An apparatus (10, 30, 40, 50) is provided that relates to nanotubes as radiation elements for antennas and phased arrays, and more particularly to a macro-sized RF antenna for mobile devices. The antenna comprises a plurality of nanostructures (16), e.g., carbon nanotubes, forming an antenna structure on a substrate (12), and a radio frequency signal apparatus formed within the substrate (12) and coupled to the plurality of nanostructures (16). The radiation element length of a nested multiwall nanotube (161) of an exemplary embodiment may be tuned to a desirable frequency by an electromagnetic force (163).