Analysis of a bent-dipole

We review the optimized properties of a bent-dipole by modeling the radiator with a methods of moment (MOM) code in order to determine its useful bandwidth, its free-space gain patterns, and its over a ground gain patterns. This antenna can be useful at low frequencies (HF band, 2–30MHz), where a half wavelength dipole may be too big or mechanically too complex to set up. A bent-dipole has been optimized by modeling and fabricated for the 9–38 MHz bands with approximately half the size of a 9-M Hz dipole (7 m vs. 16 m). A "bent-monopole" can also be obtained by splitting the antenna in half and feed it over a suitable ground plane.