Vertically correcting antenna for portable telephone handsets

A portable phone unit for use in satellite communication systems has a vertically correcting antenna module pivotally secured to the handset for free rotation about a pivot axis. The module contains a mechanism, such as a gravitational counterweight for urging the module to pivot into a predetermined vertical orientation regardless of the handset orientation. An antenna projects from the module in a direction which is vertically upright when the module is in its predetermined vertical orientation. A mast mounted antenna module can also be used to take advantage of dissimilar antenna segment weights for multiple frequency antennas. As the handset is moved into an angular orientation, the module pivots under the weight of the counterweight, or a portion of the antenna itself, until the antenna is oriented vertically.