Hi Mark,
The tension on the antenna when I close the rain protection of the bag is my only concern about this antenna. It doesn't seem to be a huge tension, but still it is there… So I understand the choice of multi strand cable : more flexible. On the other hand, I love the fact that my antenna are straight and always are.
When cutting the antennas, my pliers doesn't do a clean cut and the little"imperfection" it leaves is perfect to hold the antenna in the solder "bubble". I thought about using a dremel though.
Thanks for the link at B&H. I'll need to find something else though, as I am in west Africa.