I did not compare the antenna with a standard, but made a radiation diagram. It gives very nice circles at both ends of the antennas front and back with more than 15 dB front to end ratio. Also the 90 and 270 degrees dips were very steep, up to 30dB less than the front signal strength. I put the antenna on my roof at about 8m high and made easily QSO's with stations deep in Germany (Neurenberg, Muenchen, etc.) using about 25Watt. So I am very happy with this very small and useful antenna.