What is a key characteristic of an omnidirectional antenna?

An omnidirectional antenna is designed to radiate electromagnetic energy equally in all directions within a specific plane, typically horizontal. This characteristic allows it to provide a broad coverage area, making it suitable for applications where signals need to be transmitted or received from multiple directions, such as in wireless communication systems or when providing coverage in a large area.

By dispersing signals uniformly, omnidirectional antennas can effectively communicate with devices that are not fixed in one direction, contributing to their versatility in environments where users or devices may move around. This omnidirectional capability differentiates them from directional antennas, which focus their energy in a specific direction, leading to higher gain in that limited area rather than widespread coverage.