No it isn't, (having give that is) not bad at all, I just had issues with my setup and the 102" ss whip has thus far done well for me, I would not recommend it if you are not going to be tree top tall and have extra support, I like I said, have used extra magnets to accommodate the extra weight, and I would have been fine with the stock whip if I didn't have the issues that I experienced, I wish I would have taken a photo, the tip was bent over almost into a square at the tip lol. But anyway, I agree totally, this mod has pitfalls, and isn't necessary. I did it because I had the extra base to do it with. Like I said the stock antenna is a good antenna as long as you aren't banging large tree limbs and underpasses and bridges, I lower my antenna nowadays, but don't have this issue down here in Florida as much as I did up north either. Many more low underpasses and bridges were hit while I was up north. However, since I have modded it, I have left it and haven't encountered any issues thus far.