Joe Bloe wrote:
However, I did
get a two bits of good information, a closer explanation of the effect
of a fat conductor antenna, and a web-site with a calculator for just
such a thing.

You can probably arrive at the same correct technical
conclusions by downloading the free demo version of
EZNEC and selecting the diameter of the conductor.
--
73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp