My initial question related to a dipole 3 feet too long, no change in
feedline was/is contemplated...consider that a constant.


The length of feedline(s) may be constant, but the losses in the
feedline(s) depend on VSWR, and nothing you can do with an ATU changes
the loss in feedline(s) beyond the ATU.

I note that you have figured that the dipole is 3' too long, that is
about 3% too long, but the antenna resonance appears about 6% low at
14MHz. Are those two pieces of information consistent?
Should they be consistent?

Owen
--
Owen,

I get about 4% at 14 MHz, 3.5% at 7 MHz, next to zero on 80M...these are
all relative to the low CW portion of the band where I "live".

I understand your point. VSWR at the XMTR as lowered by the ATU makes
the transmitter happy but the antenna may not be happy or as efficient.

Being a pragmatist and the wet season about to arrive, I just want a
handle on whether, all things considered, it is worthwile to shorten the
antenna or leave it alone.

I've got to start using EZNEC.


John
AB8O