Total posts : 45366
The 102″ whip is an awesome antenna. Which is better? The 102″, just by the fact the it is longer than most top loaded (fiberglass)whips, will typically out perform most fiberglass antennas. There are, however, some top-loaded antennas that perform just as well. The SOTT series antenna from Everhardt performs as well as 102″ whips. There is always advantages and drawbacks. If one product was the answer, there wouldn’t be different styles out there to choose from. It depends on its usage and any other specific limitations that might apply to your system. As far as a barrier to dampen the radiation properties of the antenna, the thin plastic coating around the wire wrapped fiberglass is hardly cause for concern. Placement on the vehicle, proper install, and proper tuning are your biggest concerns. Most of your radiation pattern will be affected by reflection from the counterpoise, ie your vehicle itself. Fiberglass antennas aren’t intended for boat usage. Take a look at the majority of semi trucks on the highway. Probably 75% have a co-phase set up of fiberglass whips on the mirrors. The typical boat application (if not for marine radio which is a different band from CB all together) would be a no ground plane antenna intended for use on non-metalic craft which have no metal for counterpoise. Those antennas will get you on the air but with very limity range. There are too many variables in everyone’s posts to try and explain them all. But I hope it has at least helped a little.
