Comet SMA-24J (SMA-Female) vs Nagoya NA-701 (SMA-Female)

The Nagoya NA-701 is the better choice for most users, despite the Comet's superior UHF performance.

The critical differentiator is VHF performance. The SMA-24J operates at only 0.22 wavelengths on VHF, delivering a realistic -0.4 dBi, while the NA-701's electrically short design at 0.10 wavelengths produces -3.6 dBi. Neither excels, but the Comet's marginal advantage hardly justifies its cost. On UHF, the tables turn: the SMA-24J reaches 0.65 wavelengths for 2.9 dBi versus the NA-701's quarter-wave 0.8 dBi. Both have realistic gain, though the Comet's 3.5 dBi claimed figure is somewhat optimistic.

The NA-701's portability is a genuine advantage for handheld radio users who value pocket-friendly length and weight, and at nineteen dollars it costs eleven dollars less. The SMA-24J suits operators prioritizing UHF performance or those working primarily on 435 MHz where its 5/8-wave design shines.

For general-purpose amateur radio use on a handheld transceiver covering both bands equally, choose the Nagoya NA-701. If your operations center on UHF frequencies, the Comet SMA-24J's extra gain warrants the premium.