[TowerTalk] Dipole Longer or higher?

[Tom Rauch]

I would suggest that you think about shortening the length
of your antenna
(instead of lengthening it).  I know that this sounds
counter-intuitive, but
take a look at L.B. Cebik's article on an 88 foot long
doublet
(http://www.cebik.com/88.html).>>

You are right. It is counter-intuitive and for a good
reason.

Cebik ignored matching and feeline loss in that analysis and
ONLY looked at pattern. That is NOT the way to consider a
system.

See:
http://www.w8ji.com/short_dipoles_and_problems.htm

People whine and moan about G5RV's (often incorrectly). Why
would anyone think a dipole shorter than a G5RV would
suddenly work better?

You are better off to make the dipole at least 100 to 150
feet long, and just leave it at that. Also pick a good
feeline length. Avoid an exact multiple of 1/4 wl on the
lowest band. In other words avoid a 60 ft or 120 ft long
feedline. Shoot for 42 feet or 85 feet in feedline length to
avoid off the map impedances.

73 Tom