Bob been reading both your post and shockwaves,can't help wondering what would occur if the radial angle was dropped to 25/30 degrees and the radials extended to a halfwave,this would surely overcome the patter distortion caused by the gamma sticking above the hoop that shockwave describes,would also reduce the radiator too radial ratio too.just not sure what effect halfwave radials would have if any.
I would imagine it would be possible to add extra support to the enlarged loop/longer,higher angle radials by forming upside down radials supported on the monopole higher up,from non conductive material,possibly delrin,giving a sort of diamond design.Although I invisage it wouldn't be too easy on the eyes at 27 mhz,might be more practical at 98 mhz though.
Thanks for your answer and clarification shockwave,when you said slightly I wasn't sure if you were referring to an antenna at 27 mhz or 98mhz where indeed it would be as you put it,slightly shorter.
I'm curious,are sirio manufacturing the antennas for you under licence? as they bear many hallmarks of their build quality.
The biggest trouble with peaking any antenna for far field gain without having remote calibrated receivers at distance and the ability to view them in realtime via the net is having to depend on other peoples honesty in signal reporting,which in all honesty is dubious at best.Unfortuneately when people realise that your testing antennas they tend to lie to flatter either their ego or your ego to get better signal reports returned,such is human nature.:headbang:headbang
