Dipole antenna
![UHF Half–wave dipole](/Images/godic/202501/17/Half_–_Wave_Dipole0029.jpg")
![UHF half-wave dipole aircraft radar altimeter antenna](/Images/godic/202501/17/Dipole_radar_altimeter_antenna0029.jpg")
![](/Images/godic/202501/17/136_to_174_MHz_base_station_antennas0030.jpg")
![A half-wave dipole antenna receiving power from a radio wave. The electric field of the wave (E, green arrows) pushes the electrons in the antenna elements back and forth (black arrows), charging the ends of the antenna alternately positive and negative. Since the antenna is a half-wavelength long at the radio wave's frequency, it excites standing waves of voltage (V, red) and current in the antenna. These oscillating currents flow down the transmission line into the radio receiver (represented by the resistor R). The action is shown slowed down in this animation.](/Images/godic/202501/17/Dipole_receiving_antenna_animation_6_800x394x150ms0030.gif")
In radio and telecommunications a dipole antenna or doublet is the simplest and most widely used class of antenna. It consists of two identical conductive elements such as metal wires or rods, which are usually bilaterally symmetrical. The driving current from the transmitter is applied, or for receiving antennas the output signal to the receiver is taken, between the two halves of the antenna. Each side of the feedline to the transmitter or receiver is connected to one of the conductors. This contrasts with a monopole antenna, which consists of a single rod or conductor with one side of the feedline connected to it, and the other side connected to some type of ground. A common example of a dipole is the "rabbit ears" television antenna found on broadcast television sets.