AMTA 2025 Gathers Global Leaders In Electromagnetic Innovation
By John Oncea, Editor
The 47th AMTA Symposium unites experts in Tucson to advance antenna and electromagnetic measurement with new research, keynotes, hands-on sessions, and networking.
Joseph Pape was born in 1941 in Herkimer, NY, to Olivia Blasé and Harry Joseph Pape. A U.S. Air Force Veteran of the Vietnam War, he eventually settled in Georgia, where he worked for Scientific-Atlanta as the Director of New Business Instrumentation before retiring as Vice President of Marketing. Husband and father of three sons, Pape passed away in 2021 at the age of 79.
According to the Antenna Measurement Techniques Association (AMTA), Pape held several organizing committee meetings across the U.S. in 1978, intending to form a Scientific-Atlanta users group. “The original intent,” according to AMTA, “was to form a user group for a Scientific-Atlanta antenna pattern measurement system. To determine interest, Joe distributed a questionnaire. He received an enthusiastic response for such a group, but the response indicated the need for a broader field, including antenna, radome, and radar cross-section measurements.”
Later that year, Pape was authorized to proceed with the formation of the AMTA, and in March 1979, an organizational meeting was held to determine the focus of the group and make plans for the group’s inaugural event, a business meeting and symposium hosted by Scientific-Atlanta, which was held at the Presidential Hotel in Atlanta, on October 18, 1979.
“The two-day symposium included a Scientific-Atlanta series 2020 Antenna Analyzer User Workshop, an open forum discussion, and tours of local antenna measurement facilities,” AMTA writes. “Pape … led the business meeting, which was held at the conclusion of the symposium. Approximately 80 founding members attended, and nineteen technical papers were presented. The annual membership fee, included with the registration of this event, was $10.”
Due to the success of the 1979 event, it was decided to hold the meeting and symposium annually, alternating between the East and West coasts. The second annual symposium was held in Redondo Beach, CA, and this year’s event will take place November 2-7 in Tucson, AZ.
For his efforts, Pape earned the title “Father of the AMTA,” received AMTA’s first Distinguished Service Award, and in 2012, he was the first recipient of AMTA’s highest award: the Honorary Life Member Award.
Since its humble beginnings, AMTA has been incorporated as a nonprofit professional organization with more than 400 members worldwide. In recent years, it has extended its global reach and sponsored events in India, South Korea, Argentina, and Brazil.
Even with its international growth and success, AMTA remains best known for its Annual Meeting and Symposium, and here we preview the 47th edition.
What To Expect At AMTA 2025
AMTA’s 47th Annual Meeting and Symposium promises to be a landmark event for professionals, researchers, and students immersed in electromagnetic measurement technologies and the evolving field of antenna measurement. Set amidst the scenic surroundings of The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson, AZ, the symposium will unfold from November 2 to November 7, 2025, drawing participants from academia, government, defense, and industry.
Co-hosted by Raytheon, an RTX business, and the U.S. Army Electronic Proving Ground, this event marks another chapter in AMTA’s legacy of promoting rigorous technical exchange, standards advancement, and community-building within the electromagnetic measurement domain.
AMTA has long focused on nurturing expertise and progress in antenna, radar signature, and broad electromagnetic measurement technologies. The annual symposium serves as its flagship with a rich schedule catering to a diverse cohort of attendees. The 2025 event is expected to reinforce AMTA’s mission by facilitating dialogue and action on new challenges, innovative tools, and vital measurement techniques crucial for the next generation of wireless, defense, and sensing systems.
Over four days of dense technical programming, participants will have access to continuous presentations of high-quality technical papers that highlight current research, industrial progress, and best practices in antenna and RCS (radar cross-section) measurements.
In addition to the paper sessions, a full-day short course is scheduled, providing in-depth, practical instruction on specialized antenna measurement topics. This opportunity caters to professionals seeking to expand their skillsets as well as students and early-career engineers aiming to consolidate foundational knowledge with the latest methodological advances.
The symposium’s exhibition floor will showcase products and services from leading companies specializing in antenna and measurement-related solutions. Attendees will have direct access to demonstrations of innovative instrumentation, simulation tools, and hardware relevant to both traditional outdoor measurement ranges and emerging over-the-air (OTA) applications. The exhibition is built to be highly interactive, allowing visitors to engage with vendors, discover new capabilities, and discuss technical challenges with subject-matter experts in an informal setting.
