Abstract: A multiband satellite communication antenna system includes a primary reflector and one or more movable subreflectors. A system with one subreflector operates at a first band when the subreflector is in a deployed position and reflects energy between a first feed and the primary antenna. When the subreflector is at a second, stowed, position, the primary reflector operates directly into a second feed. A communication antenna system with two subreflectors can operate at three bands under the conditions of having either both subreflectors stowed; the first subreflector deployed and the second subreflector stowed; or both subreflectors deployed.

Abstract: An antenna tracking system tracks a primary antenna to follow a moving signal source, such as a communication satellite. A secondary antenna has a greater beam width than the primary antenna and receives the same tracking signal from the satellite. The primary antenna is tracked according to a predetermined search pattern which causes a variation in the signal amplitude depending upon the relative location of the satellite and the antenna position. The signal strength signals from the two antennas are input to a summation function which takes the difference of the two signals. The noise and signal variation component of the two signals is substantially the same and is therefore eliminated from the resulting difference signal. An antenna control unit utilizes the resulting difference signal to select the optimum signal strength for the particular step of the search pattern.

Abstract: A multi-band multi-element directional antenna array having a driven element and at least one parasitic element with a network at the center of each element interconnecting element opposite side radiators. While some of these would be a driven element and either a reflector or director parasitic element array most applications call for at least three elements, a driven element, a reflector element and a director element, and for some applications, additional parasitic director elements are added. While antenna arrays embodying features hereof may be adapted as two band f.sub.1 f.sub.2, f.sub.2 f.sub.3, or f.sub.1 f.sub.3 antenna arrays, primary useage would be in a three radio band f.sub.1, f.sub.2, f.sub.3 version with band nominal center frequencies related, approximately by the progression 1, 1.5, 2 (example 14, 21, and 28 MHz).

Abstract: A three band monopole antenna with such length as to be of greater electrical length than a quarter wavelength of the two highest frequency bands and shorter than a quarter wavelength of the lowest frequency band. The antenna system includes a matching network at its base matching the antenna on three frequency bands related by, substantially, the progression 1, 2, 4, and with the matching network including a shunt inductor and an inductor and capacitor in series with the signal feedpoint.

Abstract: An antenna combiner 2.sup.n antenna element system with switchable variable delay line length broadband beam and null steering through 360.degree. in azimuth.