Abstract:
First and second helical antenna elements are connected in series with a radio signal. The first helical antenna element resonates at a first frequency as a ¼-wavelength antenna. The series combination of the first and second helical antenna elements resonates as a ¾ wavelength antenna at a second frequency respectively. The two frequencies differ by less than a factor of three. A retractable rod antenna shorts out one of the antenna elements in an extended position at which it is connected to the radio, and is disconnected from the radio in its retracted position. The rod antenna resonates as a ¼-wavelength antenna at the first frequency.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an antenna device provided for a portable radio such as a portable cellular phone and, more particularly, to an antenna device which enables transmission and reception of signals at two different frequencies. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In a portable radio device, such as a portable cellular phone, which is used while being carried outside, a whip antenna projecting from a housing of the radio is retracted into the housing so as to make the radio as compact as possible while the radio is being carried. 
     This type of portable radio uses a helical antenna constantly connected to feeding hardware to enable transmission and reception of a signal regardless of whether the whip antenna is housed in the housing or extended. Japanese Patent Publication of Translated Version (PCT) No. Hei-9-505956 discloses an antenna device which resonates at two radio different frequencies even while a whip antenna is retracted into the housing. 
     Referring now to FIG. 9, a prior art antenna device  100  comprises a fixed antenna section  130  and a slide antenna section  103 . The fixed antenna section  130  includes a first helical antenna element  116  consisting of a first coil and a second helical antenna element  114  consisting of a second coil. Both antenna elements are helically wrapped around a cylindrical insulating sleeve  104 . The coils are connected at one end to a conductive sleeve  109  attached to one end of the insulating sleeve  104 . The conductive sleeve  109  is electrically connected to transmission and reception circuits of a portable radio (not shown), thus constituting means for attaching the antenna device  100  to the portable radio. 
     The slide antenna  103  is a rod antenna element disposed below an insulating cover  125 . Slide antenna  103  passes through the insulating sleeve  104  and the conductive sleeve  109 . The slide antenna  103  can be extended from and retracted into the portable radio in the axial direction. 
     When the slide antenna  103  is retracted to a housed position, the rod antenna element is positioned below the conductive sleeve  109 . The rod antenna element is disconnected from the conductive sleeve  109  by means of the insulating cover  125  and hence is out of use. As shown in an equivalent circuit diagram shown in FIG. 10, the fixed antenna  130  is connected to the conductive sleeve  109 , and the first and second helical antenna elements  116  and  114  resonate at resonance frequencies f11 and f12. 
     As shown in FIG. 11, when compared with the capability of an antenna device having one helical antenna which resonates at frequency f10 (denoted by a dashed line in FIG.  11 ), the bandwidth capability of the antenna device  100  covers a much wider range. 
     When the slide antenna  103  is extended, the lower end of the rod antenna element is electrically connected to the conductive sleeve  109 , and the rod antenna acts as a whip antenna resonating at the frequency f10. 
     The conventional antenna device  100  enables transmission and reception of a signal regardless whether the slide antenna  103  is housed or extended. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, while the slide antenna  103  is housed, the antenna device  100  enables transmission and reception of a radio signal at two frequencies f11 and f12. 
     In recent years, a frequency band used for mobile communications equipment has differed from field to field. For example, an automobile telephone is allocated a range of 900 MHz, and a personal handyphone system (PHS) is allocated a range of 1.9 GHz. There is a desire for a portable radio capable of being used with both communications system. For this reason, there has been desired what is called a dual-band-capable antenna device which enables transmission and reception of a signal at either of the bands. 
     However, in the previously-described conventional antenna device  100 , when the slide antenna section  103  is housed, the fixed antenna section  130  enables transmission and reception of a signal over a broad range. To this end, the two helical antenna elements are adjusted so as to resonate at comparatively close frequencies f11 and f12. Accordingly, the conventional antenna device  100  does not cope with communication at completely different frequency bands. If an attempt is made to cope with such communication through use of an antenna which is identical structure with the conventional antenna device  100 , there is a need to connect the two helical antenna elements  114  and  116  having completely different extended strengths to the conductive sleeve  109  with a side-by-side configuration. This results in not only impairment of appearance of the portable radio but also an increase in the number of components, thereby rendering assembly of the portable radio laborious. 
