Anatomy of my poor performing UHF antenna. I cut it up to take a look.

Cutting open antenna at 8:39

I got this broom stick antenna as it fitted in the garage without hitting the roof, the specs sounded about right, but it was on the cheaper side, but I didn't have a lot of options.

It never performed. It's actually a real crap antenna. I could be right next to another vehicle and hear conversations that I just couldn't receive.

When in convoy, I ran out of signal 5 to 10Kms before anyone else with similar or the same radios.

I did some research and changed it out for an elevated feed 6.5 dB GME antenna. Its like chalk and cheese. I can now hear what is going on, and its performing like I expected and antenna should.

Even my 3 DB antenna performs better than the Broom stick.

Maybe I had a dud, but there is nothing really in it, so I dont know how it would be a dud.