About two years ago, I bought the cheaper antenna from one of the
vendors (it was either busdepot or gowesty, I won't bother naming
names and am too lazy to find the receipt).  The thing was an
absolute POS, and within a year had fallen apart.

I ended up getting a used VW antenna from a wrecking yard.   This 20-
year old antenna was in better shape (and works better) than the
"new" one was when I bought it.

The vendor who is selling the "cheap" one should really re-think
their choice to offer such a crappy product...IMHO.