Portable antennas....dipole vs. vertical

[KJ3N]

How short can a vertical be and still be at least as good as a low dipole for distant communication? Especially if it's got a top hat?

The question is an apples to oranges comparison.

Low dipoles aren't good for distant communications. They're good for maybe the first 100-400 miles, depending on exactly how low in height we're talking about.

Verticals are DX antennas. They work best once you get past about 800-1,000 (and further). They stink below a distance of about 400-500 miles.

Ideally, you'd have both. If you can only have one or the other, then you need to decide what's the goal. If, for example, I want to talk to Pittsburgh from DE, I'd choose the low dipole on 75/80. If I want to talk to Europe on 75/80, I pick the vertical.

Nearly every antenna system is a compromise. You have to decide what compromises you're willing to put up with.