Abstract: A combination antenna for aircraft application is disclosed. The antenna has a shell similar to that of a conventional VHF communication antenna, but it houses a monopole VHF and a volute GPS antennas. Provisions are made to enable the GPS antenna to be situated beneath the VHF antenna, but yet have full view of the upper hemisphere and avoid interference even though no structural shielding is provided. The combination antenna is mountable on the pre-existing base used for the conventional single VHF communication antenna and is operable with the pre-existing cable used to transmit the signal of the replaced single VHF communication antenna.

Abstract: A planar patch array antenna for satellite communications. The antenna includes a planar patch array and a dual axis positioner for rotating the array about azimuth and elevation axes. The dual axis positioner is unique in that it consists of a plurality of individual modules which can be easily assembled and disassembled. The positioner consists of the following modules: a fixed pedestal, an azimuth drive module, an azimuth rotary module, an RF/slip ring module, an elevation drive module, an antenna support and an electronic module. According to the invention, the pedestal remains fixed and the azimuth drive module is received in a recess defined by the pedestal. The azimuth rotary module is rotatably supported on the pedestal and is driven by the azimuth drive module so that it rotates about the vertical or azimuth axis. The elevation drive module is fixed to the rotary drive module and rotatably supports the antenna support module.