     The conventional antenna device  100  causes only the rod antenna elements to serve as an antenna while the slide antenna section is extended. Accordingly, the antenna device  100  cannot enable the rod antenna elements to cope with two completely different frequency bands. Consequently, the conventional antenna device  100  cannot cause the antenna elements to resonate at two completely different frequencies and to enable transmission and reception of a signal at respective frequencies regardless of whether the slide antenna is housed or extended. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been conceived to solve the foregoing problems. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an antenna device which enables a portable radio to transmit and receive signals in frequency bands used for two types of different communications systems, but using only one type of antenna element. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an antenna device which enables storage of a slide antenna and enables a portable radio to transmit and receive a signal in any of the frequency bands used by two types of different communications system. 
     To these ends, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna device comprising: 
     feeding hardware attached to a housing of a portable radio; and 
     a helical antenna element whose base end is connected to the feeding hardware, wherein the helical antenna element is caused to resonate at a first frequency as a ¼-wavelength helical antenna and to resonate at a second frequency lower than three times the first frequency as a ¾-wavelength helical antenna, by adjustment of an extended length and a winding pitch. 
     The ¼-wavelength helical antenna resonating at a first frequency f1 again reaches an impedance close to that at which the helical antenna resonates at the first frequency f1, at a second frequency f2 which is lower than three times the first frequency f1. Even when the ¼-wavelength helical antenna is used as a ¾-wavelength helical antenna, its standing-wave voltage ratio (SWVR) does not change at all. Accordingly, it is possible to cause one helical antenna element connected at one end to feeding hardware to resonate at the first and second frequencies f1 and f2 by adjustment of an extended length and a winding pitch, thereby enabling transmission and reception of a signal in two different frequency bands. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna device comprising: 
     a rod antenna element which resonates at a first frequency as a ¼-wavelength whip antenna; 
     a movable contact section which is electrically connected to a base end of the rod antenna element and is continually provided in line with the rod antenna element; 
     an insulating cover which covers the rod antenna element; 
     a slide antenna section along an upper outer peripheral surface of which the insulating cover becomes exposed and along a lower outer peripheral surface of which the movable contact section becomes exposed; 
     feeding hardware which is attached to a housing of a portable radio, causes the slide antenna section to fit into a support hole formed in the center of the housing such that the slide antenna section comes out of and fits into the housing, and resiliently comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the slide antenna; 
     a first helical antenna resonates at a second frequency lower than three times the first frequency as a ¼-wavelength helical antenna by adjustment of an extended length and a winding pitch; 
     a second helical antenna whose base end is electrically connected to the feeding hardware; and 
     joint hardware which connects the first helical antenna element tip end of the second helical antenna element, and resiliently comes into contact with the outer surface of the slide antenna section which comes out of and fits into the housing, wherein a fixed antenna section including the first helical antenna element, the joint hardware, and the second helical antenna element is made to resonate at the first frequency as a ¼-wavelength helical antenna and to resonate at the second frequency as a ¾-wavelength helical antenna, by adjustment of an extended length and winding pitch of the second helical antenna element; 
     when the slide antenna is pushed into the housing, the feeding hardware and the joint hardware come into resilient contact with an insulation cover, and the fixed antenna section electrically connected to the feeding hardware resonates at the first and second frequencies; and 
     when the slide antenna is withdrawn from the housing, the feeding hardware and the joint hardware come into resilient contact with the movable contact section, both ends of the second helical antenna element are short-circuited by means of the movable contact section, and the rod antenna element electrically connected to the feeding hardware by way of the movable contact section and the first helical antenna element resonate at the first and second frequencies. 
     The slide antenna section is fitted into the support hole of the feeding hardware attached to the housing of the portable radio, so that the slide antenna section is pushed into or withdrawn from the housing. 
     When the slide antenna section is pushed into the housing, the rod antenna element and the feeding hardware are insulated by means of an exposed insulation cover along an upper outer peripheral surface of the slide antenna section. The fixed antenna section which includes the first helical antenna element, the joint hardware, and the second helical antenna element connected in series acts as both a ¼-wavelength grounded antenna whose base end is connected to feeding hardware and a ¾-wavelength grounded antenna. The fixed antenna section resonates at a first frequency f1 and a second frequency f2 lower than the first frequency f1. 
     When the slide antenna section is withdrawn from the housing, the slide antenna section is connected to the rod antenna element. The exposed movable contact section on the lower outer peripheral surface of the slide antenna section is electrically connected to both the feeding hardware and the joint hardware. Accordingly, the second helical antenna element whose both ends are connected to the feeding hardware and the joint hardware does not act as an antenna. 
