Abstract: An compact and rugged antenna system particularly suited to direction finding includes a plurality of antenna arrays for receiving respective frequency bands and colocated on a mast with separation between antenna arrays along the mast. The mast includes a coil wound of an insulator and functioning as a loaded inductor to shift the mast resonance out of the frequency band of the antenna system. A VHF dipole array having elements shaped to reduce scattering to UHF and SHF arrays is supported on movable arms which allow retraction that reduces height and provides mechanical protection to one or more other arrays as well as damping against vibration by contacting the mast with shaped portions of the dipole elements. The bowtie elements of the UHF array are angled at a central region to optimize array diameter at low UHF frequencies. A finned RF electronics housing is preferably provided which reduces solar loading and dissipates heat from antenna electronics.

Abstract: A multi-element, H plane, phase, dipole array antenna has a high gain over a wide angle in azimuth and over a controlled sector in elevation. Two printed wiring boards feed and physically support the dipole antenna elements. The phase and spacing of the dipole elements establish the radiation elevation angle, and a planar metallic reflector, spaced on the order of a half wavelength of the RF signal from the dipole array, interacts with the dipole-element pattern, to provide the wide angle azimuth gain.

Abstract: A multi-element, H plane, phased, dipole array antenna has a high gain over a wide angle in azimuth and over a controlled sector in elevation. Two printed wiring boards feed and physically support the dipole antenna elements. The phase and spacing of the dipole elements establish the radiation elevation angle, and a planar metallic reflector, spaced on the order of a half wavelength of the RF signal from the dipole array, interacts with the dipole-element pattern, to provide the wide angle azimuth gain.

Abstract: A dipole antenna comprises first and second antenna radiators and first and second balanced transmission-line conductors which are electrically connected to the first and second antenna radiators, respectively. An inner conductor and a shield of a coaxial cable are electrically connected to the first and second balanced conductors, respectively to transmit a drive signal to the first and second antenna radiators. A balun is electrically connected to an intersection of the coaxial cable and the first and second balanced conductors. The first and second antenna radiators and the first and second balanced conductors are supported substantially along a common axis such that the first and second balanced conductors separate the first and second antenna radiators from the balun and coaxial cable. The balun can also be supported generally along the same axis.