Methods, systems, and apparatuses for radio frequency identification (RFID) readers are described. In as aspect, a reader antenna includes an attaching element, a radome with an attached director element and a radiating element. The radiating element is positioned coupled to a surface of the attaching element. The radiating element transmits a RF signal for the reader antenna. The director element attached to the radome element focuses the RF signal to alter a characteristic of the RF signal transmitted by the reader antenna.