Abstract: Disclosed is a combined antenna and helicopter rotor blade. The antenna has one or more electrically non-conductive rotor blades, each having an electrical conductor positioned parallel to the major axis of a respective rotor blade. An electrical connection is provided to connect the antenna to a radio for the reception or transmission of radio waves. Also disclosed is a communications system including apparatus for the transmission or reception of radio waves. Two of the electrical conductors, having angular positions nearer to a predetermined angular position are connected via the electrical connector to the radio. The remaining conductors may either be connected to the body of the helicopter or supplied with a signal out of phase compared to that supplied to the two electrical conductors.