So, the patent looks to be right again and steering looks to be possible after-all in Free Space only.
IMO, there is still some advantage for the standard A/P design. Column 3, lines 69 - 75 and column 4, lines 1 - 6 in spite of this idea for steering, and I think the patent says that as well..
Homer your Quote from the patent below has an omission error noted in red, see note below:
Quote from Patent:
"It has been found, however, that the flare affects not only the impedance, but also influences the takeoff angle at maximum signal strength. The flare of the construction described hereinafter provides a takeoff angle that is about the maximum reasonably allowable for most efficient CB use of this antenna. When the flare was omitted and the conductors 16 and 18 were tested parallel to the first conductor 14 it was found that the takeoff angle at maximum signal strength was as much as 10* to 15* below the horizontal. Although for certain uses, such a downward tilt may be desirable, it appears that the optimum disposition of conductors l6 and 18 lies between the parallel positioning of straight conductors 16 and 18 and the flared positioning of flared conductors 16 and 18 with respect to the conductor 14, as described in conjunction with the specific embodiment illustrated in the drawings."
Note to Homer, I got the quote above from your earlier post #53 to me with a list of paragraphs from the patent. My patent has the 10* to 15* degrees as noted above in red type. This information was missing from your source document.
Are we possibly looking at two different Patents or did you just miss something while typing?