said by wolfcreek:original M2 version and several other brands ... had elements insulated from the boom and they would not work in any moisture level.
This is how I am interpreting what you are saying: some companies actually sold Yagi's which "would not work in any moisture level" and managed to stay in business long enough to make rod-inserted-into-boom type Yagis which work fabulously in rain, snow and ice conditions.
said by wolfcreek:There is a good chance any conductive surface within one wavelength of the antenna will affect its operation. A pile of wet snow is conductive.
Why does snow/ice NOT affect rod-inserted-into-boom Yagi designs in your opinion?
said by wolfcreek:Another problem is weight. Heavy wet snow on a radome will be quite heavy.
That is why I was originally suggesting radome protection ONLY for the driven element and only hydrophobic coating for the reflector and directors.
Hollow copper tubes (filled with closed-cell foam) inserted into PVC boom is lighter and mechanically more robust. Also easier on masts and small towers. Just another alternative.