a patch antenna employing a matching stub for improved performance . the patch antenna comprises a conductive patch disposed closely over a ground plane , having a shorting pin shorting the conductive patch to the ground plane at a central point and a coaxial feed line attached to the conductive patch at a point between the shorting pin and the edge of the patch for conducting electromagnetic energy to or from the conductive patch . the matching stub comprises a conductive member extending at least partially between the ground plane and the conductive patch at a point located on the opposite side of the shorting pin from the feed line . performance is further improved by leaving only a small portion of the inner conductor of the coaxial feed line uncovered by the outer conductor .