that about sums it up.

stub matching looks attractive, but how do I actually build one of
these suckers? Do I have to carve out a piece of coax and then fit
another one into it, if that makes sense? Won't that be nearly
impossible to solder?

physically, it would be easier to make a stub section with sections of
single wire line, but I don't know how to find Z0 of my 14 gauge wire?

Is stub matching not the answer?

The antenna is designed for about 450 Mhz, if that helps anyone.

Thanks for your help.