RadioRanked verdict
Nagoya
Nagoya UT-72 Magnetic Mount
The easiest way to put a proper antenna on a car for a Baofeng or BTECH radio, and also a sensible first mag-mount for a mobile rig. It needs a metal surface, and the buyer should confirm the seller is BTECH. For a permanent install, an NMO whip such as the Comet SS-460SBNMO is the next step.
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 515 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 | 0.25 λ | quarter wave |
| UHF435 MHz | 689 mm | 0.75 λ | full wave |
Decision helper
Is this antenna right for you?
Yes, if you're…
- ✓First vehicle antenna for a Baofeng or BTECH handheld or mobile
- ✓Temporary or rental-vehicle installs that cannot be drilled
- ✓Home use on a metal sheet or baking tray as a desk antenna
Skip it, if you're…
- ✕Anyone who only wants a better whip on the handheld itself (the Nagoya NA-771 is for that)
- ✕Permanent installs that need an NMO mount
- ✕Vehicles with a fiberglass or composite roof and no metal to grip
Tradeoffs
The good and the bad
What we like
- Complete kit: whip, magnet, 13 ft coax, PL-259 and an SO-239 to SMA-Female jumper
- Fits both mobile radios (PL-259) and Baofeng or BTECH handhelds (via the jumper)
- Miklor's bench review on a car roof found a smooth match across VHF and UHF, ham and GMRS
- Covers both ham and GMRS use with the same whip
What we don't
- Needs real metal under the magnet: a quarter-wave on 2m depends on the ground plane
- Nagoya publishes only a 1.7 to 3.5 dBi range, not per-band gain
- Counterfeits exist, so buy from BTECH, Nagoya's US distributor
- Length is quoted differently across listings; treat it as about 20 inches
Ready to buy?
Fast Prime shipping, no-questions-asked returns through Amazon.
Overview
The UT-72 is a complete magnetic-mount kit: a roughly 20-inch stainless whip with a loading coil, a 3.25-inch rare-earth magnet with a rubber pad, 13 ft of RG-58A/U coax ending in a PL-259, and an SO-239 to SMA-Female jumper. The PL-259 fits a mobile radio's SO-239 jack, and the jumper lets it feed Baofeng and BTECH-style handhelds. It is rated for 80 W. Nagoya publishes a range of 1.7 to 3.5 dBi but no per-band figures.
On our length analysis it is 0.25 wavelengths on 2m and 0.75 on 70cm. A quarter-wave on 2m needs metal under it: Nagoya says it requires a metal ground plane, and Miklor's bench review, with the antenna centered on a car roof with about 2 ft of metal around it, found a smooth match across VHF and UHF, ham and GMRS. A baking sheet works as a stop-gap, with higher SWR reported (about 1.7).
Counterfeits of this antenna exist. This listing is sold by BTECH, Nagoya's US distributor, so check the seller before you buy.
Specifications
| Frequency bands | VHF, UHF |
| Connector | PL-259 |
| Length | 515 mm |
| Antenna type | mobile |
| size | Base / Mobile Antenna |
| color | Black |
| unitCount | 2 |
Key Features
- About 20 in (515 mm) stainless whip with super loading coil
- 3.25 in rare-earth magnet with rubber pad
- 13 ft RG-58A/U coax with PL-259, plus SO-239 to SMA-Female jumper
- 0.25 wavelengths on 2m, 0.75 wavelengths on 70cm
- 80 W max input, VSWR 1.5 or less (Nagoya's figures)
- Tuned for 140 to 148 MHz and 420 to 450 MHz