Radio reception question

Good info, gents, on a subject rarely discussed anymore.

I remember reading in old service manuals that the best AM and FM reception qualities were obtained by changing the mast height on the old stainless steel antennas. Apparently, a matter of six-or-so inches made a big difference in reception.

I suppose that the marine antennas are much higher priced than standard old-style antennas.

By the way, the new-car antennas seem to be of a rather short mast height with spiral-wound wire as the antenna. Any idea about how they perform compared to the old-style antennas of the vintage of our older cars?