How directional is a horizontal dipole?

[The Jerk]

Just how directional are they? Real directional? Somewhat? Not noticeable?

I'm trying to figure out if I keep this [droopy] dipole I have or buy/build something else. I'd rather have less directionality, so its an up and done once (without the need of a rotor).

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

It depends how high they are in terms of wavelength. Any dipole less than a half wavelength high is going to be pretty much omnidirectional with very slight nulls off the ends. A lot of the RF is also going to go straight up too. Once a dipole becomes about a full wavelength above ground it will display the characteristic figure 8 pattern with deep nulls of the ends. Inverted Vee antennas tend to be decent performers and are pretty much omnidirectional with a little more vertical polarity off the ends than broadside to it.

 

[The Jerk]

Ok, I'm looking to put it up about 50-feet (or so), so that means reconfiguring as you indicated...I'm trying to stay simple (no rotor) so that I'm not taking it up/down all the time.