Antenna for underwater communications

A method for configuring an antenna for underwater communications, the method comprising the steps of:

• coupling a first radiating element to a first potential level;
• coupling a second radiating element to a second potential level, the first and second potential levels being substantially different for generating an electrostatic field from the first radiating element and the second radiating element;
• providing a first field shaping structure for controlling field propagation in a first direction;
• and
• providing a second field shaping structure for controlling field propagation in a second direction, the first and second field shaping structures being interdisplaced for defining a field pathway, the first and second radiating elements being disposed adjacent to the first and second field shaping structures and along the field pathway for directing the electrostatic field in a propagation direction through a liquid medium,
• wherein the propagation direction is defined by the field pathway and substantially perpendicular to at least one of the first and second directions.