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From: andy@aids-unix (Andy Cromarty)
Newsgroups: net.ham-radio
Subject: Re:  DUCKIE -- 5/8 WHIP.
Message-ID: <8968@brl-tgr.ARPA>
Date: Tue, 5-Mar-85 17:55:58 EST
Article-I.D.: brl-tgr.8968
Posted: Tue Mar  5 17:55:58 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 9-Mar-85 19:08:26 EST
Sender: news@brl-tgr.ARPA
Lines: 19

You're right; in fact, the difference is often more than 6dB,
since some duckies have negative gain.  My comparison was an
attempt to provide intuitive bounds on the expected performance
loss of the TH-21AT given its lower-than-average power.  In fact,
I generally carry a 5/8 wave whip with me and swap antennas when
the going gets rough, despite the bulk of a collapsed whip vs. a
duckie.

By the way, it's instructive to consider the cost-effectiveness
of amps vs. antennas for most 2m work in the same light, while
we're on the subject.  In general, if you have a 2m linear feeding
a tiny antenna you've probably wasted a lot of money.  Not only
do you get more dB of transmit gain per dollar invested from a
good antenna, but you get the same gain improvement on receive,
too.  Linears may be good for one's self-image, but if what you're
interested in is communication then there are usually some better
alternatives that could be explored first.

				Andy N6JLJ