Nagoya NA-701 (SMA-Female) vs Nagoya NA-771 (SMA-Female)

The NA-771 is the clear winner for handheld radio use, particularly on UHF.

The most important difference is electrical length. On VHF, both antennas are electrically short and compromise performance, but the NA-771's -1.0 dBi is noticeably better than the NA-701's -3.6 dBi. On UHF, the NA-771 reaches nearly 5/8 wavelength with realistic 2.9 dBi gain, while the NA-701 is merely a quarter wave at 0.8 dBi. The NA-771's claimed 3 dBi is optimistic but close to reality; the NA-701's 2.15 dBi claim overstates what a quarter-wave antenna actually delivers.

The 193 mm length difference matters significantly. The NA-701 suits operators who prioritize portability and accept VHF/UHF compromises equally. The NA-771 is better for anyone who operates primarily on UHF or needs noticeably improved performance on both bands, with only a modest length penalty and negligible price difference.

Buy the NA-701 only if pocket space is critical and you accept weaker performance. Buy the NA-771 if you want meaningfully better real-world performance for less than three dollars more and can tolerate a slightly longer whip.