Don't take statements of performance wrong most of the statements are comparing it to a non-fractalized (if that's a word) similar antenna.
You seem very interested in the characteristics of this antenna so why don't you take the leap and download 4nec2 (free modeling program)
and give it a shot. (it's not that hard if you have an already built model)
Here is the antenna you made with no reflectors (gain is dBi net) UHF
Code:
max 7.0452717189 7.8089515597
min 4.6449004552 2.3223250366
Average 6.3864243396 3.8669560812
I'm kind of surprised you get a usable digital signal at all, SWR over ~2.7
can kill a digital signal.
with a flat reflector it's better. edit:changed gain figures to match the corrected model
Code:
max 10.9458221554 4.4905919223
min 8.9146671202 1.6696213956
Average 10.2025694137 2.3975494407
and if you do try the modeling program here's the model I used to get the figures above to get you started.
Code:
CM Ruckman Fractal 2 bay bowtie
CM by GHz 24
CM AWG Gauge 12 Copper Wire Elements
CE
SY z=5.25
SY y=0.625
SY x=-5.5
GW 1 3 0 y 0 0 y z 0.0404
GW 2 3 0 y z 0 4.09807087-1.5+y 1.5+z 0.0404
GW 3 3 0 4.09807087-1.5+y 1.5+z 0 4.09807087-1.5+y 4.5+z 0.0404
GW 4 3 0 4.09807087-1.5+y 4.5+z 0 6.69615354-1.5+y 3+z 0.0404
GW 5 3 0 6.69615354-1.5+y 3+z 0 9.29422441-1.5+y 4.5+z 0.0404
GW 6 3 0 y z 0 4.09807087-1.5+y 4.5+z-6 0.0404
GW 7 3 0 4.09807087-1.5+y 4.5+z-6 0 4.09807087-1.5+y 1.5+z-6 0.0404
GW 8 3 0 4.09807087-1.5+y 1.5+z-6 0 6.69615354-1.5+y 3+z-6 0.0404
GW 9 3 0 6.69615354-1.5+y 3+z-6 0 9.29422441-1.5+y 1.5+z-6 0.0404
GW 10 6 x 0 2 x 12 2 0.0404
GW 11 6 x 0 4 x 12 4 0.0404
GW 12 6 x 0 6 x 12 6 0.0404
GW 13 6 x 0 8 x 12 8 0.0404
GW 14 6 x 0 10 x 12 10 0.0404
GW 15 6 x 0 12 x 12 12 0.0404
GX 400 011
GW 16 12 x -12 0 x 12 0 0.0404
GW 37 3 0 y 0 0 -y 0 0.0404
GS 0 0 0.0254 ' All in in.
GE 0
EK
LD 5 0 0 0 5.8e7 0
EX 0 37 2 0 1 0
GN -1
FR 0 1 0 0 585 0
EN
just copy and paste into a text file and save as "fractalblabla.nec"
then open it with 4nec2. The variables change the gap,separation,reflector distance.
If you get stuck you could open a thread in the antenna section or enthusiast exchange area.
Rather than discuss design in the help with reception area.