a microwave television system comprising , a probe excited waveguide , an electronics circuit package contained within the waveguide , and a support for mounting the waveguide . the probe excited waveguide is an open - end waveguide which can be used as an independent antenna or a launcher for an end fire radiator , and which achieves a higher gain than conventional waveguides without an increase in size . the waveguide is formed of an elongated metallic container and includes a metal structure positioned within the container spaced from the side walls of the container and located within one half of the volume of the container , this volume being defined by cutting the cylinder along its elongated axis . a probe extends from the metal structure into the other half of the container for excitation of the waveguide . the electronics package conventionally utilized in conjunction with the waveguide can be positioned in the container beneath the metal structure . the electronics package does not interfere with the operation of the antenna . the antenna achieves higher gain as a result of the presence of the metal structure . in one embodiment the electronics package comprises a down - converter which receives for example a 2 ghz signal containing information , amplifies and then converts it to a signal at a frequency employed by conventional television receivers , i . e . for displaying the information on the receiver .