Frequency reconfigurable antennas are becoming a compelling solution for the increasing demand of higher antenna capabilities, since they can operate at tunable narrow frequency bands while rejecting the undesirable signals from other bands. The aim of this project is to develop new designs for frequency reconfigurable antennas that can work across a wide frequency range (from 1 GHz up to 6 GHz) while maintaining stable radiation pattern and polarisation as required by the industry sponsors. A Vivaldi antenna is considered as the basis for a frequency reconfigurable design as it maintains the radiation characteristics in its operating band. Dual-band, tri-band and quad-band switched reconfigurable designs are proposed and analysed. These antennas are electronically-tuned using RF switches which adjust the impedance to reconfigure the operating band of the antenna. A prototype is tested in an anechoic chamber obtaining good performance. However, as the switches lead to several challenges, such as the effect of bias lines and the excessive insertion losses, a new approach is taken. State-of-the-art technologies are studied and fluid antennas are introduced. Current developments show that liquid antennas can have radiation efficiencies up to 90 % and conductivities close to copper, which makes them a good candidate to fulfil the requirements of this project. A hybrid Vivaldi antenna with an ionised water switch is proposed and a prototype tested. By introducing ionised water into a specific point of the feed line the operating frequency of the antenna is adjusted. The replacement of RF switches for electronically-controlled fluids brings high flexibility, suppression of the bias lines impact, dynamic adjustment and continuous frequency tuning compared to conventional antenna systems
