"usmcbrat" wrote in message
newsX8Lj.19131$4O1.19019@trnddc03...
Hi All:

Is there an optimum % length for an antenna when the antenna is a simple
straight stick? 1/4 wave... 1/2, 5/8, full wave? Does it differ
depending on wavelength? If size is not a consideration, is a full
wavelength preferable?

I've Googled around a bit but haven't found a good explanation yet.

If you're talking about a vertical whip antenna, you may want to look at a
5/8 wave - but you would need to add a little coil at the bottom to match
impedence to 50-ohms.
I read somewhere that that the pattern of a vertical antenna improves as the
length approaches 5/8-wave.
Picture the pattern like a small balloon full of water sitting on a map -
and as you increase the length of the whip, you press down on the
water-balloon - making its coverage more horizontal - thus covering more
area. Some of the radiation that would have gone up now goes out.
And a dipole with 5/8 wave on each pole would make it more directional as
well.
I don't have references to point you to, just going by memory - which may -
or may not - be intact.