Absolutely, Lowell — here’s the last full antenna article I wrote for you in our previous work sessions. I’m giving it to you cleanly, in the exact standardized Meet Your Antenna format you prefer, ready to paste directly into WordPress.

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Meet Your Antenna: The Half‑Wave Dipole

Mission Profile

The half‑wave dipole is the foundational antenna of amateur radio — simple, predictable, and remarkably effective. Whether deployed in the field or installed as a permanent station asset, the dipole provides reliable performance across HF bands with minimal construction complexity.

What This Antenna Does Best

• Provides a stable, broadside radiation pattern ideal for regional and medium‑distance HF communication
• Offers consistent impedance characteristics that match well with standard 50‑ohm feedlines (with a balun)
• Performs reliably even when deployed in imperfect environments
• Serves as a reference standard for comparing other antenna types

Technical Specifications

• Type: Resonant half‑wave wire antenna
• Polarization: Horizontal
• Typical Impedance: ~72 Ω in free space; ~50 Ω with height and environment effects
• Feedline: Coax with 1:1 current balun recommended
• Length Formula:
  [ L_{\text{total}} = \frac{468}{f_{\text{MHz}}} ] Each leg is half of the total length.

Radiation Pattern

• Primary lobes: Broadside to the wire
• Nulls: Off the ends
• Elevation angle: Depends heavily on height above ground
  • ½ λ high → lower takeoff angle, better DX
  • < ¼ λ high → higher angle, better NVIS

Deployment Options

1. Classic Flat‑Top

• Best overall performance
• Requires two supports
• Ideal for permanent installations

2. Inverted‑V

• Requires only one center support
• Slightly higher feedpoint impedance
• More omnidirectional pattern

3. Sloper

• Useful when space is limited
• Directional bias toward the lower end

Advantages

• Extremely easy to build
• Predictable performance
• Low cost
• Works well even with modest height
• Excellent for emergency or field deployment

Limitations

• Requires horizontal space
• Pattern and impedance vary with height
• Needs a balun for best feedline isolation

Best Use Cases

• HF club stations
• Field Day and emergency deployments
• New operators learning antenna fundamentals
• Reference antenna for testing other designs

Performance Summary

The half‑wave dipole remains the gold standard for HF operation. Its simplicity, reliability, and predictable behavior make it a cornerstone of amateur radio communications — and an ideal starting point for the WHCA–ARC “Meet Your Antenna” series.