Abstract: A radio antenna has an antenna element 12 which is slidable with respect to a casing of the radio between an extended position (FIG. 5) and a retracted position. In the extended position, a metal plate 15 on the lower end of the antenna element 12 cooperates with a fixed dielectric 17 and a fixed metal plate 17 to form a capacitor providing a signal link to a coaxial cable 18 leading to a matching network. This avoids the need for a sliding metal connection, as in the prior art. In the retracted position of the antenna element 12, the capacitive link is effectively disconnected.