SD, I think Bob once had an idea to test the Original AstroPlane with the mast extended and isolated below the hoop by a 1/4 wavlength, as an improvement to the angle and/or maybe the gain in performance.
I have real world tested my old Top One using a full 1/4 wave top element and by just operating my radio I was unable to detect any difference at all. I also have some SWR bandwidth curve charts that I think show pretty much that the antennas responses were the about the same curve with the full length element antenna showing a little better match per the SWR.
I understand that a full 1/4 wave element should out perform a shortened element with a top hat. And, these models prove that, but even if there is a difference it is no where near enough for me to tell just using my radio. This is just another CB BS story about a difference that is so insignificant as to be totally irrelevant to argue.
I also model both in Eznec and I attached both below. I also added a model with the 8.5' foot mast isolation idea that I think Bob was considering to do.
[ATTACH]6964[/ATTACH]
IMO, guys that complain about the A/P, Top One, old or new, don't know what they are doing. These are great little antennas, that contrary to another CB BS popular idea...that they don't work well unless installed low, don't work at all, or produce a lot of TVI, are just simply in the wrong hobby and need to take up gardening instead.
