In addition to the good link above, you could pick your favorite band (like
9.8mhz), cut your wire to length ( length in ft = 468/mhz ), forget the balun
just solder it up, and try it out. get it up as high as you can.

There's no better method to learn about antennas than building them and seeing
what works and what doesn't.

:^]

GL,

jw
k9rzz
milwaukee