JB wrote:

...
Actually there is no reason TO have a resonant length antenna if you can
tune it electrically. After all, you may want to tune around some. I can
tell you it is a pain to have to go out and physically make adjustments for
any frequency excursion. There are many nonresonant length antennas that
outperform the resonant length. The 5/8 wave vertical comes to mind. A
long-wire provides a larger capture area. Then there are phased arrays that
reinforce. Look up the HAARP project and see how they made a very large
array and were able to electrically steer the pattern. Cool!

The more you know, the cheaper it gets, and the more you giggle when it
works. The only problem is you get hooked and want to do so much more.

Actually, this is a total misconception.

Download EZNEC or MMANA-GAL. Plugin the figures for a 1/4 wave physical
antenna "loaded" to 1/2 wave, examine the radiation pattern ...

Now, do the same for a full 1/2 wave physical length antenna and examine
the pattern ...

But then, I am sure you suspected, you can't take a 2 ft. antenna and
electrically resonate it to some other physical length, and have it
preform as the full physical length version ... if this were possible,
everyone would have little one inch antennas on their rigs ...

Regards,
JS