Tunable antenna for RF metering networks

An antenna assembly for RF communication of signals representing utility meter data, the antenna assembly comprising:

• a first conductor of a capacitor comprising a planar metal sheet material including conductive portions and nonconductive portions;
• a second conductor of the capacitor including conductive portions and non-conductive portions, said second conductor being spaced from the first conductor;
• a spacer of dielectric material disposed between said first conductor and said second conductor, wherein said first conductor and said second conductor form a tuning capacitor in which a dielectric layer is provided by the spacer and by an air space disposed between said first conductor and said second conductor;
• and
• an inductance in cascade with the capacitor to provide a selected L-C circuit impedance in relation to an antenna radiating element;
• and
• wherein the conductive and non-conductive portions of the first conductor are positioned in relation to the conductive and non-conductive portions of the second conductor to select a capacitance of the L-C circuit that provides a selected frequency of operation;
• and
• wherein the first conductor of the capacitor is also the antenna radiating element.