As far as I am concerned D I G I T A L is the answer. Because I have a boat low to the water and its tough to get my ant. up high ( the higher your antenna the better) I bought a DIGITAL antenna. I think it is a full wave length (8'). I couldn't believe the performance as compared to a basic one like a Shakespear. Apparently a DIGITAL ( brand name )is made quite differently than the standard ones with copper coil ( sorry I don't know exactly how its made but it works VERY well)
I paid more than 250 bucks for it but it is amazing. Can talk to Tahsis from Ferrer Pt. quite easily or across from vancouver Harbour to Gabriola , no prob. ...and its base is only about 4' off the water!! I have an ICOM radio but its mostly about the antenna... also the mic modulation is important too. BTW, I would not buy one of the shorter /half size 4' ant. unless I could get it very high up like on a sailboat mast.