Wire Dipole Antenna for 75-Meter High-Frequency Radio Applications with Low Apex Height

A wire dipole antenna comprising:

• a pair of elongate conductive wire elements extending in opposite directions from a center feed region, each wire element having a free end and an inner end;
• a center feed assembly positioned at the center feed region, the center feed assembly comprising:
• a central dielectric insulator mechanically supporting the inner ends of the pair of wire elements;
• and
• a coaxial feed line having a center conductor and an outer braid, the coaxial feed line terminating at a feed point adjacent the central dielectric insulator;
• wherein the center conductor of the coaxial feed line is electrically connected to the inner end of a first wire element, and the outer braid of the coaxial feed line is electrically connected to the inner end of the second wire element, such that the pair of wire elements are differentially driven at the feed point;
• wherein each wire element has a length of approximately one-half wavelength at a target operating frequency of approximately 3.900 MHz;
• and
• wherein the pair of wire elements are arranged such that, when installed, the apex of the dipole is approximately 15 feet above ground.