Abstract: A satellite repeater system (10) provides a connection from satellites (12) to user terminals (14) that are located within a building. The satellite cellular repeater system receives satellite signals on a satellite receive antenna (18) and retransmits the received signal within a building using amplifiers (30) and indoor antennas (32). The system also receives signals from a user terminal, amplifies the signals, and retransmits the user terminal signals with an outdoor satellite antenna (20) back to a satellite. For a multi-story building each floor may be provided with a local transmit antenna (32), transmit amplifier (30), receive antenna (34), and receive amplifier (36) for conducting bidirectional communications with satellite telephones or user terminals that are present on that floor.

Abstract: An antenna (70) includes a first sub-structure (72) having a major plane that is oriented at a first angle (for example, 90.degree.) with respect to an axis (normal) that is perpendicular to the surface of the earth. The antenna also includes a plurality (for example six) of second sub-structures (74) individual ones of which have a local major plane that is disposed at a second angle (for example, 45.degree.) to the major plane of the first sub-structure. Each of the plurality of sub-structures have an outwardly pointing normal from the local major plane that is oriented at a third angle (for example, 60.degree.) around the axis from an outwardly pointing normal of an adjacent one of the sub-structures. The outwardly pointing normal of each of the plurality of sub-structures is disposed so as to point away from the axis. At least one antenna element (76) is supported by the first sub-structure and by each of the plurality of second sub-structures.