symmetry seems to not matter to the high powered over-built cb antennas makers ...... except for mr. coily .
i say dump the hy-gain super penetrator blast from the past .
build a MFJ 4K (beefy sigma 4) and make it durable enough for the UK winds and the US snow/ice .
Well BM, I couldn't of said it better myself. As a matter of fact the Sigma4's design takes impressive moves to make it symmetrical including the very long and gradual use of the long tuner as noted in the function of the bottom 1/4 wave element.
If I could calculate the tapper in this tuner system relative to the radiator and develop a meaningful ratio, I bet it would turn out to be virtually identical to a similar ratio of shield to center in RG8 coax. In fact I understand that math has actually been done and that result determined that the S4 1/4 wave tuner was actually coaxial...and in a tuner it don't get any better than that IMO. The Sigma4 is truly a remarkable antenna.
Even though I might appear to get down on Bob with some of my crazy ideas and questions, and at times maybe even disagree, I firmly believe he might be exactly right regarding his view of this design. I wish I had such a mind's eye view to things.
I can imagine that the collinear aspect in such antennas is critical in many respects, and even the proper tune may truly be necessary to derive the maximum advantage that a collinear can present. In the typical 1/4 wave and end fed 1/2 wave I've found thru testing that tune and match, within reason, made little to no difference in performance. Also like I've said before, I understand this also make no difference in modeling either, but without understand how, I've never modeled such.
Bob's idea that he is steering the angel of maximum radiation may be right on the mark, and since resonance is involved very importantly due to it being collinear...this monster may be like tuning a fine piano.
I have posted the following before, I have never done anything to my Sigma4 except set it up up carefully, just like the instructions indicate. For years I didn't even have the correct manual for my Antenna Specialists version of this fine antenna, but I was never disappointed in the response it provided except when I discovered the gamma match was not positioned midway between its two radial legs. For this is one issue that is very important to resonance and match that I found out by accident. I was looking for a reason, but I found it quite by accident.
Bob, I've figured out that I can use the top three elements from my Wolf .64 GP and increase the length of my S4 by 21" inches total. I'll set that up next time and extend it out as far at that will allow and then re-tune the antenna as necessary for the best match, and try again to duplicate the trend toward your results. This length is not quite enough to get to 30+' feet, but I can get over 29' feet I think.
Good Lord willing, we'll see.
