Comet SBB-5NMO Dual-Band Mobile vs Retevis Heavy-Duty Fiberglass GMRS Mobile

The Retevis Heavy-Duty Fiberglass edges out the Comet SBB-5NMO, but only slightly, and the choice depends on your bands.

The critical difference is band coverage. The Comet is a true dual-band antenna for VHF/UHF, while the Retevis is GMRS-only at 465 MHz. The Comet's VHF performance at 0.47 wavelengths is respectable for a half-wave, though its UHF side at 1.40 wavelengths shows that classic multi-wavelength dip in gain. The Retevis, at 1.90 wavelengths on GMRS, operates in a region where multi-wavelength antennas typically deliver usable gain; its claimed 6.5 dBi is supported by its length, unlike some marketing claims.

Both cost the same. The Comet has slightly higher owner confidence at 4.8 stars from 94 reviews versus 4.5 from 146 for the Retevis, but the larger review sample on the Retevis is worth noting.

Buy the Comet SBB-5NMO if you need dual-band VHF/UHF coverage on a single antenna. Buy the Retevis Heavy-Duty if you operate exclusively on GMRS and want a longer antenna optimized for that frequency. For most operators choosing between these two, the Comet's versatility makes it the safer choice.