Photonic band gap crystals have been used as a perfectly reflecting substrate for planar dipole antennas in the 12–15 GHz regime. The position, orientation, and driving frequency of the dipole antenna on the photonic band gap crystal surface, have been optimized for antenna performance and directionality. Virtually no radiated power is lost to the photonic crystal resulting in gains and radiation efficiencies larger than antennas on other conventional dielectric substrates. ©1995 American Institute of Physics.