Hey great! Glad you like it. Moving that element probably doesn't change the pattern much. I can model it to see but really, as you say, it won't matter.
Now, go enter a few local 'transmitter hunts'! You'll find the antenna is very effective running through the trees and not breaking.
You'll find you can hit repeaters impossibly far away as well as satellites, with ease.
Enjoy!
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paul, texas KD5IVP