An electrically short antenna for transmitting or receiving radiation has first and second electrode forming a capacitor radiator. The antenna is short in the sense that the gap distance between the electrodes and the dimension of the electrodes themselves sum to less than .lambda./4. An inductor has one end thereof coupled to one of the first and second electrodes via a first wire, and the other of the electrodes is connected to ground via a second wire. The antenna includes structure for inhibiting transmission or reception of electromagnetic energy of wavelength .lambda. from first and second wires so that transmission or reception of electromagnetic energy primarily emanates from said electrode surfaces.