Comet Dual-Band HT Antennas SMA-24J

I own both this antenna as well as the more ubiquitous Taiwanese copy, the Nagoya NA24. Got one of each for two radios and thought I'd give them a head-to-head. Mind you, I do not have an antenna analyzer, but I appreciate a previous reviewer that posted a sweep of this one, and Miklor who has reviewed the Nagoya.I compared these (along with several other antennas) on FM with distant analog repeaters requesting detailed radio checks, but for a more quantitative comparison, used my local DMR repeater's call watch to get RSSI values.As said in the title, this comes out great for VHF, very clear signal both TX and RX. I can pick up, and be heard well, on some repeaters ~35 miles away with a HT. The Nagoya comes out about on par, and both were a large improvement over one of the better stock rubber ducks, which itself is an improvement over what comes on Baofengs (and what you might have if you're looking for this antenna).On UHF, reports came back readable, but the digital meter doesn't lie, the OEM rubber ducks actually beat the long ones out, and the best of the bunch was actually a Motorola. What I didn't expect was how good it was on GMRS, which is a bit higher than the amateur 70cm band—again, hitting a repeater 35 miles away with great clarity. I suspected that based on the earlier posted sweep, but was pleasantly surprised. Nagoya has a longer GMRS-tuned antenna, but not one of the flexible whip style ones like this.Build quality is good; no sign of any stress around the connector cap and it looks like they've reinforced it with a slightly thicker vinyl jacket. Made in Japan, if that matters. Flexible enough to roll up in your pocket. Only downside is it tends to flap around and smack you in the face.

One of the best HT antennas I have ever purchased. I now own 4.

Bought this to put on the Baofeng uv-5r. At the Time I paid about $30 for it in early 2014. As noted, fit is a little off, it does not seat against radio housing and there will be a gap. I filed the connector a little and this helped, but I still use a rubber washer between the base of antenna and the radio. You don't need a washer, but it looks and most likely functions better. Replaced stock rubber duck with this antenna. Rubber duck is not awful, but not great either. This antenna is great! The money is worth it. Can hit repeaters that I can not with stock rubber duck. Audio is good. Antenna is very flexible and slim.....good and bad. Good because it bends and doesn't need to stay straight.....hits something, it bends and goes back instead of putting stress on radio. Bad because it will take your eye out if your not cautious. I also have a very small rubber duck ( retech RHA-601) good for very short range use and takes little space.....only 1.5''. It's cool, but would not buy again....best for receive only or very short range tx. Might be good for simplex car to car.....something short range......it gets hot transmitting 5w. But I digresss, the sma24j is good to go. Keep it in the car to attach to HT when I need more than the stock duck. It is so flexible that it does sway back and forth a lot and may cause some noise on tx if it is swinging around.....not an issue most of the time. Would be curious to see how it compares to a Nagoya 771 or the like. If you have the $ I would buy the comet no questions asked, it's nice.

A dissapointing purchase from what is normally an outstanding product manufacturer. The OEM rubber-duck performed better than this POS. Returned!

SMA ratings go off the mount on the RADIO, not what the antenna looks like. Take a good look at the second pic of this item. Even though you see "male" threads sticking out, this is considered a FEMALE mount (since the mount on your radio is FEMALE). Note: I didn't understand the difference between SMA -male and SMA-female. The SMA connection is the connection on your RADIO, not on the antenna.Probably general knowledge for most, but I didn't know this and accidentally ordered an SMA-female antenna, assuming that meant it had a female receiver on the end. WRONG!Here's how to guarantee you order the right antenna:1) unscrew the antenna from your HT2) look at the threads - if the radio has a post with male threads sticking out (like a bolt vs a nut), you need the SMA-24, which is an SMA-male antenna (which will have a "female" receptacle on the end)3) if the radio has an indentation with female threads (like a nut vs a bolt), you need the SMA-24J, which is an SMA-female antenna (which wil have a "male" receptacel on the end) Clear as mud?Basically, look at the second picture. That's what you get when you order the SMA-24J.I have a Baofeng UV-3R (Mk2), and despite the description saying this is for most Baofengs, I must have found the one exception. My UV-3R (mks) has a male connection, meaning this antenna didn't fit, and I had to exchange it for the SMA-24. Ironically, the UV-3R+ has a female connection (opposite of mine). Go figure.

I am involved in developing the emergency comm plan for my local neighborhoods. The twist on my mission is inspiring people to get their HAM license ($10 testing fee), buy a radio (usually they get a inexpensive Baofeng (either UV-5R or BF-F8HP), and connect with their neighbors. These are average folks who have no interest in HAM radio outside of a last ditch communication device. My organization programs their radios, shows them how to hit repeaters, engage in simplex comm, and relay messages from neighbors. This is the antenna we recommend most highly.The antenna that comes with the UV-5R is awful. The one that comes with the BF-F8HP is actually good for what it is. The Nagoya NA-771 is probably five times better than the stock antenna. This Comet is probably 10 times better. To demonstrate, the stock UV-5R on the 8 watt BF-F8HP will not even open a repeater that is 8 miles from my house; the Nagoya antenna on the same radio allows me to use repeaters 8-12 miles away; with this Comet I am reliably and clearly using a repeater 35 miles away. It is every bot worth the money.