[TowerTalk] How high is enough

[Jim in Waco wb5oxq]

When choosing a height for a beam is 1/4 wave above ground at the lowest frequency enough?  1/2 wave?  I see Force 12 rating the gain on their beams at 74'1".
Why that height?  At 20 meters is 100' a lot better than say 60'?  I am talking about relatively flat terrain.  I see Stepp-ir makes a beam that even has a 80 meter dipole in it.  Would that workmuch better on 80 than a wire dipole at an equal height?  I have never had enough land to put upmore than 50' bit nest year I might have over an acre and be able to go much higher.  I just wonder how high when you spend more to go higher than it is worth?  If I had the room for a wire dipole to run any direction, what would be the best choice from central Texas considering being in the center of the country east/west wise?  I want to get the best bang for my buck!  wb5oxq