RF dimension planning tool
Calculator controls and results
Turn frequency into physical wavelength, useful fractions, and defensible antenna starting dimensions.
Understanding wavelength and antenna dimensions
Wavelength is the physical distance occupied by one complete electromagnetic cycle. Frequency and wavelength are inversely related: higher frequency produces a shorter wavelength.
Free-space length versus a finished antenna
The calculator uses the defined speed of light to produce free-space wavelength and geometric fractions. These are theoretical starting dimensions, not exact antenna cut lengths or guaranteed resonant dimensions.
Dipoles, length factor, and velocity factor
An ideal half-wave dipole is one-half wavelength tip to tip, with two approximately quarter-wave elements. Antenna length factor is kept separate from transmission-line velocity factor because they describe different physical contexts.