Aerial Length

[JohnDora]

I’ve been having range issues in the 40 MHz band, with compatible Rx and Tx. Discovered today the Tx serial was only 1m or so long, when my research (and other Tx) had aerials 1.2m long.

Question: how much of a difference might this make with respect to range?

John

[Wax Savage]

Hi John,

my experience as a licensed General Class amateur radio operator says a 10% over/under length on an antenna can have a very noticeable detrimental effect. As a test, I'd try to swap the antenna with one from a TX with the correct length. Test the metric thread on both antennas to ensure they are the same thread.
Here is an article you may find informative

https://www.rc-cam.com/ant_exp.htm