     The first helical antenna element is connected at the base end to the feeding hardware by way of the joint hardware and the movable contact section and resonates at the second frequency f2 as a ¼-wavelength helical antenna. The rod antenna element is connected to the feeding hardware by way of the movable contact section connected to the base end of the rod antenna element and resonates at the first frequency f1 as a ¼-wavelength whip antenna. 
     Accordingly, the slide antenna section becomes retractable, and the antenna device can transmit and receive a signal at two different types of frequency bands whether the antenna is housed or withdrawn. 
     Briefly stated, the present invention provides first and second helical antenna elements that are connected in series with a radio signal. The first helical antenna element resonates at a first frequency as a ¼-wavelength antenna. The series combination of the first and second helical antenna elements resonates as a ¾ wavelength antenna at a second frequency respectively. The two frequencies differ by less than a factor of three. A retractable rod antenna shorts out one of the antenna elements in an extended position at which it is connected to the radio, and is disconnected from the radio in its retracted position. The rod antenna resonates as a ¼-wavelength antenna at said first frequency. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided an antenna device for attachment to a portable radio comprising: feeding hardware attached to the portable radio, a helical antenna element, a base end of the helical antenna element connected to the feeding hardware, the helical antenna element having a winding length and a winding pitch effective to resonate the helical antenna element at a first frequency as a ¼-wavelength helical antenna and to resonate at a second frequency as a ¾-wavelength helical antenna, and the second frequency being less than three times the first frequency. 
     According to a feature of the invention, there is provided an antenna device for a portable radio comprising: a retractable rod antenna element, the rod antenna element having a length effective to resonate at a first frequency as a ¼-wavelength whip antenna, the radio including means for permitting movement of the rod antenna element between retracted and extended positions, a movable contact section electrically connected to a base end of the rod antenna element, the movable contact section being coaxial with the rod antenna element, an insulating cover covering the rod antenna element, a slide antenna section on the rod antenna element, an upper outer peripheral surface of the slide antenna section including the insulating cover becomes exposed when the rod antenna element is in its extended position, a conductive portion at a base portion of the rod antenna element, feeding hardware attached to the portable radio, the feeding hardware further including resilient means for contacting the outer peripheral surface of the slide antenna, a fixed antenna made up of a first helical antenna section and a second helical antenna section connected end to end, a second helical antenna section whose base end is electrically connected to the feeding hardware and whose outer end is connected in series with the first helical antenna section, the first and second helical antenna having lengths and winding pitches which renders a series combination of the first and second helical antennas resonant as ¼-wavelength antenna at a first frequency and as a ¾-wavelength antenna at a second frequency, the first and second frequencies differ by less than a factor of three, joint hardware connecting the first helical antenna element to the second helical antenna element, the joint hardware resiliently contacting an outer surface of the rod antenna as it moves between the extended and retracted positions, the feeding hardware and the joint hardware contacting the insulation cover when the rod antenna is in its retracted position, whereby and the fixed antenna section electrically connected to the feeding hardware resonates at the first and second frequencies, and when the rod antenna is in the extended position, the feeding hardware and the joint hardware come into resilient contact with the movable contact section, ends of the second helical antenna element are short-circuited by the movable contact section, and the rod antenna element is electrically connected to the feeding hardware by way of the movable contact section, whereby the first helical antenna element and the rod antenna resonate at the first and second frequencies. 
     According to a further feature of the invention, there is provided an antenna for a portable radio comprising: a first helical antenna, a second helical antenna connected at a first end to a first end of the first helical antenna, the first helical antenna and the second helical antenna having lengths and winding pitches effective to resonate as a ¼-wavelength antenna at a first frequency and as a ¾-wavelength antenna at a second frequency, a rod antenna, the rod antenna having a length effective to resonate as a ¼ wavelength antenna at the first frequency, means for permitting movement of the rod antenna between a retracted position and an extended position, a conductive portion on an exterior of the rod antenna, feeding hardware in the portable radio for feeding a radio signal to the antenna, the feeding hardware being permanently connected to a second end of the second helical antenna, the rod antenna being out of electrical contact with the feeding hardware in the retracted position, and the conductive portion short circuiting the second helical antenna and being connected to the feeding hardware in the extended position, whereby the rod antenna is connected as a ¼-wavelength antenna in the extended position. 
