Without getting to technical, the antenna must be a certain length to operate properly. That is always plus or minus a tad bit, and, as long as you do the solder joint as Minnflyer suggests, then you will be just fine.

Solder the joint making sure you have good "flow" and don't over do the solder. Globs don't mean good joints. If the heat is right, just touching the solder to the joint will cause it to flow and make a good joint. Then put some heat-shrink tubing (radio shack and many hardware stores have it) over the joint to protect it and off you go.

CGr.