A hand held Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader is provided. The reader includes a housing having a perimeter around an inner edge. The reader also includes a full-sized dipole antenna including two antenna elements coupled by a balun transformer. The antenna has nearly a unity gain over a range of angles. The reader also includes a transceiver, coupled to the dipole antenna by a suitable cable, the transceiver adapted to send and receive signals. The reader further includes a processor for processing signals received at the antenna. The first and the second antenna segments of the dipole antenna are wrapped along the perimeter around the inner edge of the housing.