Antenna Comparison

The BNC antennas require a SMA male to BNC female adapter: https://amzn.to/3WPCc56

The popular Baofeng UV5R needs a SMA female to VNC female adapter to use the same BNC antennas. Be careful to order the right adapter!

1. Antenna that comes with TinySA Ultra (Extendable antenna with one pivot)

   1. One of these snapped apart while I was fiddling with it

2. https://amzn.to/4aNU0DC (Extendable antenna with one pivot)

3. https://amzn.to/40KiEQZ (dual band 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz)

4. https://amzn.to/40MGc7S (BNC, dual band 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz)

5. https://amzn.to/40UPj6y (Meant for scanners)

6. https://amzn.to/40QBzJW (Extendable antenna with two pivots)

7. https://amzn.to/4161VZC (Gooseneck for VHF/UHF)

The LNA is active for all of these tests. Some local 2.4GHz signals are visible even without the antenna connected because of the short distances involved. Likely my own WiFi and not much more.

LNA stands for Low Noise Amplifier, it is used to increase the sensitivity of incoming signals.

Antennas Tested

Antenna Results, Tiny SA Ultra+ ZS407, 0GHz to 6GHz

Here are individual tests on these antennas on with a smaller scope. On screen are the 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz bands. You can see when the antenna is connected on the waterfall when the detected signals suddenly increase.

Antenna 1

Antenna 1, closeup

The default antenna broke in my hands while fiddling with it at my desk. I did not put much pressure, I was just moving it back and forth for less then five minutes.

Antenna 2

Antenna 2, closeup

Antenna 3

Antenna 3, closeup

Antenna 4

Antenna 4, closeup

Antenna 5

Antenna 5, closeup

Antenna 6

Antenna 6, closeup

Antenna 7

Antenna 7, closeup

Conclusion

The extendable antennas as shown where collapsed, but extending them improves sub 1GHz reception.

Different antennas will have better reception on different frequencies bands. For general purpose use, antenna 6 worked excellent and could be folded across the device for storage without removing the antenna. Antenna 4 works great for 5.8GHz and 2.5GHz while also being a BNC antenna. Antenna 5 can be used for VHF and UHF, not the best reception but easily stored.

Recommended BNC general purpose antenna: https://amzn.to/40QBzJW

Recommended BNC Wi-Fi antenna: https://amzn.to/40MGc7S

Recommended BNC VHF/UHF antenna: https://amzn.to/40UPj6y

BNC adapter necessary to use these antennas on this device: https://amzn.to/3WPCc56

Recommended antenna folded over device without detaching.