RadioRanked verdict
Updated Nov 2026Abbree AR-152 Folding Tactical Antenna vs ABBREE AR-805S Stubby (SMA-Female)
Our pick
Abbree AR-152 Folding Tactical Antenna$14.98
The AR-152 is the clear winner. For handheld operation on VHF, it delivers genuine half-wave performance without needing a ground plane, while the AR-805S is electrically tiny on both bands and cannot overcome its physical limitations.
The critical difference is electrical length. The AR-152 reaches 0.53 wavelengths on VHF, supporting realistic 2.6 dBi gain. The AR-805S at 50 mm is only 0.02 wavelengths on VHF, yielding approximately negative 9.0 dBi. This gap cannot be closed by design tricks or marketing claims. Both manufacturers overstate performance, but the AR-805S does so egregiously, claiming 3 dBi from an antenna that physics limits to negative 5 dBi at best.
On price, the AR-805S saves $3. That matters only if you accept drastically worse performance for slightly better portability, which rarely makes sense in amateur radio.
Buy the AR-152 if you want functional VHF performance from a pocket antenna. Buy the AR-805S only if your radio already has a decent internal antenna and you need a ceremonial external connector.
Get the AR-152. It's inexpensive, performs as claimed within reason, and actually works.
By use case
Which should you buy?
Budget buyer wanting the lowest price
It costs less than the alternative, making it the pick for buyers who want the cheapest possible replacement whip.
AR-805SEveryday carry where discretion matters most
Its 50mm length keeps a handheld compact in a pocket or on a belt without adding bulk.
AR-805SPack-based POTA or SOTA operator
Its 1080mm folding design gives a longer electrical length on VHF, which helps reach from a field setup.
AR-152Stretching simplex range on 2m
Its VHF half-wave element performs far better than the electrically short stubby for reaching distant stations.
AR-152Short-range chat around town
For nearby simplex contacts where bulk matters more than reach, the stubby is adequate and easier to carry.
AR-805SWorking a repeater at the edge of coverage
A half-wave VHF element offers meaningfully better signal than an electrically short stub when reaching a distant repeater.
AR-152
Reasons to choose Abbree AR-152 Folding Tactical Antenna
- Stronger on VHF (2.6 dBi vs -9.0 dBi at 146 MHz)
- Stronger on UHF (-1.0 dBi vs -4.9 dBi at 435 MHz)
Reasons to choose ABBREE AR-805S Stubby (SMA-Female)
- 53% cheaper ($6.98 vs $14.98)
- 40.6 in shorter to carry (50 mm vs 1080 mm)
Spec battle
Spec-by-spec breakdown
Made your choice?
Abbree AR-152 Folding Tactical AntennaPICK
$14.98 on AmazonABBREE AR-805S Stubby (SMA-Female)
$6.98 on AmazonKeep researching
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