In this paper, a novel compact printed monopole antenna with multiband operation for wireless local area networks (WLAN) is presented. A simple C-shaped strip and a straight strip of this antenna provide two resonant paths to achieve 2.4-, 5.2-, and 5.8-GHz multiband operation. Good similar omnidirectional radiation patterns in the azimuth plane of the proposed antenna with compact radiator size of 11.5 X 8.5 mm(2) in the desired frequency bands have been achieved. (C) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.