In which direction does a half-wave dipole antenna radiate the strongest signal?

A half-wave dipole antenna resembles a straight wire cut in the middle. The radiation pattern of a standard dipole in free space is shaped like a donut, with the antenna wire running through the center of the donut hole. Because of this specific shape, the maximum RF energy radiates perpendicular, or "broadside," to the wire itself. Very little to no signal is radiated directly off the ends of the wire. Therefore, if you want to aim a dipole at a specific geographic location, you should orient it so the broad side faces your target. Distractors like "equally in all directions" describe an isotropic radiator, not a dipole. Furthermore, "off the ends" is the exact opposite of how a dipole behaves and represents the antenna's null points.