Decade band tapered slot antenna, and methods of making and configuring same

An antenna element (12) having a dielectric layer (18), an electrically conductive layer (28) and an elongate conductive element (67), wherein the dielectric layer (18) has a hole (49) through thereof, the electrically conductive layer (28) is disposed adjacent a surface of said dielectric layer (18), said conductive layer (28) engraved in the same recess includes a part of balun (46) and part of tapered slot (37), said groove portion (47) a narrow end communicating with said portion of balun (46) and said part of balun (46) aligned with said hole (49) through said dielectric layer being the elongated conductor (67) element directly connected to said conductive layer (28) and in the same plane (18) and being the same, said conductive layer (28) extending generally transversely relative to said slot portion ( 47) in the region of said narrow end thereof, wherein said hole (49) through said dielectric layer (18) has substantially the same size and shape as said part of balun (46) of said recess of said conductive layer (28) element including a further conductive layer (27) having therein a further recess, he said further recess part additional balun (43) and including a part of additional slot (44) communicating at one end with said further balun (43), said slot portions (44, 47) of said recess of similar size and shape and being substantially aligned with each other and with said further balun (43) substantially the same shape and size as said opening (49) through said dielectric layer (18) and being aligned therewith.