Thanks for your comment, John. I think we need some standardization in the unit of distance called the "block." To me, a "few blocks" does not sound like a terribly low distance for part 15 AM, especially if no explicit ground lead is used. I think of a block as 0.1 miles because that is the nominal length of city blocks in the the area I know; although at particular locations, blocks vary greatly from the nominal length. To me, "few" is more than a "couple," which makes "few" 3, or maybe 4. 0.4 miles is not a bad distance at all for "no ground" Part 15 AM. In Manhattan, on the other hand, the blocks can be very long. It is a hike to walk between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue, and so the distance has to be appreciably more than than 0.1 miles. Instead of blocks, I'd rather that some actual unit of distance were used for estimating distances. Even "furlongs" would be more meaningful to me than "blocks."
I made the statement "a few blocks" because it was the best I knew to describe.. however,in my post, some google maps were also provided of the area to indicate just how far a few blocks actually are in my instance... but reallymy range tends to vary (without a ground), some days the signal only reaches 2 blocks, other days it might go three...
Anyway, there are a couple of other factors to consider with my situation (or so I think), 1. the conductivity here is an 8, so that's a plus. 2. I contemplate, without any genuine knowledge, that perhaps the metal roof is acting as an advantage - as kindof a re-radiator, even though my xmtr ground is not actually touching it, but approximately an inch from it... but then again, I was achieving the same range when it was atop my own roof.. which by the way is only about six foot away from the metal roof.
3. Again, speculating without any genuine knowledge, this island is only 1/2 wide and surrounded by ocean, I suspect that the high ground conductivity combined with the fact that the ocean is only "few blocks" away in three directions from my transmitter.. I can't help but suspect that the close proximity of the ocean adds an extra boost to my range even though the transmitter is ungrounded.
My objective is cover the main strip (hwy 80) for about 2 miles+. Proper ground installs are practically unfeasible, so in a quest to legally succeed the objective, it seems that multiple elevated ungrounded installs down the main stretch is the most realistic possibility.. or at least, that's what I perceive to be the most likely route to pursue.
I more than welcome corrections or advice on this matter.
On another subject.. I have never experienced multiple peaks when tuning a Rangemaster, and the post here making references to it makes me say huhh??