Abstract: A rugged telephone antenna device for transmitting a short pulse duration signal of predetermined radio frequency that eliminates a trailing antenna resonance signal. The device includes a flexible or protected gas filled tube; a voltage source for developing an electrically conductive path along a length of the tube corresponding to a resonant wavelength multiple of the predetermined radio frequency; and a signal transmission source coupled to the tube for supplying a radio frequency signal to the conductive path for antenna transmission. A method for transmitting a short pulse signal without a trailing residual signal is also provided.