The primary objective of this research is to develop low-profile rectangular electromagnetically coupled patch (RECP) and bow-tie antennas utilizing a polymer substrate. This technology was specifically designed to cater to the requirements of search and rescue missions. The antennas being discussed in this context are the RECP and bow-tie antennas, which have been specifically constructed on a substrate made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). PDMS is selected due to its advantageous characteristics, including its durability, flexibility, water resistance, and appropriateness for deployment in demanding environmental circumstances. The operation of the search and rescue application requires the use of antennas with a longer electrical length due to the lower frequency of 406 MHz consequently, these antennas demonstrate a propensity towards larger physical dimensions. The problem can be resolved by employing an electromagnetically coupling-based antenna, hence guaranteeing a compact form factor. The findings from the simulations indicated that the antenna functioned at a central frequency of 406 MHz, with a bandwidth of 11.93 MHz for the RECP antenna and 300 MHz for the bow-tie antenna. The bandwidths observed for the two antennas were found to be 2.93% and 66.66% when expressed as a fractional bandwidth percentage with a -10 dB reference level. Furthermore, the construction of a low-profile RECP has been implemented by incorporating iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles in conjunction with a pure PDMS substrate. The selection of this antenna was based on its narrow bandwidth for the reflection coefficient. The incorporation of a magneto dielectric substrate into the existing substrate has resulted in a significant improvement in the antenna’s characteristics, particularly the -10dB fractional bandwidth, which has increased from 2.93% to 13.38%. To the authors’ knowledge it is the first time a magneto dielectric surface has been used in search and rescue antenna.

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