Review on TWAYRDIO TW-771D SMA Female CS Tactical Antenna - 11.8in, 144/430Mhz, Fiberglass, Gooseneck - for Baofeng UV-5R Two-Way Radio Walkie Talkie by Toby Galbraith

Handy, light-duty tactical antenna I bought this antenna for my scanner that comes with the bug pouch. We've had wildfires in the area that came very close and I've found that the quickest and most reliable way to find out what's going on is to dial in the correct frequencies. For this application, the antenna won't make much of a difference. From what I understand the original concept was to wear it on the back with an extension to raise the antenna for longer range. I can imagine some outdoor recreation where this setting would make a difference, but this particular product doesn't seem durable enough to me to withstand serious abuse. And traditionally these are the most difficult moments of radio equipment failure. The antenna is made of metal and rubber. The flexible part in the middle is a gooseneck, similar in material and appearance to (cheaper) microphone stands. The tip and the actual part of the antenna are made of hard rubber. Flexible but not soft like some roots. I'm assuming the cable is screwed. The base is also made of metal. There is nothing to complain about in terms of processing. The product came in a plastic case with a rubber seal. There is no box. That thing is heavy! 65g is a lot when trying to reduce carrying weight. However, this does not make the antenna strong. The lighter, more flexible materials don't match the $16 antenna, which is a fair price considering it's comfortable to use and well-made. Looking at this, the part where the antenna mates with the gooseneck will break first. It is located between the metal end of the flexible piece and the rubber tip of the plastic antenna. It just seems like it could break if the wrong force and leverage is applied. A metal base with a plug, it seems to me, can potentially damage the radio. With the extension cable that is of course not a problem. My biggest problem is that it bends backwards. I really wish it stayed in place so you can bend it when the radio is boxed. It folds up into a bag, just what I wanted. I don't think it will permanently replace my 16" Nagoya whip, but I might keep it in the car as a useful option. On the other hand, the whip is annoying as hell. Solutions.