8324, in image 58_7 below I see the ground radials are insulated from the mast. Is the GP mounting plate conductive? How is this mounting plate secured to the PVC and the mast?
I also understand from others that gray pvc has high metal content and may be conductive.
I see the base of the coil is directly attached to the L-bracket supporting the feed point, but how does this bracket attach to the ground radials in the image above?
It may be OK to insulate the antenna from the from the grounded mast, but doesn't the base of this coil need to connect directly to the counterpoise radials somehow?
When you were testing very low to the earth, your loss may have been so high (with a good earth return) that you are able to see a reasonable match on your inline meter, but when you raise it up you start to loose this earth advantage and that is when the counterpoise is supposed to start to work providing a return path. I suspect that your radials are not attached to the anything but the mounting plate.
I also question having the radiator so close to the grounded mast regardless of whether the radiator is insulated from the mast or not. It looks like to me that your radiation is starting way down by the feed point and you are getting reflection off of this mast for a foot or more.
I could be wrong, but I see problems. Maybe I have not explained myself well or maybe I misunderstand what I see, but this is my opinion. Don't let me discourage you though, I like and encourage your efforts
