Buck, N4PGW wrote:
"---or make the antenna as high as you can with four rafials as long as
you can, maybe loaded by helical or loading coil windings."

Yes, a ground-plane antenna needs resonant radials or at least with its
vertical radiator it needs to make a resonant system.

According to J.D. Kraus, radial conductor ground-plane antennas were
originated by G.H. Brown. Story is that Brown said only two radials were
needed (for equilibrium?). RCA`s marketing department insisted on four
and that`s how it`s been ever since.

Best regards, Richard Harrison, KB5WZI