I noticed you have the RTL-SDR blog dipole. I’ve used that for NOAA-APT and Meteor LRPT in the past just fine. 120 degree V shape helps with impedance.

Handheld you can also adjust for elevation. Half wavelength (around 1m) above ground will work for most passes, but bringing it lower increases gain towards the top (held horizontally).

I never learned NEC, so I can’t prove it to you.