The embodiments described herein are directed to providing a notched antenna element for improving polarization control without sacrificing gain, bandwidth, scan volume, recurring cost, or manufacturability. The notched antenna element includes a base portion comprising a plurality of contiguous first cross-sectional notched antenna elements, each of the plurality of first cross-sectional notched antenna elements configured in an end-loaded structure for increasing polarization stability; and an upper portion coupled to the base portion, the upper portion comprising a plurality of contiguous second cross-sectional notch antenna elements.