Radio Antenna Length

[TrophyHusband]

So do you guys trim the length of your whip antennas to the frequency chart that comes with them? I have never have or know of anyone who does so I'm curious how much difference it makes?

[driftwood blue]

before I retired, I ran a grader that had an railroad band radio in in out in the SE part of Colorado.
.the antennae got knocked off it. got a "Commercial" one until I could get the Radio Tech at LaJunta to work on it.. the difference in range was very much improved. -- between Springfield and LaJunta there is very poor reception.. Gary trimmed the length to specs and it made a big difference in range and clarity.-- he explained that the antennae must closely match the wave length.-- it will work just fine on 1/2 wave length, 5/8 or full length but get very far from those and it does not have the strength or clarity.he also set it with a meter after trimming the length.