RadioRanked verdict
Nagoya
Nagoya NA-771 (SMA-Female)
If you own a Baofeng-style handheld with an SMA-Female jack, the NA-771 is the single best cheap upgrade you can make. It clearly outperforms the stock antenna for around twenty dollars.
Proprietary RR score
How we scored it
Performance is derived from the antenna's length in wavelengths on each band it covers, not from the advertised gain. How we score →
Length versus wavelength
What 396 mm Buys You
An antenna radiates according to its length measured in wavelengths, not according to the number on the packaging. Here is where this one lands on each band it covers.
| Band | Wavelength | This antenna | Works out as |
|---|---|---|---|
| VHF146 MHz | 2053 mm | 0.19 λ | electrically short |
| UHF435 MHz | 689 mm | 0.57 λ | 5/8 wave |
Decision helper
Is this antenna right for you?
Yes, if you're…
- ✓Baofeng UV-5R and similar SMA-Female radios
- ✓New hams making their first antenna upgrade
- ✓Better repeater and simplex reach for little money
Skip it, if you're…
- ✕Radios with an SMA-Male jack (get the SMA-Male version)
- ✕Anyone wanting a compact, low-profile antenna
Tradeoffs
The good and the bad
What we like
- Noticeable improvement over a stock rubber-duck antenna
- Flexible and durable
- Cheap and widely available
- Fits most Baofeng and BTECH radios (SMA-Female)
What we don't
- At 15.6 inches it is long and a bit unwieldy on a belt
- Counterfeits are common; buy from a reputable seller
- Gain is a modest real-world improvement, not magic
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Overview
The Nagoya NA-771 is the antenna that more new operators buy than any other. It is a 15.6-inch flexible dual-band whip with an SMA-Female connector, which is the jack used by the Baofeng UV-5R and most of its clones.
The real-world gain over a stock rubber-duck antenna is noticeable on both 2 meters and 70 centimeters, which is why it is the standard first upgrade. The published gain is modest (around 2.15 dBi on 70cm), so treat it as a solid improvement rather than a miracle. Counterfeits are common, so buy from a reputable seller.
Specifications
| Frequency bands | VHF, UHF |
| Gain | 3.00 dBi |
| Connector | SMA-Female |
| Length | 396 mm |
| Antenna type | whip |
| Flexible | Yes |
| Weight | 53 g |
| size | Handheld Antenna |
| color | Black |
| unitCount | 1 |
Fits These Radios
Radios we track that take a SMA-Female antenna and cover this antenna's bands. Top-scoring picks first.
Key Features
- 15.6-inch flexible dual-band whip (144/430 MHz)
- Manufacturer-rated up to 3 dBi gain (2.15 dBi on 70cm)
- SMA-Female connector for Baofeng-style radios (UV-5R, BF-F8HP and similar)
- Noticeable real-world gain over a stock rubber-duck antenna
- Genuine Nagoya build; counterfeits are common, buy from a reputable seller