A method for obtaining continuous beam steering of +/-30 degrees from bore-
sight by reactively loading a one-wavelength square wire loop antenna place
d over a ground plane is presented. By introducing a small gap at the middl
e of one of the two non-radiating sides, the phase difference of current on
the two radiating sides of the wire loop can be adjusted. This is done by
varying a single reactive load at the middle of the opposite non-radiating
side. As a result, the far-field radiation pattern of the antenna can be co
ntrolled in the plane perpendicular to the radiating sides. The input VSWR
for the arrangement is shown to be insensitive to loaded reactance variatio
n. An analytical explanation for the behavior of the antenna is given, toge
ther with experimental verification.