Abstract: A folded broadband antenna provides a symmetrical radiation pattern comparable to corresponding planar antennas (such as a planar spiral). The folded antenna can be integrated into a leading edge radome, eliminating the forward antenna cavity, and thereby, eliminating the internal wall reflections that cause radiation pattern distortion. A broadband antenna (61/62), such as an archimedean spiral, is folded at an apex area (64) that includes a fold-slot (66). The fold-slot enhances flexure, and allows a center-feed balun shielding tube (84) to extend into close proximity to the antenna aperture (61) for increased balun shielding.

Abstract: A broadband two arm planar/conical/helix antenna is disclosed. The antenna radiation element includes a two arm planar spiral antenna section, a two arm conical spiral section connected to the planar spiral section and a four arm helix section connected to the conical spiral section for termination. The antenna element is formed on a fiberglas substrate which contains a molded internal load absorber. A tapered magnetic external load absorber covers the antenna radiation element. The supporting fiberglas substrate is fixed to a balun housing. The balun housing has a centrally disposed, upwardly extending tubular means for passing a feed line to the planar spiral section.