[Antennas] Length of Dipole

[Pat W]

Jim, a very good question.
  I am becoming a believer in the G5RV length, ie, 102 feet.  Fed with
1/2 or 3/2 wavelengths(at 20 m) of ladder line, produces very good
matching on 20 and 40 meters.  Note: do not use coax as in the typical G5RV,
just the multiple 1/2 wavelength of ladder line.  All the coax does is 
increase the loss
on non resonant bands-exhorbitantly so in some cases.
The 102 feet should give good pattern from 80 meters on up.
A length less than this will not match well on 80 meters, a length longer than
this produces too sharp a pattern on 10 meters.

  However, I use 132' but never operate 10m.
  Just my $.02 worth.

Regards - Pat W0OPW