Comet CH-32 (BNC) vs Diamond RH77CA (BNC)

The Diamond RH77CA is the clear winner here. It delivers genuinely useful performance where it matters most.

The critical difference is electrical length. The RH77CA reaches half-wave efficiency on UHF at 435 MHz, achieving a realistic 2.8 dBi gain. The CH-32 remains severely compromised on both bands, delivering -9.0 dBi on VHF and -5.3 dBi on UHF due to its stubby 44 mm length. On a handheld radio, that gap translates directly to noticeably weaker reception and transmission. The RH77CA's 381 mm length is engineered specifically for this, while the CH-32 appears optimized for compactness rather than performance.

The RH77CA also undercuts the Comet on price by fourteen dollars while substantially outperforming it. Its flexible construction is practical for field use without sacrificing the electrical properties that matter.

The Comet CH-32 might appeal only to users whose primary concern is pocket portability over actual communication effectiveness, though even then, the RH77CA's modest 381 mm length isn't prohibitive for most applications.

Buy the Diamond RH77CA unless you absolutely cannot tolerate anything longer than 44 mm. For everyone else, it's the only sensible choice between these two.