This study focuses on the creation of a low-profile meander line-based antenna as well as a U-slotted patch antenna that was developed exclusively for the needs of search and rescue (SAR) operations. The meander line antenna and U-slotted patch antenna under consideration are designed on a substrate composed of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). PDMS is chosen for their desirable properties such as durability, flexibility, water resistance, and suitability for deployment in challenging environmental conditions. The utilization of the search and rescue application mandates the operation at a comparatively lower frequency of 406 MHz, hence necessitating the use of antennas with a longer electrical length. As a result, these antennas exhibit a tendency towards bigger physical dimensions. The issue can be overcome with the utilization of patch antenna and an incorporation of meander-based structure, hence ensuring a small size. The results of the simulation demonstrated that the antenna operated at a central frequency of 406 MHz, exhibiting a bandwidth of 40.5 MHz and 67.49 MHz for the U-slotted patch antenna and meander line antenna, respectively. These bandwidths corresponded to a -10 dB fractional bandwidth percentage of 9.9% and 16.55% for the two antennas. In addition to utilizing a pure PDMS substrate, the design of a meandered line antenna has been used using iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles along with PDMS. After adding this magneto dielectric substrate into the substrate there has been a noticeable enhancement in the parameters of the antenna.

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