On Tue, 4 Jan 2011 19:38:17 -0800, "Ron Hinds"
wrote:

Hi Richard,

Thanks for the detailed response. The Kenwood TH-F6A radio I intend to use
this antenna with is a handheld with 5W max output power. It is a 2m, 1.25m
and 70cm transceiver, with a separate wideband, all mode receiver built in
that has a capability from 0.1 - ~1300 MHz.

http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Communicat...rtables/TH-F6A

Hi Ron,

Generally speaking, the more functionality, the more tepid the
utility. However, as a 2m, 1.25m and 70cm transceiver paired with the
antenna you describe, you will have every opportunity to do quite
well. What could improve things? Raise the antenna higher! (No
matter how high it might be.) This is, after all, line-of-sight
operation. I can get into my buddy's 2M repeater 10 miles away, from
my basement with 125mW into an HT antenna; others that are closer have
to step out onto their back porch.

With that in mind, what is your opinion of the adequacy of this antenna?

Above the 70cm band it is going to be deaf.

As I introduced my last response, this forum's best participation
comes through experimentation and construction. You could easily and
cheaply build your own 2m, 1.25m and 70cm transceiver antenna(s). The
difficult part may be in making them robust, or building something
similar as multi-band - nevertheless, building one that is adequate
takes no more than a simple SO-238 socket and five pieces of heavy
copper wire. A more elaborate one would have more wire and would
challenge you for insuring its robustness simply because you would
have to brace the extra wire in what is called a Discone Antenna
design.

The antenna you are contemplating is based on the Discone which is
notable for being multiband and very simple (although too many
websites mystify it - ask questions here).

Returning to the deafness above 70cm, this wavelength is verging on
being so small, that it would be a sin NOT to build your own antenna
for those high bands. This is something you can do at the kitchen
table in an evening during commercial breaks.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC