Nagoya UT-72 Magnetic Mount vs VFAN Dual-Band Magnetic Mount Mobile

The VFAN edges ahead on overall composite score, but the real story is different performance on each band. The Nagoya UT-72 is a quarter-wave on VHF at 2.1 dBi, then jumps to a full-wave on UHF at 4.6 dBi. The VFAN runs slightly shorter on both: 1.4 dBi on VHF as a quarter-wave, then 5.0 dBi on UHF as a 5/8-wave. Neither antenna is compromised. The single most important difference is UHF performance, where the VFAN delivers stronger gain in the 70-centimeter band, which matters if you operate there frequently.

The Nagoya suits operators who split time evenly between VHF and UHF and want maximum 146 MHz capability. The VFAN is the pick if UHF is your primary band, or if budget matters. Both carry the same owner rating across different review counts. At 13 dollars cheaper, the VFAN's higher overall score reflects the price advantage combined with slightly better UHF electrical length. Choose the VFAN unless your VHF activity clearly outweighs UHF work.