A short active whip is a E-field antenna that is very high impedance and sensitive to its surroundings. In my experience it will benefit from a large ground plane like sheets of chicken wire to help isolate it from things and interference below radiating from inside your house. They are also affected being under stuff like wire antennas or power lines overhead, under eaves, etc. Since they are vertically polarized and most man made noise propagates vertical pol, they will pick up more RFI than horizontal antennas.
To add more, I've tested several passive vertical HF whips with high ratio matching transformers in the base like the AOR SA7000 outdoors on my patio and another used by the military (https://radiorecon.com/application/files/4015/6466/4024/Flexmaster_Technical_Data_Sheet_5-28-19.pdf), my active AMRAD VLF/HF whip on the roof and my W6LVP active loop worked better than all others when it was indoors next to my computer and plasma TV. I couldn't believe it.
To add more, I've tested several passive vertical HF whips with high ratio matching transformers in the base like the AOR SA7000 outdoors on my patio and another used by the military (https://radiorecon.com/application/files/4015/6466/4024/Flexmaster_Technical_Data_Sheet_5-28-19.pdf), my active AMRAD VLF/HF whip on the roof and my W6LVP active loop worked better than all others when it was indoors next to my computer and plasma TV. I couldn't believe it.
Yes we have one or two articles on Bonito products (and some other wide band active dipoles), along with some articles from SWLing.com here...
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HF Antennas - The RadioReference Wiki
wiki.radioreference.com
The more I've been reading on the subject, it seems these actives really need to be grounded - and perhaps, use a common mode choke or two - to really perform well. Loops simply don't need or use any extra grounding, although the feedline might benefit from a common mode choke if it runs near computers and other noisy house electronics.
If you really want to dig into the science of antennas - and if you want to have a somewhat more efficient antenna than just throwing up a piece of wire - it's hard to argue with the publications of the Radio Society of Great Britain, which is the sister to our ARRL. Their books are simply a great resource to have around..
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Mike
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