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RadioRanked verdict

Updated Nov 2026

ABBREE 18.8-inch Foldable Tactical (SMA-Female) vs Nagoya NA-701 (SMA-Female)

Our pick

ABBREE 18.8-inch Foldable Tactical (SMA-Female)$8.98

The ABBREE 18.8-inch is the clear winner here. Its electrical length at UHF reaches 0.69 wavelengths, delivering genuine 2.5 dBi performance on the 70cm band. The Nagoya NA-701 is electrically short at both bands, with particularly poor VHF performance at -3.6 dBi, yet both antennas claim the same 2.15 dBi gain. The NA-701's claim is overstated given its actual electrical length.

The single most important differentiator is electrical length. The ABBREE's longer physical form translates to useful wavelength fractions at working frequencies, while the NA-701's compact 203mm design leaves it compromised on VHF and mediocre on UHF. This is not about marketing hype; it is fundamental physics.

Buy the ABBREE if you want a versatile antenna that performs credibly on both bands without breaking the bank. The NA-701 makes sense only if extreme portability in a shirt pocket outweighs performance concerns, and even then, primarily for UHF-only use.

Get the ABBREE. It delivers real performance at a third of the price, and the extra 2.75 inches of length is worth carrying for the capability you gain on 70cm and the acceptable VHF operation you preserve.

By use case

Which should you buy?

  • 70cm-first operator working DMR repeaters

    Its 5/8 wave UHF element gives realistically around 2.5dBi, a clear edge over the short whip on 70cm.

    ABBREE 18.8-inch Foldable Tactical (SMA-Female)
  • Budget-minded buyer wanting a first upgrade

    Costs less than the alternative while offering a longer, folding design with better UHF performance.

    ABBREE 18.8-inch Foldable Tactical (SMA-Female)
  • 2m operator wanting stronger VHF performance

    Its quarter-wave VHF element is realistically about 3.5dB better than the short whip on 2m.

    ABBREE 18.8-inch Foldable Tactical (SMA-Female)
  • Everyday carry with a small handheld

    Its short length stays compact on a belt, and daily carry matters more than extra reach.

    NA-701
  • Hiker or POTA operator with a pack radio

    Its compact length suits a pack-mounted radio, where it trades some reach for a smaller profile.

    NA-701

Reasons to choose ABBREE 18.8-inch Foldable Tactical (SMA-Female)

  • 53% cheaper ($8.98 vs $18.98)
  • Stronger on VHF (-0.1 dBi vs -3.6 dBi at 146 MHz)
  • Stronger on UHF (2.5 dBi vs 0.8 dBi at 435 MHz)

Reasons to choose Nagoya NA-701 (SMA-Female)

  • 10.8 in shorter to carry (203 mm vs 478 mm)

Spec battle

Spec-by-spec breakdown

ABBREE 18.8-inch Foldable Tactical (SMA-Female)SpecNagoya NA-701 (SMA-Female)
$8.98
Price
$18.98
478 mm
Length
203 mm
0.23 λ, quarter wave
On VHF (146 MHz)
0.10 λ, electrically short
0.69 λ, 5/8 wave
On UHF (435 MHz)
0.29 λ, quarter wave
2.15 dBi
Claimed gain
2.15 dBi
Supported by its length
Is that claim credible?
Supported by its length
SMA-Female
Connector
SMA-Female
folding
Type
whip
Yes
Flexible
Yes
89
Overall Score
78
+14% for winner
Black
size
Handheld Antenna
Black
color
Black
1
unitCount
1

Made your choice?

ABBREE 18.8-inch Foldable Tactical (SMA-Female)PICK

$8.98 on Amazon

Nagoya NA-701 (SMA-Female)

$18.98 on Amazon

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