Booty, I could be wrong, but tapper and element size (wire diameter) is important in both applications, for real antennas and with modeling.
I think the point here was, the first model of the Vector presented was using very small size wires. I also think it was suggested this was the only way for an Eznec5 model to show any gain when modeling the very complicated Sigma4 design, with sharp angles between parallel elements, and when using tapper.
Common sense and theory both tell us that element size is important consideration for resonant type antennas, and the use of tapper is important to the physical construction, which then must also be taken into account regarding resonance.
I just put up my New Top One. I checked it alone for a couple of days, and then I installed my Old Top One using a full 1/4 wave radiator without the Cap Hat.
On the OTO, I have used several different size mast inside the antenna to mount. Originally I used a 10' section of 1.25" mast and the antenna was resonant very near the middle of the CB band.
Next I used a 1" square tubing and the resonance when up to the bottom of 28 megs, but at the time I was also figuring out the length of the 1/4 wave full length radiator and I was short in this first attempt, using the suggested length noted in the manual for the AstroBeam.
This time I used an two 1.25" side by side masts for added strength and 5' feet of increased height, and the frequency went down a bit to the low side of CB, however, I think I made the radiator 1" too long also, so I won't know what affect the two mast makes until I check and fix the radiator length.
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So, wire size and tapper both have an affect on antenna responses, but I don't know what affect the rate of tapper has, albeit tapper has its affect too. I believe even the hardware used for mast to boom, element to boom, and element connectors also has some affect as well.
