Which of the following describes a simple dipole oriented parallel to Earth's surface?

• A. A horizontally polarized antenna
• B. A vertically polarized antenna
• C. An omnidirectional antenna
• D. A dual-band antenna

Answer: (A)

A simple dipole antenna that is oriented parallel to the Earth's surface is referred to as a horizontally polarized antenna. This orientation means that when signals are transmitted or received, the electric field of the radio waves is aligned horizontally relative to the ground. This characteristic is important for achieving optimal propagation and reception under various conditions, particularly in line-of-sight situations and during skywave propagation.

The performance of a horizontally polarized antenna is notably different from that of vertically oriented antennas which would have a polarizing effect suited for different applications and environments. An omnidirectional antenna radiates power uniformly in all horizontal directions, but in the case of a simple dipole parallel to the ground, it will predominantly radiate perpendicular to its axis, leading to a directional pattern based on its horizontal orientation. A dual-band antenna refers to antennas designed to operate effectively on two distinct frequency bands, which does not specifically relate to the polarization aspect being asked in this question. Thus, these characteristics emphasize the rationale for identifying a horizontally polarized antenna as the correct answer.