Comet SMA-24J (SMA-Female) vs HYS-771N Dual-Band Whip (SMA-Female)

The Comet SMA-24J is the better all-around performer. Its longer physical length delivers genuine advantages where they matter most: on VHF, it achieves quarter-wave efficiency at 146 MHz while the HYS-771N falls short at 0.19 wavelengths, creating a measurable 0.6 dB deficit on that band. Both antennas perform identically on UHF at 2.9 dBi, but the Comet's superior VHF characteristics make it the stronger choice for true dual-band work.

The single most important differentiator is electrical length on VHF. The Comet's quarter-wave design at 146 MHz fundamentally outperforms the HYS-771N's electrically short configuration, where compromise is unavoidable regardless of claimed specifications.

Buy the Comet SMA-24J if you use VHF regularly or value balanced performance across both bands. Buy the HYS-771N if your primary focus is UHF with only occasional VHF use, or if you need the absolute smallest footprint and lowest price.

The Comet's higher score of 84 versus 75 reflects the normalized ranking, but real-world performance tips toward the Comet for most users. The extra dollar investment delivers noticeable VHF improvement that justifies the step up.