     According to a still further feature of the invention, there is provided an antenna for a portable radio comprising: a helical antenna, the helical antenna having a first portion having a first length and a first winding pitch effective to resonate as a ¼-wavelength antenna at a first frequency, and a second portion having a second length and a second winding pitch effective to resonate in series with the first portion as a ¾-wavelength antenna at a second frequency, a rod antenna, the rod antenna having a length effective to resonate as a ¼-wavelength antenna at the first frequency, means for permitting moving the rod antenna between a retracted position and an extended position, shorting means, effective in the extended position to short the second portion and to connect the rod antenna electrically in parallel with the first portion, and an insulation on the rod antenna effective, in the retracted position, to disconnect the rod antenna electrically from the helical antenna. 
     According to another feature of the invention, there is provided an antenna for a radio comprising: a helical antenna, the helical antenna having first and second portions, the first and second portions resonating at a first frequency and a second frequency, a rod antenna having an extended position and a retracted position, and means movable with the rod antenna for shorting one of the first and second portions, and for connecting the rod antenna electrically to the radio. 
     The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the principal elements of an antenna device according to one embodiment of the present invention when the antenna device is housed. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the principal elements of the antenna device when the antenna is extended. 
     FIG. 3 is a partially-exploded cross-sectional view showing the constituent elements of the antenna device. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing cylindrical hardware 
     FIG. 5A is an equivalent circuit diagram showing the antenna device of a portable radio when the antenna is housed. 
     FIG. 5B is an equivalent circuit diagram showing the antenna device of the portable radio when the antenna is extended. 
     FIG. 6 is a graph showing the frequency characteristics of the antenna device  1  while the antenna is housed. 
     FIG. 7 is a graph showing the frequency characteristics of the antenna device  1  while the antenna is extended. 
     FIG. 8 is a diagram showing impedance of a whip antenna. 
     FIG. 9 is a partially-omitted front view showing a conventional antenna device. 
     FIG. 10 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing the antenna device. 
     FIG. 11 is a plot showing the frequency characteristics of the antenna device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As shown in FIG. 1, in the case of an antenna device  1  according to one embodiment of the present invention, when a portable radio  2  is carried, a slide antenna section  3  is pressed to retract it into a housing  5  of the portable radio  2  (hereinafter referred to simply as an “housed state”). 
     As shown in FIG. 2, to provide a higher degree of sensitivity to a signal transmitted or received, an insulation tab  4  of the slide antenna section  3  is pulled up until the slide antenna section  3  is withdrawn from the housing  5  (hereinafter referred to simply as an “extended state”). 
     A circuit board  6  is supported inside housing  5 . High-frequency circuit component (not shown), constituting a transmission circuit, a reception circuit, and an antenna connecting circuit of the portable radio are mounted on circuit board  6 . The antenna connecting circuit of the circuit board  6  is electrically connected to an attachment ring  8  mounted on the upper surface of the housing  5  by way of a feeding line  7 . 
     A female screw  8   a  is formed on the interior surface of the attachment ring  8 . Feeding hardware  9  is screwed into the attachment ring  8  until a flange  9   c  attached to the outer surface of the feeding hardware  9  comes into contact with the housing  5 , whereby the feeding hardware  9  is attached to the housing  5 . The feeding hardware  9  is substantially cylindrical. A support hole  10  is formed in the center of the feeding hardware  9 . The support hole  10  has an inner diameter which is substantially identical with the outer diameter of the slide antenna  3  so as to fit the slide antenna section  3  into the housing and to retain the slide antenna section  3  while the antenna section is in the extended and housed states. 
     A recessed annular groove  9   e  (FIG. 3) is formed in the interior surface feeding hardware  9  so as to face the support hole  10 . Cylindrical hardware  17  shown in FIG. 4 is fitted into the recessed annular groove  9   e . The cylindrical hardware  17  is formed from an open ring having slits formed therein. The open nature of cylindrical hardware  17  permits it to expand and contract in a radial direction. The cylindrical hardware  17  is fitted into the recessed annular groove  9   e  while the ring is radially contracted. 
