" Wouldn't the pitting give the antenna more surface area, broader bandwidth, and more gain? DE NU5D"
The pitting actually seriously impacts antenna performance as it causes ERP to drop off. What happens is instead of efficient conversion from conducted to radiated energy, you get significant losses from heat.This is why almost every 'extreme-duty' antenna manufacturer are now offering hard anodizing options for their mountaintop antenna products. The only way you can test for this is to do repeated far-field strength measurements over time. The antenna itself will test fine; return loss, VSWR, all look great, but it just doesn't talk as far. Mechanical abrasion of the surface is the only way you can get rid of pits. I guess it becomes a question of how much time you're willing to spend polishing up that antenna. Best, -Cam, VE7MMV.
