"Cub Driver" wrote in message
...

I use the rubber ducky antenna. These are rental planes, and neither
has an outside antenna. I seldom use delta airspace, however. And I
always behave as if I were NORDO. I am reasonably sure however that I
am always heard in the pattern, not so sure that I am heard five or
even three miles out.

In my experiment using the Icom with it's helical rubber "ducky" antenna I
contacted NY Approach 15 miles north of HPN (I was at 3000 and I believe
they are down in Long Island somewhere) then was handed off to HPN tower at
about 10 miles out and everything went smoothly. I used the Icom PTT button
and held the radio with the antenna vertical.