Design of a very broadband dipole

The techniques involved in designing a 2.5:1 bandwidth dipole above a finite ground plane are described. The antenna was computer-modeled using the method-of-moments technique. The balun network was designed to match the actual dipole impedance using microwave circuit computer-aided design techniques. Measured results verify the dipole operation over a bandwidth in excess of 2.5:1 with a gain better than 7 dBi and a SWR below 2. The dipole/balun is found to be simple to construct and is well suited for use as a single radiator or as a phased-array element.<>