[Amps] ball on top

[Jim Hoge]

No, no, no. A spherical radiator is a true isotropic radiator until it is affected by its relationship to ground, other structures, the mast upon which it sits, and its feedline. The trick is to be able to accurately model these relationships. This is where the value of multiple unknown variables will always be indeterminate with the only constant being Murphy. It is best understood as AE=BL/WL where AE represents antenna efficiency, WL  represents will load, and BL represents blind luck. It's really a simple ratio understood not by mere mortals but rather the antenna gods, and they're not talking.

73,
Jim W5QM
 
When in doubt, experiment!