Trindade's mountanous nature has always been cause of concern to DXpeditioners. Maybe the following will shed some light on the issues at hand. The attached map, although not very detailed, shows the shape of the island and gives some elevations (in feet).

The Navy base is located on the North-East shore at the place called ENSEADA DOS PORTUGUESES, right beneath the highest peak. Obviously, from there the horizon is about 40 - 45º towards West-Southwest-South, "hiding" most of Brazil's mainland, the southern part of S.America and the path to VK/ZL, which is roughly south. Central and N.America are no problem, the path being along the shoreline in the North-westernly direction. Europe, Africa and Asia are all directly off the unobstructed shore.

The electricity extends about the distance of a 15 minute walk along the shore towards the point named PONTA DE PEDRA, where the meteorological station is located. That location is definitely the most convenient spot, as from there the horizon doesn't exceed about 30º at worst. Only long term operations in the past were able to operate from there, since there are no towers at that facility. I remember very clearly that when Hal, PY1ZAE spent 4 months on the island (using my old Drake twins run from a battery), he had no problem to work even the VK/ZLs from that spot. He only complained that most of the VK/ZL gang didn't get on the air at the right time! There is plenty of flat space around the Met. Station, so more than one station could be installed from there, without being too close to each other.

And before anyone asks, it is no use trying to go the other way from the Base (north-west) because the horizon there gets even worse.