True.... But ?a lot less drag = about 1/4 KTAS on an antenna of this length. I?ve broken 2 of these antennas, one Delta Pop blade, and one of the rod/ball antennas.
I re-epoxied the DP antenna, and then just straightened the rod/ball unit. Both check out fine on the bench. The rod unit has been flying , after bending it back to straight, for 3 months, including a transponder recert/ADSB test, and it?s working fine so far. I?m sure my DP antenna would too.
Dirty air on your belly doesn?t pay the same penalty as something in smooth air. A rod antenna is definitely more ?draggy? than a blade, but is it worth 4X the cost? Especially if you think you may damage it cleaning the belly, maybe more than once? I still have my repaired DP blade if anyone wants to buy it. I?ll sell it to you for the cost of a six pack - your choice on brand.
If you are anal about cleaning your belly (99% of us are), you WILL damage a belly mount antenna eventually. You will need to repair or replace it.