     A plurality of contact springs  18  are arranged at regular intervals along the circumference of the ring so as to protrude toward the inside of the ring. The plurality of contact springs  18  come into resilient contact with a plurality of different positions on the outer surface of the slide antenna section  3  fitted into the support hole  10 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a fixed antenna section  30  comprising a first helical antenna element  16 , joint hardware  15 , and a second helical antenna element  14  is supported in an upright position on an upper cylinder section  9   a  of the feeding hardware  9 . More specifically, a base end  14   a  of the second helical antenna element  14  is screwed into the upper cylinder section  9   a . Further, a base end section  16   a  of the first helical antenna element  16  is screwed into a male screw formed in an upper cylinder section  15   a  of the joint hardware  15 . A tip end  14   b  of the second helical antenna element  14  is screwed into a male screw formed in a lower cylinder section  15   b . The first helical antenna element  16 , the joint hardware  15 , and the second helical antenna element  14  are electrically connected in series with one another and are supported on the feeding hardware  9  in an upright position. 
     A support hole  19 , into which the slide antenna section  3  is fitted, is also formed in the joint hardware  15 . A recessed annular groove  15   e  is formed in the interior surface of the joint hardware  15  facing the support hole  19 . Cylindrical hardware  20  which is identical in structure with the foregoing cylindrical hardware  17  is fitted into the recessed annular groove  15   e . Accordingly, when slide antenna section  3  is fitted into the support hole  19 , contact springs  21  of the cylindrical hardware  20  come into resilient contact with a plurality of positions on the outer surface of the slide antenna section  3 . 
     The first helical antenna element  16  is formed from a helically coiled piano line. The extended length and winding pitch of the piano line is adjusted so that the first helical antenna element  16  acts as a ¼-wavelength grounded antenna at a second frequency f2 (1.9 GHz) when its base end  16   a  is grounded. The second frequency f2 is in the frequency band used for transmission and reception operations of a personal handy-phone system. As will be described later, the portable radio  2  can be used as a personal handy-phone system. 
     Similarly, the second helical antenna element  14  is formed from a helically coiled piano line. The extended length and winding pitch of the second helical antenna element  14  are adjusted so that, when its base end  14   a  is grounded, the fixed antenna section  30  wholly acts as a ¼-wavelength grounded antenna at a first frequency f1 (900 MHz) and acts as a ¾-wavelength grounded antenna at the second frequency f2 (1.9 GHz). The first frequency f1 (900 MHz) is in the frequency band used for transmission and reception operations of an automobile telephone. 
     FIG. 8 is a chart showing input impedance of a whip antenna having 1/l (“1” designates the length of an antenna conductor, and l designates a wavelength) as a parameter. As shown in the drawing, an unloaded ¼-wavelength rod antenna again becomes close to its basic impedance at a frequency which is three times the frequency of the rod antenna. Even when the rod antenna is used as ¾-wavelength antenna, no substantial changes arise in a standing-wave voltage ratio (SWVR). In contrast, if the whip antenna is a helical antenna, the influence of a capacitive component becomes greater as the frequency increases. The ¼-wavelength helical antenna can be used as ¾-wavelength helical antenna at a frequency lower than the three times the frequency of the helical antenna. 
     Accordingly, as mentioned previously, the fixed antenna section  30  is wholly made to act as a ¼-wavelength grounded antenna at 900 MHz and to act as a ¾-wavelength grounded antenna at a frequency of 1.9 GHz which is less than three times the frequency of 900 MHz, by adjustment of the extended length and winding pitch of the second helical antenna element  14  (the first helical antenna element  16  is already adjusted so as to act as a ¼-wavelength grounded antenna at the second frequency f2). 
     For example, the first and second helical antenna elements  16  and  14  are formed from a piano line having a diameter of 0.5 mm by coiling the piano line into a helical shape having an outer diameter of 6 mm. In a case where the first helical antenna element  16  is made by three and half turns of the piano line, solely the first helical antenna element  16  resonates a second frequency f2 of 1.9 GHz. 
     The first and second helical antenna elements  16  and  14  are wound a total of eight turns. The winding pitch of the helical antenna elements is adjusted until the fixed antenna section  30  wholly resonates at a first frequency f1 of 900 MHz and a second frequency f2 of 1.9 GHz. Therefore, the second helical antenna element  14  is made up of four and half turns of a piano line. 
     The first and second helical antenna elements  16  and  14  are formed into a helical shape having an inner diameter of 5 mm. Thus, the helical antenna elements have a sufficient diameter to permit insertion of an intermediate portion of the slide antenna section  3  without contact. 
     A cylindrical cap  22  includes a central insertion hole  23  passing therethrough. The insulation cap  22  is formed from a synthetic resin, such as a hard plastic, so as to cover the overall fixed antenna section  30  and to protect the helical antenna elements  16 ,  14  from external force. The base end  22   a  of the insulation cap  22  is fixed to the flange  9   c  of the feeding hardware  9  by means of an adhesive. 
