I was recently corresponding with an individual regarding reefing points
and sent him a back-lit photo of the sails. While I was looking at it, I
realized how much the whip SSB antenna is tilted backwards (about 10
degrees), and was wondering what effect that tilt would have.

http://www.geoffschultz.org/FreedomY...419_084022.jpg

I regularly use the SSB for e-mail via SailMail, with no problems. When I'm
in the NW Caribbean, I'm a network controller and/or a weather guy for the
NW Caribbean Net (which covers from Panama to the Gulf of Mexico), and
people have always commented what a strong signal I have.

The tilt is due to the stand-off from the rail. I'm wondering if I'd have a
better signal if I were to put a block at the base and make it vertical?

-- Geoff
www.GeoffSchultz.org