[K3PZN-List] Thanks for the comments

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There are a lot of aftermarket ducks out there but I don't think most are worth
it. I used a big 5/8 one for a while that did out perform the little duck but it
also destroyed the BNC on the HT and got in the way a lot. A cheap thing to try
is putting a wire on the shell of the antenna connector to create a better
ground/counterpoise than the HT body. I've heard claims that improves things a bit.

For mobile use I'd just get an external antenna, there are low profile mag
mounts fed with lossy cable that will out perform any duck. In the company car I
use an HT since I can't mount a mobile rig and there's no room in any case. I
have a 19" low profile mag mount that I stick to the roof between the 800MHz
radio antenna and the VHF antenna for the wireless microphone. It gets the job
done and lets me use the HT while I'm not busy and the litte black antenna
blends in so I don't get in tourble. Two of our motor guys have 19" magmount 
antennas on the back of the bike and a little bracket on the front up by the
radar to put the HT. It gets hard to hear when driving but otherwise works OK. 

Andy

> Keith: that's why the old buffaloes refer to the rubber duck antennas
> supplied with HT's as "flexible dummy loads".  Anyone have a suggestion for
> a good after market HT antenna?