You are not making logical sense. The random wire non-resonant common
mode antenna is a good reference antenna precisely because it has little
theoretical gain and it will work anywhere.

So the same can be said for a 1/2 wave dipole. The gain of a length
of wire will not vary much depending on how it's fed. Only the length
really matters. Of course, different methods of feeding vary as far as
system efficiency. In the case of 1/2 wave or smaller wires, the
efficiency of the feed system is about the only thing that matters
much among the various versions of such.

You compare it against a
dipole and the dipole should show gain over it as should any other
antenna type made to be resonant at some frequency.

How you fiqure? If the random wire were longer than the 1/2 WL dipole,
it could actually have more gain in a certain direction. The reason a
dipole is the common benchmark for horizontal wires is because it's a
well known measured quanity. Exactly what you want as a "benchmark",
or reference antenna. Look at most any antenna ad's for yagi's. If you
can find one that is measured against a random wire, I'll send you $20.
Most all will be measured against a 1/2 wave dipole at the same height,

or instead be listed as dbi, which is a theoretical value. The only
difference
between dbd and dbi is about 2.1 db. You are just shifting your
reference.

Stop thinking like
an amateur, this is a SW listening news group.

What does that have to do with anything? I place no distinction between
an
antenna used for transmit, and one receive. They both obey the same
laws.
I use the same types of antennas for both jobs. The better an antenna
is
at transmitting , in general ditto for receive. The properties of an
antenna
between transmit, and receive are reciprical. IE: if an antenna has
gain in a
certain direction, this applies equally transmit, or receive. I will
always
use the best antenna for the job I can put up. And that is rarely ever
a
random wire. Random wires are too micky mouse for my blood.
But you can consider that a personal problem. :/

A random wire is the
basic antenna here.

Sure, it may be for some, but I'm sure not all are content
to stay with one antenna their whole life.
I'm just as much as SWL as you are, and my "basic" antenna is
a 1/2 wave dipole. I've been SWLing since 1964, when I got my
first radio at the age of 8. A good bit longer than I've been a ham.
I didn't get into ham radio until the 8th grade. Didn't get legal until
77.
When did you start SWLing? If it's longer than 42 years, I'll give
you a free cookie.


If you want technical antenna theory then yeah a
dipole is a basic reference radiator most transmit antennas.

Whether it's for transmit or not is not really relevant.
What other kind of antenna theory is there?
Do they also have "sears" antenna theory, "geico" antenna
theory, "dimbulb" antenna theory, etc?
I thought there was just one version...
Heck, the other guy was the one that brought up what "pro's"
would use or do. Pro's don't measure antennas against
random wires. And I doubt most would use one if they could
use something better. I don't use random wires, and I'm not
even a pro. :/ Are you suggesting I would be a better SWLer
if I changed to random wires? That'll be the day... :/ LOL...
MK

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