Abstract: A retractable antenna including an outer elongate telescopic element extending along an elongate axis, an inner elongate telescopic element which is slidable along the elongate axis with respect to the outer elongate telescopic element from a fully retracted position to a fully extended position; and an extended position retaining spring fixedly positioned with respect to the outer elongate telescopic element for frictional extended position retaining engagement with the inner elongate telescopic element when the inner elongate telescopic element is in the fully extended position but not when the inner elongate telescopic element is generally in a retracted position.

Abstract: An antenna including a base, a windback coil including a longitudinal portion and a coil portion, mechanically mounted onto the base and electrically coupled thereto, and a second coil mechanically mounted onto the base and electrically coupled thereto.

Abstract: A multi-band sleeve dipole antenna including a generally axially disposed elongate inner conductor having first and second ends and arranged to be connected at the first end thereof to a modulated signal source, a generally axially disposed intermediate conductor disposed generally coaxially with respect to the inner conductor and arranged to be connected to ground, a generally axially disposed first outer sleeve conductor disposed generally coaxially with respect to the inner conductor and to the intermediate conductor and a generally axially disposed second outer sleeve conductor having a first and second ends disposed generally coaxially with respect to the inner conductor and to the intermediate conductor.

Abstract: A retractable antenna including an outer elongate telescopic element extending along an elongate axis, an inner elongate telescopic element which is slidable along the elongate axis with respect to the outer elongate telescopic element from a fully retracted position to a fully extended position; and an extended position retaining spring fixedly positioned with respect to the outer elongate telescopic element for frictional extended position retaining engagement with the inner elongate telescopic element when the inner elongate telescopic element is in the fully extended position but not when the inner elongate telescopic element is generally in a retracted position.

Abstract: An antenna particularly suitable for a portable communication device and including an elongate portion integrally formed with at least one first coil portion arranged about the elongate portion and in at least partially overlapping relationship therewith. A portable communication device employing the antenna is also described.

Abstract: A variable gain and variable beamwidth antenna including at least first and second generally planar antenna elements and an antenna element orienter for selectably varying the relative physical orientation of the at least first and second generally planar antenna elements, thereby selectably varying the gain and beamwidth of the antenna.

Abstract: A wireless transmitting utility meter including a utility usage metering subsystem, a meter status sensing subsystem operative to sense a status of the utility usage metering subsystem and to provide a meter reading output, a wireless transmitter operative to receive the meter reading output and to provide a transmitter output and an antenna receiving the transmitter output and providing a wireless transmission, at least a portion of the antenna forming part of the utility usage metering subsystem.

Abstract: A multi-band sleeve dipole antenna including a generally axially disposed elongate inner conductor having first and second ends and arranged to be connected at the first end thereof to a modulated signal source, a generally axially disposed intermediate conductor disposed generally coaxially with respect to the inner conductor and arranged to be connected to ground, a generally axially disposed first outer sleeve conductor disposed generally coaxially with respect to the inner conductor and to the intermediate conductor and a generally axially disposed second outer sleeve conductor having a first and second ends disposed generally coaxially with respect to the inner conductor and to the intermediate conductor.

Abstract: A connection mechanism for snap-fitting an antenna into a hole in a receptacle, the receptacle typically being part of a 2-way mobile communication device. A latch, preferably mounted on a sleeve, including a stem and a latch head, extends around a circumference of the antenna. The latch is inwardly depressible to insert the antenna through the hole and is able to return to a non-depressed position to retain the antenna against the second end.

Abstract: A variable gain and variable beamwidth antenna including at least first and second generally planar antenna elements and an antenna element orienter for selectably varying the relative physical orientation of the at least first and second generally planar antenna elements, thereby selectably varying the gain and beamwidth of the antenna.

Abstract: A retractable antenna for a communication device having an antenna receptacle includes a whip portion, including a conductive rod, and a connector, which includes a base portion of the conductive rod that is formed so as to be received and retained by the receptacle. Preferably, the base portion is bent so as to have a radial outer dimension greater than a radial inner dimension of the receptacle, so that the base portion is compressed radially when it is received by the receptacle.

Abstract: A method for producing an antenna, by introducing a moldable material into a mold and molding the material in the mold into an antenna having a desired shape, preferably a helical shape. The method is used to produce an antenna including a generally rigid, conductive coil, which is mechanically self-supporting.

Abstract: A helical antenna element including a metallic coil, a dielectric support element inserted in the coil, the support element being formed with a generally hollow core, and a dielectric tuning element inserted into said core, the tuning element having at least one adjustable dimension which when adjusted, provides a tuning of an antenna characteristic.

Abstract: A broadband antenna, including a centrally-positioned radiating element, a dielectric support element generally surrounding the centrally-positioned element, and a linear radiating element, which extends along at least part of the length of the centrally-positioned element and a portion of which is wound over the support element around the centrally-positioned element. The centrally-positioned element preferably includes a linear metallic radiator, and the linear radiating element preferably includes a wire, such that the portion of the wire that is wound over the support element defines a helical radiator.

Abstract: A retractable antenna module including a first, generally stationary plate and a second plate, movable relative to the first plate. The second plate moves between a retracted configuration of the module, in which the plates together function substantially as a feedthrough-fed antenna, and an extended configuration of the module, in which the second plate functions substantially as a monopole antenna.

Abstract: An antenna for connection to a communication device, the antenna having a base, which is inserted into a receptacle in the communication device, and including a connection mechanism, coupled to the base, which locks the antenna to the receptacle in response to a linear movement of at least a portion of the antenna.

Abstract: A retractable antenna system for an electrical device includes a rod antenna movable to an extended position or to a retracted position, an electrical coil carried by one end of the rod antenna and movable therewith to the extended and retracted positions, and a coil antenna carried by the electrical device coaxially with the rod antenna such as to enclose the electrical coil and to be electromagnetically coupled thereto in the retracted position of the rod antenna and electrical coil.

Abstract: An electrical transmitter-receiver, particularly useful as a CT2 cordless telephone, includes a quarter wavelength antenna rod carried by the housing, and a quarter wavelength antenna coil carried by one end of the antenna rod. The antenna rod is movably mounted through an opening in its housing to a retracted position wherein substantially only the antenna coil is disposed externally of the housing, or to an extended position wherein substantially the complete antenna rod and the antenna coil are disposed externally of the housing. When the antenna rod is in its retracted position an electrical switch connects the antenna coil to the electrical circuit, and when the antenna rod is in its extended position an electrical switch connects the antenna rod to the electrical circuit.