Topband: Tophat? Does it have to be at the top?

[Bob Tellefsen]

George
My setup is similar to what you plan.
I have a 50 ft vertical with sloping top loading wires.
I modeled the antenna in EZNEC to find the best combination
of top loading inductor and sloping wire length.
If you add a top loading inductor, you can use shorter loading
wires and have less cancellation.  The optimum length is not
critical, as there is a rather broad nose to the curve.
This lets you put up whatever is most convenient within
that portion of the curve.
Good luck and 73
Bob N6WG