     A ring groove  22   b  is recessed in the middle of an interior surface of the insulation cap  22 . When the insulation cap  22  covers the fixed antenna section  30 , the flange  15   c  of the joint hardware  15  is fitted into the ring groove  22   b , thereby positioning the joint hardware  15 . Accordingly, even when the antenna device is used for a long period of time, the winding pitch of the helical antenna elements  14 , 16  is protected from distortion and change, thereby preventing deterioration of the transmission and receiving characteristics. 
     FIG. 2 shows the insulation cap  22  attached to the feeding hardware  9  in the manner mentioned above. As shown in the drawing, the feeding hardware  9 , the second helical antenna element  14 , the joint hardware  15 , and the first helical antenna element  16  are aligned with one another. The slide antenna section  3  is withdrawn along the axis of these elements. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the slide antenna section  3  includes a rod antenna element  26 , an insulation cover  25  covering an upper portion of the rod antenna element  26 , and connection hardware  24  fixed to the base end of rod antenna element  26 . 
     The rod antenna element  26  is formed from a piano line having a length of about 8 cm. Rod antenna element  26  acts as a ¼-wavelength whip antenna at a first frequency f1 of 900 MHz. 
     Rod antenna element  26  is covered with insulation cover  25  formed from insulating elastomer such as hard synthetic rubber in such a way that a base end  26   a  of the rod antenna element  26  is left uncovered. 
     The insulation cover  25  is continually provided on the rod antenna element  26  in line with each other. The insulation tab  4  is integrally formed with the upper end of the insulation cover  25 . The outer diameter of the insulation tab  4  is greater than the inner diameter of the insertion hole  23  of the insulation cap  22 . This prevents slide antenna section  3  from dropping into the housing  5  when the slide antenna section  3  is pressed into the housing  5 . The tab  4  provides a finger hold for withdrawing the slide antenna section  3  to its operating position. 
     When the slide antenna section is housed, the insulation cover  25  insulates the circumference of the rod antenna element  26  from the feeding hardware  9  and the fixed antenna section  30 . When the slide antenna section is extended, the insulation cover  25  covers the portion of the rod antenna element  26  protruding from the housing  5 , thereby preventing the rod antenna element  26  from being deformed by external force and preventing damage to a human body. 
     The connection hardware  24  including a covering section  24   a . A withdrawal stopper  24   b  is fixed to the base end  26   a  of the rod antenna element  26 . When extended to its operating position, the rod antenna element  26  is electrically connected to the connection hardware  24 . 
     Fixed attachment of the connection hardware  24  involves the base end of the insulation cover  25  being covered with the covering section  24   a  of the connection hardware  24 , and the base end  26   a  of the rod antenna element  26  being directly caulked with the connection hardware  24 . 
     The connection hardware  24  serves as a movable contact, and the covering section  24   a  is formed into a columnar shape having an external diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the support holes  10 ,  19  in such a way that the covering section  24   a  comes into resilient contact with the contact springs  18 ,  21 . Further, the outer diameter of the withdrawal stopper  24   b  is larger than the inner diameter of the support hole  10  of the feeding hardware  9 . Accordingly, when the slide antenna section  3  is withdrawn by pulling the insulation tab  4 , the withdrawal stopper  24   b  comes into contact with the base end surface of the feeding hardware  9 , thereby preventing the slide antenna section  3  from being dislodged. The position where the withdrawal stopper  24   b  contacts the power feeding hardware is defined as a withdrawn position. The contact springs  18  and  21  come into resilient contact with the connection hardware  24  which is a movable contact (see FIG.  2 ). In this extended state, the covering section  24   a  is fitted into the support holes  10  and  19 . Consequently, the slide antenna section  3  protruding from the housing  5  is supported without backlash. 
     The following describes operation of the antenna device when the slide antenna section is housed and when the slide antenna section is extended. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, when the slide antenna section  3  is housed, the insulation tab  4  contacts the top of the insulation cap  22 , and the rod antenna element  26  of the slide antenna section  3  is housed in the housing  5 . Since the circumference of the rod antenna element  26  is covered with the insulation cover  25 , the rod antenna element  26  is insulated from the feeding hardware  9  and the connection hardware  15  and does not act as an antenna. 
