John,
This is just another version of the old marine CB antenna, where the groundplane is created by a single counterpoise in the coax feedline. Better than no groundplane, but not much. The marine version at least uses a full quarter-wave (9') whip for max range/least loss.
Firestick is using inefficient 4', 3', and even 2' loaded whips. I wouldn't use a 2' or 3' antenna on a good groundplane (maybe a high quality 4' on a good groundplane, depending on circumstances). Rember, the shorter it is, the more loaded it is to accomplish this, and therefore more loss and narrower bandwidth.
If range is your objective, I'd try a coathanger first.
Broderick

<small>[ May 07, 2003, 01:12 PM: Message edited by: fourwd1 ]</small>