Networking Opportunities
Networking is at the core of AMTA’s annual symposium, and 2025 will be no exception. Multiple forums will encourage peer-to-peer discussions and facilitate collaboration, with opportunities to interact with seasoned veterans and newer voices, including those from defense labs, standards organizations, and academic teams who are shaping the field’s future. These connections are often the springboard for research partnerships, technology transfer, and cross-sector innovation that characterize AMTA’s impact across the electromagnetic spectrum community.
Another highlight of the event will be the technical tour, which is designed to provide attendees with a first-hand look at state-of-the-art measurement facilities or techniques central to the field. Past tours have delivered deep dives into anechoic chambers, phased array calibration labs, compact test ranges, or mobile measurement installations.
For 2025, the tour will be selected to feature a prominent area of current development, aligning with key trends such as millimeter-wave measurements, 5G/6G device characterization, or drone-enabled measurement platforms.
The symposium is renowned for integrating unique social events and local excursions into its schedule, acknowledging the importance of informal interactions. These events will leverage the attractions around Tucson, offering a blend of recreational, cultural, and networking opportunities, including visits to nearby natural wonders and historic sites. While some activities are tailored for technical delegates, there are dedicated companion tours for family members and guests, strengthening community ties while exploring local area highlights.
Student Day And Sessions
A special commitment to emerging talent is shown through the Student Day, which presents dedicated presentations, mentoring sessions, and participation in a hands-on design and measurement contest. This feature gives undergraduate and graduate students a platform to interact with leaders in antenna measurement, gain exposure to real-world engineering, and showcase their creativity and technical prowess in a supportive environment. Student involvement is a hallmark of AMTA’s efforts to sustain the community by inspiring the next wave of expertise.
Throughout the week, participants will encounter sessions reflecting the latest research on electromagnetic measurement innovation, from pioneering near-field scanning methods to advances in far-field calibration, and from novel probe architectures to highly sensitive radar signature evaluations. Sessions are expected to address computational electromagnetics, uncertainty quantification, and the integration of AI and machine learning into measurement automation and analysis. The breadth and depth of subjects make the symposium relevant not only for engineers directly performing measurements but also for systems integrators, simulation professionals, and those invested in quality assurance for modern electromagnetic devices.
The hosting organizations, Raytheon and U.S. Army Electronic Proving Ground, are set to offer a perspective rooted in the challenges and requirements of defense and national security, providing a distinct value proposition for attendees interested in applications ranging from advanced radar systems to secure communications and countermeasure development. This partnership positions the symposium at the intersection of fundamental research and practical, deployed technology, ensuring that discussions remain grounded in industry needs while pushing the boundary of what is technically achievable.
AMTA 2025 also aims to respond to a shifting technology landscape, engaging participants with sessions and workshops on emerging topics such as remote sensing, wireless connectivity for autonomous platforms, quantum measurement approaches, and the implementation of digital twins in electromagnetic simulation and calibration. Advances in satellite communications, automotive radar, and wireless implantable medical devices, all dependent on precise antenna measurement, are likely to be highlighted during the technical program.
Building On A Rich History
With its history of hosting gatherings that foster a high standard of dialogue and scientific rigor, AMTA’s 47th symposium will solidify its role as the premier venue for those who value the intersection of technical excellence and real-world application in electromagnetic measurement. The event’s design ensures that engineers, researchers, and students are equally empowered to learn, share, and contribute to the field’s forward trajectory. Attendees can expect an environment of mutual respect for expertise and experience, alongside a collaborative spirit that celebrates both incremental advances and paradigm-shifting ideas.
As aerospace, telecommunications, defense, and consumer markets all converge on the need for better electromagnetic measurement standards and new tools, gatherings like AMTA 2025 remain vital. They help catalyze shared solutions to global challenges in spectrum efficiency, device integration, compliance, and security. For anyone invested in the science and practice of antenna measurement, Tucson in November 2025 represents not only a destination for technical learning but also for connection, innovation, and inspiration, an indispensable event in the professional calendar.