RadioRanked verdict
Updated Nov 2026Midland MXTA25 Ghost Antenna vs Retevis Heavy-Duty Fiberglass GMRS Mobile
Our pick
Retevis Heavy-Duty Fiberglass GMRS Mobile$79.99
The Retevis Heavy-Duty Fiberglass is the clear winner for GMRS mobile use.
The critical difference is electrical length. The Midland Ghost at 0.14 wavelengths is electrically short and severely compromised, delivering realistic performance around negative gain. The Retevis at 1.90 wavelengths is a proper multi-wavelength design with realistic gain of 6.3 dBi, closely matching its claimed 6.5 dBi specification. This translates to meaningfully better transmission and reception in real-world operation.
The Ghost sacrifices performance for compact mounting, which only makes sense if you absolutely cannot fit a longer antenna. Its 89 mm length is genuinely convenient, but that convenience costs you roughly 7 dB of performance compared to the Retevis. The $20 price difference is negligible against that performance gap.
Buy the Midland Ghost only if vehicle or mounting constraints absolutely demand a short antenna. Buy the Retevis Heavy-Duty Fiberglass if you want functional GMRS mobile performance, which is the case for most users.
Get the Retevis. It's properly engineered for the job and priced reasonably for what you're getting.
By use case
Which should you buy?
Daily driver parking in garages and car washes
Its 89mm length clears low-clearance spots, though its realistic gain is well below typical mobile antennas.
MXTA25Fixed GMRS base-of-operations mobile install
Its 1224mm rigid length delivers far stronger electrical performance where reach matters most on fixed installs.
Retevis Heavy-Duty Fiberglass GMRS MobileBudget-first buyer wanting the lowest entry price
It costs less than the alternative and suits buyers who value a minimal profile over range.
MXTA25Overlanding rig already carrying a full-size whip
Its longer rigid build fits off-road rigs that already accommodate full-size whips and need real GMRS reach.
Retevis Heavy-Duty Fiberglass GMRS MobileHiker packing light for POTA activations
At 89mm it is far easier to carry and stow than a 1224mm rigid whip.
MXTA25Operator chasing distant GMRS repeaters at range edge
Its electrical length gives a meaningfully better chance of hitting distant repeaters than the compact option.
Retevis Heavy-Duty Fiberglass GMRS Mobile
Reasons to choose Midland MXTA25 Ghost Antenna
- 25% cheaper ($59.99 vs $79.99)
- Lower profile by 44.7 in (89 mm vs 1224 mm)
Reasons to choose Retevis Heavy-Duty Fiberglass GMRS Mobile
- Stronger on GMRS (6.3 dBi vs -0.9 dBi at 465 MHz)
Spec battle
Spec-by-spec breakdown
Made your choice?
Midland MXTA25 Ghost Antenna
$59.99 on AmazonRetevis Heavy-Duty Fiberglass GMRS MobilePICK
$79.99 on AmazonMore head-to-heads