Do Small Antennas Have Lower RCS Than Bigger Ones

6 Do Small Antennas Have Lower RCS Than Bigger Ones  

It is well known that the RCS of a large flat plate with physical area A is at broadside proportional to A. What is perhaps less well known is the fact that the RCS of the same plate at oblique incidence is basically independent of A (at least in the principal planes). Thus, when it comes to RCS of an object in general, its size may or may not be an issue. 

Whatever thought process goes through some people s minds (or lack thereof) it is sometimes suggested that a small antenna in terms of wavelength has a smaller RCS than a larger one. As an example, consider a dipole of total length 

But is there no difference between the two cases at all Certainly Namely their bandwidth. The RCS of the short dipole will simply deteriorate faster from its maximum value than will the longer one as a function of frequency. See also Chapter 7. 

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