Antenna Overview 1

An antenna is a device that:

Converts RF power applied to its feed point into electromagnetic radiation. Intercepts energy from a passing electromagnetic radiation, which appears as RF voltage across the antennas feed point.

The intensity of the radiation launched by the antenna is generally not the same in all directions. This radiation pattern is the same whether the antenna is used to transmit or receive signals The ratio of the maximum radiation by a given antenna to the radiation of a reference in the same direction is called the directivity:

Antenna Overview 2
Two common directivity measures:
dBi dB referenced to an isotropic (equal radiation in all directions) radiator. dBd dB referenced to a half wavelength dipole (more about dipoles later).

The feed point impedance of an antenna is generally complex. The real component has two components:
Loss resistance due to the conductivity of the antenna itself and losses caused by other objects near the antenna (such as the ground) Radiation resistance, which represents the transfer of power from the antenna into the radiated field.

In addition to the radiated electromagnetic field, also known as the far field, there is a field that exists only in the immediate vicinity of the antenna known as the near field. Power is stored in the near field, not radiated, although the near field can couple to other objects near the antenna and transfer RF power to them. Both directivity and impedance are dependent of the frequency of the RF

Antenna Overview 3
Antennas can be composed of any conductive material, although high conductivity materials such as aluminum and copper are the best choices. RF currents in a conductor flow only near the conductors surface; thus antennas can be made from hollow tubing, without compromising performance. Meshed elements may be used, provided that the holes in the mesh are much smaller (a factor of 10 or more) than the wavelength at which the antenna will be used.

Dipole Fundamentals
A dipole is antenna composed of a single radiating element split into two sections, not necessarily of equal length. The RF power is fed into the split. The radiators do not have to be straight.