Hi Geri,

Do not be tempted to droop the ends of any top wires.

... I challenge that. My umbrella antenna 18m high with 5 pieces of

top-load

radials sloping downwards (each about 7 m long) **works fine**

It "works fine" to be sure, and it's possible that this is the only physical
shape possible for your surroundings, BUT did you verify that there is no
loss from drooping the top hat radials Vs not drooping the top hat radials?
My experience with many shapes of top hats is that it DOES reduce the
radiation measured in the far field. The theoretical explanation I have seen
is that the effective height is reduced due to the current foldback.

Bill A



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