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Dipole Antenna Calculator

Calculators / Dipole Antenna

Dipole Antenna
Calculator

Calculate the optimal length of a half-wave dipole antenna based on frequency, conductor diameter, and velocity factor. Professional RF engineering tool for precise antenna dimensions.

Arm (L/2) Arm (L/2) Total Length (L ≈ λ/2) Feedline
Frequency Tuning 144.00 MHz
3 MHz450 MHz
Radiating Element Coaxial Feed

⚙ Half-Wave Dipole Engine

Affects length via thick-dipole correction

Wave speed ratio conductor vs free space (0.95 = bare copper)

Affects loss resistance & efficiency

Advanced Parameters

End capacitance shortening (0.95–0.98 typical)

°C

Scales conductor resistivity

m

Modifies feedpoint impedance

SWR: —

Calculated Results

Total Length (L) m
Arm Length (L/2)
Wavelength (λ)

Radiation Resistance
Loss Resistance (Rloss)
Radiation Efficiency
Feedpoint Impedance
SWR (vs feed line)
Gain (dBd / dBi)0.0 / 2.15 dBi
Enter values above to calculate.

📖 The Fundamental Theory

A half-wave dipole consists of two identical conductive elements arranged symmetrically. Total length ≈ λ/2 at the operating frequency.

Core Formula

L = (143 × k × e) / f

L in metres, f in MHz, k = velocity factor, e = end-effect. Diameter adds thick-dipole shortening.

Conductor diameter affects length via the thick-dipole shortening factor. Material resistivity determines loss resistance and radiation efficiency.

📡 Radiation Pattern Viewer

Live Simulation |
Dipole Type
Frequency Tuning 144 MHz
Simulation Ground
Height Above Ground 0.50 λ
E-Plane (2D) 90° 270° 180° Antenna axis (null) Max Max
3D Gain Pattern Null Null Max Max Broadside → max gain Antenna axis
Pattern Analysis Insights

Half-wave dipole free-space pattern: classic figure-8. Max gain ≈ 2.15 dBi broadside, deep nulls along antenna axis.


Common Applications

📻

Amateur Radio

Most popular HF/VHF antenna due to simplicity and performance.

📡

FM Broadcast

Base element for vertical FM transmission arrays in broadcast stations.

🔬

RF Experiments

Reference antenna for testing signal strength and gain of arrays.

🎓

Education

Standard model for teaching electromagnetics and antenna theory.

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