Antenna question

[Sjinndoawi]

What is the purpose of a Cener load on a Antenna?
Why are they different sizes? Some Center loads I have seen stating 1/2 others saying 5/8
Center loads.
How important are they ,do you really need them?
Do Center Loads increase signal strenth or collect more of the signal?

If their is anything else some one can tell me about Center loads and what they are used for and importance or missed asking,

Thank you for your time..

 

[gewecke]

A good book that will go into this subject in depth,is the ARRL Amateur Radio Handbook. But in short base loaded antenna are more efficient electrically,than center loaded antennas. However some antennas that are "top radiating" have a center load as well as base load. These are usually uhf antennas such as the larsen nmo 450. Many of the questions you're asking can be answered in the manual above,which would take more time than I have here. If you are researching an antenna to buy,keep in mind that a 5/8 wave antenna will offer you more gain and efficiency than a 1/2 wave antenna,but the difference may be physical length.
Good luck.
N9ZAS.