Okay, but could we not then make an additional case for when the loaded antenna might outperform a whip in the same location?
For instance on a tall SUV the whip likely would out perform a well designed loaded antenna, but on a low riding sedan the loaded antenna would put more radiation at the upper 15° of the antenna, an area where the longer whip is less effective, giving the loaded antenna the advantage. In the graphic the shaded area clearly shows advantage in radiation strength for the loaded antenna well along its upper length.
I know most are saying the whip in any case outperforms the loaded antenna, but unless the radiation strength of an antenna means something other than what affects output/field strength I have much more to learn than what I was thinking.
The ARRL Handbook said - "the coil “forces” much
more current into the top section than would flow in the
equivalent section of a full 90º long antenna. This occurs
as a result of the extremely high voltage that appears at
the top of the loading coil. This higher current flow
results in more radiation than would occur from the
equivalent section of a quarter-wave antenna."
You said
Yes. I get this. On the other hand, Yagis are arrays of dipoles, which we are told already have the least current at the center point of the elements with the maximum at the ends. Perhaps this is a determinative factor? This is explained for why the grounding of the feedline of a gamma-matched Yagi should be made at the center point.
I would think it is the nature of the beast in every case.
I feel I am the least knowledgeable of folks to ask these things, but it is where this thread is leading me, and I need answers. Even homebrewers ought to care what they are doing is worth the doing.
