Switched retractable, extendable, dual antennas for portable radio

A method of communication using antenna equipment including first and second antenna elements coupled to a radio circuit, comprising the steps of:

• extending said first antenna element to an extended position for a first communication condition;
• connecting said second antenna element to a ground terminal so as to provide said second antenna element as a matching circuit for said first antenna element in said extended position;
• retracting said first antenna element to a stored position for a second communication condition;
• and
• connecting said second antenna element to an open terminal so as to provide said second antenna element as an antenna when said first antenna element is in said stored position.

Antenna equipment, comprising:

• a case containing a radio circuit;
• a first antenna element, connected to said radio circuit, which is movable between a stored position within said case and an extended position outside of said case;
• means, connected to said first antenna element, for acting as a matching circuit element when said first antenna element is in said extended position and as a second antenna element when said first antenna element is in said stored position;
• and
• a signal line connected between said first antenna element and said radio circuit, wherein said acting means includes a first terminal which is coupled to one end of said first antenna element when said first antenna element is in said stored position, and which is coupled to a second end of said first antenna element when said first antenna element is in said extended position, and wherein said acting means includes a second terminal, said equipment further comprising a switch which couples said second terminal to a ground terminal when said first antenna element is in said extended position and which couples said second terminal to an open circuit when said first antenna element is in said stored position.

A method of communication using antenna equipment including first and second antenna elements coupled to a radio circuit, comprising the steps of:

• extending said first antenna element to an extended position for a first communication condition;
• providing said second antenna element as a matching circuit for said first antenna element in said extended position;
• retracting said first antenna element to a stored position for a second communication condition;
• providing said second antenna element as an antenna when said first antenna element is in said stored position;
• and
• providing a signal line for said second antenna element with said first antenna element, wherein said matching circuit providing step comprises the steps of connecting one end of said second antenna element to a first end of said first antenna element and connecting a second end of said second antenna element to ground, and wherein said antenna providing step comprises the steps of connecting said one end of said second antenna element to a second end of said first antenna element and connecting said second end of said second antenna element to an open circuit.