Heh, over on birbsite, been talking about antenna theory.

Now -there- is a black art.

For the record, receive antennas don't necessarily need optimization - it's not any big deal if they're cut too long, and, in fact, there's "long wire" designs that are -meant- to be as long as possible.

Transmitting antennas are where the voodoo shows up, though. Getting them to resonate -just so- is "fun"