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RadioRanked verdict

Updated Nov 2026

ABBREE AR-805S Stubby (SMA-Female) vs Baofeng Dual-Band Whip (SMA-Female)

Our pick

Baofeng Dual-Band Whip (SMA-Female)$6.99

The Baofeng Dual-Band Whip is the clear winner at 87/100 versus the AR-805S at 49/100, and the difference matters in real-world use.

The critical differentiator is electrical length. The AR-805S is dangerously short at just 0.02 wavelengths on VHF, delivering a realistic minus 9.0 dBi instead of its claimed 3 dBi gain, an overstatement of nearly 8 dB. On UHF it fares better at 0.07 wavelengths but still underperforms. The Baofeng, at 389 mm, reaches 0.19 wavelengths on VHF and an excellent 0.56 wavelengths (nearly 5/8 wave) on UHF where it achieves realistic 2.9 dBi gain. Its claimed 2.15 dBi is honest and supported by its physical length.

Both cost roughly $7 and share the same connector type. The real-world difference is that the AR-805S will frustrate you with terrible performance on both bands, while the Baofeng delivers usable performance, especially on UHF. The Baofeng is suitable for anyone wanting a functional rubber duck antenna. The AR-805S has no practical application for amateur radio communication; it's overspecced in claims and underspecced in design. Buy the Baofeng.

By use case

Which should you buy?

  • Everyday carry where pocket size matters most

    The 50mm stubby stays out of the way in a pocket or bag, though its reach falls well short of the longer whip.

    AR-805S
  • Budget buyer for close-range simplex chat

    It costs less than the alternative and covers short local contacts adequately for casual everyday use.

    AR-805S
  • Operator working a repeater at the edge of coverage

    Its longer element is far less electrically short on both bands, which helps most when the signal is weak.

    Baofeng Dual-Band Whip (SMA-Female)
  • 70cm-first operator wanting better UHF performance

    Its near five-eighths wave element on UHF radiates far more effectively than the stubby's very short length allows.

    Baofeng Dual-Band Whip (SMA-Female)
  • 2m-focused operator wanting more VHF reach

    Even on 2m, the longer whip is much less electrically short than the stubby, so it radiates noticeably more.

    Baofeng Dual-Band Whip (SMA-Female)

Reasons to choose ABBREE AR-805S Stubby (SMA-Female)

  • 0% cheaper ($6.98 vs $6.99)
  • 13.3 in shorter to carry (50 mm vs 389 mm)

Reasons to choose Baofeng Dual-Band Whip (SMA-Female)

  • Stronger on VHF (-1.1 dBi vs -9.0 dBi at 146 MHz)
  • Stronger on UHF (2.9 dBi vs -4.9 dBi at 435 MHz)
  • Gain claim its length supports (the other overstates by about 7.9 dB)

Spec battle

Spec-by-spec breakdown

ABBREE AR-805S Stubby (SMA-Female)SpecBaofeng Dual-Band Whip (SMA-Female)
$6.98
Price
$6.99
50 mm
Length
389 mm
0.02 λ, electrically short
On VHF (146 MHz)
0.19 λ, electrically short
0.07 λ, electrically short
On UHF (435 MHz)
0.56 λ, 5/8 wave
3 dBi
Claimed gain
2.15 dBi
Overstated by about 7.9 dB
Is that claim credible?
Supported by its length
SMA-Female
Connector
SMA-Female
whip
Type
whip
Yes
Flexible
Yes
49
Overall Score
87
+79% for winner
Black(1.96-Inch)
color
Orange
2
unitCount
1

Made your choice?

ABBREE AR-805S Stubby (SMA-Female)

$6.98 on Amazon

Baofeng Dual-Band Whip (SMA-Female)PICK

$6.99 on Amazon

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