I wouldn't be in such a hurry to disount the b and w.  I've had one up
here in Vegas for 4 years and like it.  It is a compromise antenna, but
any broad band one will be, it is just that simple.  Yes, it has a
resister, but remember you fo through a substantial ammount of wire to get
there.  On most bands mine compares favoribly with the gap vertical I have
up.  Sometimes the wire is better, and some times the b and w is.  No, it
isn't a beam, and I doubt if it is as good as a cut dipole, but with my
limited space here, it gets me on all bands.  I will say it really is not
a good antenna on 160, but I like it on other bands.
73s
Butch Bussen
wa0vjr