2m · 70cm
Bands
2012
Introduced
Frequency144-148 MHz, 430-450 MHz, RX to ~900 MHz
Typeflexible whip
Gain+6 dB relative to stock HT antenna (Diamond rating method) dBi (Diamond rates HT antennas as gain over stock antenna, not absolute dBi. +6 dB over stock is roughly 3.5-4.5 dBi absolute depending on the stock antenna.)
Polarizationvertical
ModesFM, SSB, CW, digital
Length38 cm
Weight22 g (0.8 oz)
ConnectorSMA-Male (fits Japanese HTs with SMA-Female jack: Kenwood, Icom, Yaesu, Baofeng, etc.)
MountHT direct
Year2012
Connectors
feedpointSMA-Male. Note: may not seat fully on some Icom HTs (O-ring spacer may help).
dual-band HT antenna upgrade 15 inches (38cm) flexible whip +6 dB over stock HT antenna (Diamond rating) 10W SMA-Male connector extended RX: 120-900 MHz (scanner use) gold-plated connector pin
Strengths

One of Diamond's most popular HT antenna upgrades: about +6 dB over a stock HT antenna, a noticeable gain in range and receive sensitivity. A 15-inch flexible whip with extended receive from 120-900 MHz for scanner use, and an SMA-Male connector that fits most Japanese-style HTs (Kenwood, Icom, Yaesu) and Chinese HTs (Baofeng). A gold-plated connector, with Diamond consistency and no counterfeit problem unlike some Nagoya stock.

Weaknesses

15 inches is long on a small HT (it may snag or flex in a chest pocket). SMA-Male only (no BNC in this model; see the SRH77B). A 10W limit. It costs more than a Nagoya NA-771 for broadly similar performance. It may not seat fully on some Icom portables (an O-ring spacer may help).

Verdict

A reliable HT antenna upgrade. The SRH77CA delivers a genuine improvement over any stock HT antenna, with Diamond consistency and no counterfeit lottery. It is a common upgrade for any SMA-Male HT.

The Diamond SRH77CA is one of the most popular aftermarket handheld antennas in amateur radio, a flexible dual-band whip for 2 meters and 70 centimeters that replaces the short, inefficient rubber duck most radios ship with. At about 15.6 inches it is considerably longer than a stock antenna, and that length gives it meaningfully better performance for transmitting and receiving weak signals.

It uses an SMA-male connector that fits the majority of modern handhelds, receives well up to around 900 MHz (handy for scanner use), and handles up to 10 watts. Marketing often quotes a large gain figure relative to a stock antenna, but in real terms its gain is modest; the practical benefit comes mostly from being a properly sized, efficient half-wave-class whip rather than a heavily loaded stub.

It is a current product and a near-default upgrade for handheld owners. The matching vehicle antenna in Diamond's lineup is the SG7900A, and for a base station the compact X50A is the entry-level vertical.