     More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A which represents the slid antenna section stored in the housing in the form of an equivalent circuit diagram, the feeding hardware  9  is connected solely with the fixed antenna section  30 , consisting of the first helical antenna element  16 , the connection hardware  15 , and the second helical antenna element  14 . 
     As mentioned previously, the fixed antenna section  30  is adjusted so as to act as a ¼-wavelength grounded antenna at a first frequency f1 of 900 MHz and as a ¾-wavelength grounded antenna at a second frequency f2 of 1900 GHz. In either of the first frequency f1 or the second frequency f2, the portable radio  2  enables dual-mode transmission and reception. At this time, the fixed antenna section  30  protrudes outwards from the housing  5  in an upright position. Further, the conductive rod antenna element  26  is not in the first helical antenna element  16  or the second helical antenna element  14 , and is therefore quiescent. Accordingly, in each of the frequency bands, a transmission signal having large radiation power can be output, and superior receiving sensitivity is obtained. 
     FIG. 6A shows the relationship between a frequency and a standing-wave voltage ratio (SWVR) when the slide antenna section is housed. 
     When the slide antenna section is housed, the rod antenna element  26  is located at a position lower than the feeding hardware  9 . The rod antenna element  26  remains out of contact with the feeding hardware  9 . For this reason, an intermediate portion of the rod antenna element  26  is not necessarily covered with the insulation cover  25 . 
     The slide antenna section  3  is withdrawn from a housed position until the withdrawal stopper  24   b  of the connection hardware  24  comes into contact with the base end surface of the feeding hardware  9  by holding the insulation tab  4 . As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the covering section  24   a  of the connection hardware  24  comes into resilient contact with the contact springs  18 ,  21 , thereby establishing electrical connection with the feeding hardware  9  and the connection hardware  15 . 
     Accordingly, the second helical antenna element  14  having both ends  14   a  and  14   b  electrically connected to the feeding hardware  9  and the connection hardware  15  is short-circuited at both ends by means of the covering section  24   a  of the conection hardware  24 . Therefore, the second helical antenna element  14  does not act as an antenna in this condition. 
     As shown in FIG. 5B, the ¼-wavelength first helical antenna element  16  whose resonance frequency is adjusted to the second frequency f2 of the portable radio  2  and the ¼-wavelength rod antenna element  26  whose resonance frequency is adjusted to the first frequency f1 are electrically connected in parallel to the feeding hardware  9 . Accordingly, in an extended state, as shown in FIG. 7, the antenna device acts as a dual-mode antenna which resonates at the first frequency f1 (900 MHz) and at the second frequency f2 (1.9 GHz). 
     Since both the first and second helical antenna element  16  and the rod antenna element  26  protrude from the housing  5 , a transmission signal having large radiation power can be output in each of the frequency bands, and superior receiving sensitivity can be ensured. 
     In the extended state, the covering section  24   a  of the connection hardware  3  is fitted into the support holes  10 ,  19  having substantially the same diameter as that of the covering section  24   a . Accordingly, the slide antenna section  3  protruding from the housing  5  is supported without backlash. 
     The present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiment and is susceptible to various modifications. For instance, in a case where there is no need to use a whip antenna and to cause the slide antenna section  3  to protrude from and to retract into the housing  5 , there can be realized a dual-mode antenna device which resonates at two different frequencies through use of only the fixed antenna section  3 . In this case, a fixed antenna section can be formed using only one helical antenna element into which the helical antenna element  16  and the second helical antenna element  14  are integrally joined together, without use of the connection hardware  15 . 
     So long as the contact springs  18 ,  21  come into resilient contact with the outer surface of the slide antenna section  3 , they are not required to be formed into an angularly-projecting form. For instance, part of each of the feeding hardware  9  and the connection hardware  15  is bulged toward the center of the support holes  10 ,  19 , and the thus-bulging portion may be used as a contact spring. 
     As has been described, according to a first aspect of the present invention, so long as one helical antenna element is connected to feeding hardware, there can be realized a dual-mode antenna device which resonates at first and second resonance frequencies f1 and f2 used for two different types of communications systems. 
     The helical antenna element does not greatly protrude from the housing of the portable radio and hence does not cause any problem when the portable radio is carried with the helical antenna element being housed. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention, a slide antenna section can be housed in a housing, and a portable radio can transmit and receive a signal at frequency bands used for two different types of communications systems regardless of whether the slide antenna section is housed or extended. 
     Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.