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RadioRanked verdict

Updated Aug 2026

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

Our pick

Retevis RHD-771 (SMA-Female)$9.99

The Retevis RHD-771 is the clear winner here. Despite costing half the price, it delivers better performance where it matters most: UHF, where it reaches near 5/8 wave electrical length versus the NA-701's quarter wave. This translates to roughly 2 dB of real-world gain advantage on 435 MHz, a meaningful difference for handheld work.

The single most important differentiator is electrical length on UHF. The RHD-771's 391 mm design edges closer to optimal 5/8 wave performance, while the shorter NA-701 falls short at quarter wave. On VHF both antennas are electrically short and compromised, but this band is secondary for most handheld operators.

The NA-701 makes sense only if you need a genuinely compact antenna where 203 mm is the deciding factor. Buy the RHD-771 if you want the best balance of cost, size, and practical UHF performance from a single antenna.

The Retevis RHD-771 is the antenna to buy. It costs less, performs better on UHF, and scores higher. Unless portability demands the smallest possible package, there's no reason to choose the NA-701.

By use case

Which should you buy?

  • Budget-conscious operator upgrading from stock

    It offers superior performance and range for a significantly lower price point.

    RHD-771
  • Operator prioritizing compact size and portability

    Its shorter length makes it ideal for everyday carry or pocket radios.

    NA-701
  • Ham radio enthusiast needing maximum range/performance

    The longer whip provides a better effective electrical length and greater signal reach.

    RHD-771
  • Operator running multiple radios on a strict budget

    Its low cost makes it the best value for equipping several devices.

    RHD-771
  • User needing a good balance of size and capability

    It balances decent performance with manageable physical dimensions for general use.

    NA-701

Reasons to choose Nagoya NA-701 (SMA-Female)

  • 7.4 in shorter to carry (203 mm vs 391 mm)

Reasons to choose Retevis RHD-771 (SMA-Female)

  • 47% cheaper ($9.99 vs $18.98)
  • Stronger on VHF (-1.0 dBi vs -3.6 dBi at 146 MHz)
  • Stronger on UHF (2.9 dBi vs 0.8 dBi at 435 MHz)

Spec battle

Spec-by-spec breakdown

Nagoya NA-701 (SMA-Female)SpecRetevis RHD-771 (SMA-Female)
$18.98
Price
$9.99
203 mm
Length
391 mm
0.10 λ, electrically short
On VHF (146 MHz)
0.19 λ, electrically short
0.29 λ, quarter wave
On UHF (435 MHz)
0.57 λ, 5/8 wave
2.15 dBi
Claimed gain
2.15 dBi
Supported by its length
Is that claim credible?
Supported by its length
SMA-Female
Connector
SMA-Female
whip
Type
whip
Yes
Flexible
Yes
78
Overall Score
88
+12% for winner
Handheld Antenna
size
17.32 x 3.9 x 0.47 inches
Black
color
Black
1
unitCount
1

Made your choice?

Nagoya NA-701 (SMA-Female)

$18.98 on Amazon

Retevis RHD-771 (SMA-Female)PICK

$9.99 on Amazon

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