Low profile wide band VHF/UHF antenna

Summary form only given. Many applications in communications and radar require antennas that conform to the surface of the supporting structure. Whenever applicable, the antenna aperture is approximated by a plane with the requirement that the dimension normal to the aperture (“profile”) be minimized. Low profile antennas are of special importance within the VHF/UHF bands where they are used as communications antennas on airborne platforms. In addition to low profiles, these antennas also require wide bandwidths. Meeting both requirements at the long wavelengths involved poses special difficulties. Although the subject of profile reduction for flush mounted antennas is not new, the number of papers dealing specifically with VHF/UHF band designs is surprisingly small. Two recently proposed designs employ variants of a discone antenna.