@2NC995 - Hi, Don't get too confused, at least for the simplicity
I'm not trying to start an argument either - I'm trying to open up a dialogue about how "Stubby" in a Grocery store parking lot works Texas with a stronger signal than a guy hauling potatoes on the freeway just a few miles from him - but they can hear each other but Texas only hears one.
I was only making observations of how smaller antennas SEEM to work well for what they do, and most of the time, it's simple 2-way conversation close enough to each other.
It's when SKIP rolls in, and somehow the antenna - ANY antenna - seems to work really well for some but to others it doesn't.
So I was simply taking a view of looking for the best methods to make the DX contacts work, the longer antennas closer to their physical 1/4 wave in length - seem to fare better even in local conversations - at least you don't suffer greatly from "dropouts" (dips into valleys or "flutter" (overpasses, power line wires and bridge beams) or masking caused by say - a Semi trailer passing you - now "blocks" your signal and also distorts the whip to curve/bend it in a direction off and away due to the wind whack buffeting the vehicle.
There's things to reflect (SIC) upon like; ground conductivity, ambient air noises, the amount or spacing of you from another vehicle - that plays a role in the signals reflection and or refraction along and around vehicles and even ionization losses from power lines overhead - that all seem to play a role in you working Texas when others fail.
If you use a "stubby" antenna for local and wonder about using it for Skip - well the odds of that antenna winning is smaller Less in both size and ability - than a physical length antenna used in that same spot - but then again, other factors like reflections and interactions from nearby objects plays a role in where the signal squeezes out in to a specific direction to work that ionization layer over your head.
So what I'm saying here, is odd on favorites are the longer antennas versus the shorter ones, you will always hear that, and shootouts prove their worth in their "Watergates". But then I've heard and experienced shorter antennas making the trip across the town because the operator was able to judge and utilize height and distance from - and with - other objects that can interact in their favor - to get their signal where it belongs.
- It's painfully evident that maybe I shouldn't have even come in here to converse about this, but again, I only come in peace to offer some simple advice -
- Shorter antennas will have less "area" to work with...but then too, understand the construction and physical limitations of the mobile setup - you can't always operate a Base Station in your vehicle - don't mean you can't try, but, Remember, odds favor the operators that take into account the physical size of radiator and do their best to provide the mounting as securely as possible to take advantage of it.
- To segue if only a moment - this thread touches on the "electrical properties" of the various antenna "lengths" - which is fine, but you still have the shorter radiator and the claim to show they have electrical properties of the longer wavelength. Sadly it's still a loaded antenna and along with it comes the losses the system suffers from the lack of physical length and Resonance compared to the longer tuned radiator that has it in it's favor.
So in a way, even a guy with some experiences in dealing with DX from years ago, looks back in time to see others now arriving to reflect on this, at the same stopping point - asking similar questions - you are not alone - because not all the odds favorites' win, sometimes it's the guy near the back of the line riding the "stubby" that beats out all the others to win in the end.
Sometimes it's luck, others - it's a long shot, but no matter what,
"You make 100% of the "shots" you don't take." - Wayne Gretzky
So don't give up, keep it simple - work with what you have and as you gain the experience you can then step forward into newer levels and each time you do, you have - you
EARNED, the wisdom to attain that level, you just have to focus on making it better and work for you.
Don't worry...take it all in, for there's an entire WORLD out there to discover about Radio - we haven't even begun to use a fraction of it.
