Hi Hugh, LFers,

Being that it is a capacitive probe, the orientation doesn't matter with such a 
small "antenna" portion.  I think you
are correct about it having to "work against" something.  That explains why the 
feedline routing is so important.
I have mine mounted as high and in the clear as I could with what was 
available.  The feedline drops straight
down and when it reaches the ground I have a coupler which has the shield 
grounded to an earth rod.  When
Laurence was in the far east he used the metal window frames of the high-rises 
he was in as the "ground" for
the feedline shield with great success. 

73, J.B., VE3EAR

LowFER Beacon "EAR"
188.830 kHz. QRSS30
EN93dr