Is Bare Antenna Wire Better than Coated Wire ? (And a second wire question)

[Steve Green NEPA]

1. For longwires, loop antennae, and other care-and-feeding of DX, does it make a difference?

2. Long ago at a buddy's DX den I noticed that he had this strap that sat half-in and half-outside the window which the longwire extended. The inside of the strap connected with a shorter wire, which went to the indoor radio's antenna. IIrc, he said that it was fine if he closed the window down all the way on it, smushing it somewhat during cold weather.
Using my somewhat RF-challenged beliefs, I have to ask you folks what the difference is between using a coated, conducting splice like that and just bringing in the longwire itself.
A lightning arrester is all I can think of.

 

[boombox4]

There is no difference in reception between insulated and non-insulated wire. I suppose if you are transmitting, there might be some sort of affect from the insulation, and if the antenna is touching wet tree branches or something, non-insulated antennas may be affected. But otherwise, I'd say no difference.

As for your friend, if his window frame was metal, yeah, insulated lead-in wire probably would be preferable. Otherwise, the antenna would ground out against the metallic window frame -- which may or may not make a difference in reception.

And yeah, any outdoor antenna in lightning country should probably have lightning protection.