It does make a big difference i like the reception with this antenna it seems to have a louder reception from transmissions received i use it on a walkietalkie type and sometimes i hold it from the antenna walking around when my hands are full without fear of the antenna breaking seems to be the same quality as any other antenna possibly better quality in reception on the smaller shorter stub of antenna i dont have any real proof that this is any better then shorter antennas but it seems to work for me once i put it on my walkietalkie i have not taken it off since i am pleased with the performance im glad i purchased it it is not practical and weak used on the radio i bought and worked well but i returned the radio and this product