A YEAR AGO I TO ASKED AMEL WHY THEY WOULDN'T UTILIZE THE BACKSTAY AS THE SSB ANTENNA. THEIR RESPONSE WAS "THE WHIP IS WHAT WE USE & IT WORKS FINE". WELL THEY DID & IT IS ACCEPTABLE. I WAS ABLE TO TALK TO HERB (SOUTHBOUND II) ALL THE WAY FROM FRANCE TO PORTUGAL TO THE CARIBBEAN. AS FOR FOLDING BIKES ON MY BOAT HERE NEAR CAPE COD I HAVE A DAHON 5 SPEED. IN FACT I'M GOING TO MARTHA'S VINEYARD TODAY & WILL USE IT TO TRAVEL TO MY WORK. I'VE HAD 2 OF THEM FOR AT LEAST 8 YEARS WITHOUT ANY RUSTING OR SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS ON BOARD HERE. ENJOY YOUR NEW SM IN LAROCHELLE. JOHN FOLINO, SULAJON SM # 347