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RadioRanked verdict

Updated Nov 2026

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

Our pick

Diamond RH77CA (BNC)$32.99

The Diamond RH77CA is the clear winner here. The single most important difference is electrical length: at UHF, the Diamond reaches half-wave efficiency at 0.55 wavelengths with realistic gain of 2.8 dBi, while the Comet is severely compromised at only 0.06 wavelengths with -5.3 dBi. On VHF both antennas are electrically short, but the Diamond's 0.19 wavelengths is less crippled than the Comet's 0.02 wavelengths. The Comet's tiny 44 mm form factor makes it genuinely pocketable, but that advantage disappears the moment you need actual performance.

The Diamond costs six dollars less, has more than three times the review count from owners, and owners report slightly higher satisfaction. Critically, its 381 mm length is still portable on a handheld despite the dramatic performance improvement.

Buy the Comet only if pocket size absolutely trumps performance and you operate primarily on VHF where both are weak. Buy the Diamond if you actually want the antenna to work, especially on UHF where it functions as a proper half-wave radiator.

Get the Diamond RH77CA. It outperforms significantly, costs less, and owners prefer it.

By use case

Which should you buy?

  • Everyday carry on a BNC scanner, smallest stub

    The 44mm Comet keeps the radio pocketable and light, though its short electrical length limits reach.

    CH-32
  • Working a 2m repeater at the edge of range

    The Diamond's 381mm length performs better on 2m than the Comet's stub, giving noticeably stronger signal at the edge.

    RH77CA
  • 70cm-first operator working UHF repeaters

    At UHF the Diamond is close to half-wave, so it outperforms the Comet's electrically short stub by a wide margin.

    RH77CA
  • GMRS-only user on 462 and 467 MHz

    GMRS sits in UHF, where the Diamond's near half-wave element gives it a clear advantage over the Comet.

    RH77CA
  • Receive-only monitoring of nearby traffic

    Receive-only monitoring nearby needs little gain, so the Comet's stub is enough and easiest to carry.

    CH-32

Reasons to choose Comet CH-32 (BNC)

  • 13.3 in shorter to carry (44 mm vs 381 mm)

Reasons to choose Diamond RH77CA (BNC)

  • Stronger on VHF (-1.1 dBi vs -9.0 dBi at 146 MHz)
  • Stronger on UHF (2.8 dBi vs -5.3 dBi at 435 MHz)
  • Flexible, so it survives being bent

Spec battle

Spec-by-spec breakdown

Comet CH-32 (BNC)SpecDiamond RH77CA (BNC)
—
Price
$32.99
44 mm
Length
381 mm
0.02 λ, electrically short
On VHF (146 MHz)
0.19 λ, electrically short
0.06 λ, electrically short
On UHF (435 MHz)
0.55 λ, half wave
—
Claimed gain
2.15 dBi
—
Is that claim credible?
Supported by its length
BNC
Connector
BNC
whip
Type
whip
No
Flexible
Yes
45
Overall Score
79
+75% for winner
Compact, Small
size
Small
Black
color
Black
1
unitCount
0

Made your choice?

Comet CH-32 (BNC)

Check on Amazon

Diamond RH77CA (BNC)PICK

$32.99 on Amazon

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