wrote:

try a dipole, its 2 bits of wire the same length sticking out opposite to
each other, as high as you can hang em!.
Look up the G5RV antenna for a good start, then you have an antenna, that
all others are gauged by.
When most antennas are designed, they have a comparison in the performance
made to a simple Dipole. An Isotropic dipole, I think its called...
http://www.antennasmore.com/g5rv.htm
here's one for sale, but they are dead easy to make.

Why would anyone want a dipole for all 'round use on shortwave?

A random wire is the way to go.

Steve
Holland, MI
Drake R7, R8 and R8B

http://www.iserv.net/~n8kdv/dxpage.htm