Thanks for the diagram of antenna locations, Saigon Lost. It gives evidence that the vertical fin was intact throughout the period of the ACARS reports, else there would have been HF Fail reports, too. The VOR antennas are not monitored, but the HF antenna couplers, in the leading edge of the vertical fin, are active LRU, Line Replaceable Units, that are powered, and provide fault reporting to the transceivers, which would, in turn, report to the ACMS, and from there to ACARS.
we say this, because of the absence of a LRU ACARS message of it being faulted
I just wish we knew:
-the complete unfiltered information as transmitted by AF447 (what was transmitted)
-a list of all
possible failure and warning items
specified by AF for immediate transmission. (what qualifies for transmission)