Not-So-Random Wire Antenna Theory

The more I look in to the "random wire" antenna the more complicated it gets.

This is supposed to be a 'throw-it-up-in-a-pinch-and-load-with-a-tuner' antenna. So why does it matter?

If you happen to hit a 1/2 wave length with a standard manual antenna tuner you will be in for a trip trying to get it to tune. In most cases it wont. The impedance is simply too high and out of the range of the tuner.

Here are a couple of links I found online while researching this.

The first one is a sub-article by Jack VE3EED over at Hamuniverse. This one is the most comprehensive I have seen. Note the lengths listed in green.

Here is one from Patrick W0IPL. This article is not as comprehensive, but is still a good reference.

One note is there is a bit of variation in the numbers between the two. As far as I can tell nether one takes in to account the velocity factor of the wire used. Keep in mind that the lower the velocity factor the SHORTER the wire.

I wonder if there are any tables on velocity factor of commonly used materials? I will do a little digging on that and see what I come up with.