WIDE BAND ANTENNA

A method of manufacturing an antenna element having an upper loop (1)and a lower loop (3), said upper loop (1) comprising a first conductive loop element (2) defined by an upper conductor (9) and a first conductive blade member (10) that tapers outwardly to form a flare portion (11) adjacent a distal end of said upper conductor (9), said lower loop (3) comprising a second conductive loop element (4) defined by a base conductor (5) and a second conductive blade member (6) that tapers outwardly to form a flare portion (8) adjacent a distal end of said base conductor (5), said first and second conductive blade members (10, 6) defining, between their facing edges, a notch which opens outwardly from a feed region (7), said upper loop (1) further comprising an elongate conductive vane (12) extending at an angle from a first location on said upper conductor (9) to a second location on said first conductive blade (10) to define a pair of loops within said upper loop (1), the method comprising: selecting a desired operating frequency range; matching, at said desired operating frequency range an impedance of said antenna element to a transmission line to be connected at said feed region (7) thereof; selecting a predetermined performance characteristic of said antenna element; and: selecting a minimum distance of said second location from said feed region (7) at which said impedance match is maintained and said performance characteristic is attained, and placing said conductive vane (12) within said upper loop (1) such that it extends from said selected second location on said first conductive blade (10) to a first location on said upper conductor (9); and/or selecting an angle of inclination of said conductive vane (12) within said upper loop (1) at which said performance characteristic is attained, and placing said conductive vane (12) at said selected angle of inclination between said first location on said upper conductor (9) and said second location on said first conductive blade (10).