@Homer and [USER=19649]@nfsus[/USER], I made the radials straight and parallel to the mast inside the bottom cone area of the Free Space model of my A/P. I also make the radials 6" apart (straight), and the loop with a 6" diameter...this model does drop the maximum TOA down to 6* degrees vs.15* for the regular model. But the antenna dimensions would have to be made longer in order to re-tune. I could fix the R - resistance, but the reactance was not correctable with so much metal missing on setting the cone parallel to the antenna mast tube.
The patent does talk about downward tilting of the TOA, but it also claims the optimum disposition is the present embodiment noted with the flared radials and loop. I did a model as I understood their words and I only saw angles above the horizon as noted above.
I tried changing all of the primary dimensions on my A/P model, and none ever showed tilt below the horizon, including the one with parallel radials and a loop to connect the 2 radials showing a drop to 6* degrees above the horizon only.
1. PDF file, see Patent details below, columns bottom of #3 & Top of #4 noted as "TOA"
2. PDF files, are 3 A/P models with different radial spacing used in tuning the antenna resistance. 1st model is in Free Space showing the Average Gain Test results that tests the dependability of the model, noted at the bottom of the 1st page. Radial Spacing used, 6" inches, 5.66" inches, and 5.58" inches.
