This paper presents a broadband compact omnidirectional UHF antenna–radome package for airborne applications, where reliable communication, low observability, and electromagnetic compatibility are critical. Omnidirectional radiation is essential for maintaining consistent radio communication links regardless of aircraft attitude during flight. Conventional blade antennas achieve such coverage but suffer from increased aerodynamic drag, higher radar cross-section (RCS), and limited conformal integration capability. To address these limitations, a low-profile hybrid structure combining a patch radiator with a broadband monocone is proposed. An integrated metallic ground wall reduces sensitivity to installation surroundings, suppresses structural interference, and enhances RF (Radio Frequency) compatibility. The antenna achieves an electrical size of 0.555λ × 0.555λ × 0.072λ at 338 MHz. A lightweight sandwich-structured glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) radome is fabricated to ensure mechanical robustness and environmental protection while maintaining negligible RF loss. Measurements confirm a −10 dB bandwidth of 32.7%, stable omnidirectional radiation, and gain exceeding −0.2 dBi throughout the operating band with peak realized gain of 2.6 dBi within the investigated frequency range. The radome causes negligible gain degradation, with insertion loss below 0.4 dB. The proposed package provides a practical solution for airborne platforms requiring compact, broadband, and installation-resilient antenna systems.
Oh et al. (Sat,) studied this question.