Abstract: In a transponder adapted to be attached to an object to be identified, an interrogator for interrogating the transponder utilizes an antenna system including first and second antennae with the first antenna being formed as a loop and the second antenna formed in a figure-8 configuration, and being coplanar with the first antenna. A source of power provides first and second transmission signals to the first and second antennae, respectively. A phase shift is introduced between the first and second transmission signals such that the first and second antennae create an electromagnetic interrogating field in a desired region with the electromagnetic field having a non-zero value at all points within the desired region for activating the transponder regardless of the orientation of the transponder. At least one of the two antennae may be arranged to function as a receiving antenna to receive signals emitted by the transponder.