[Antennas] Car body as a ground plane ??

[A10382]

When a 1/4wl vertical is used on a vehicle, we typically think of the
car's roof panel (or trunk panel) as the 'ground plane' - completing the
rf circuit.   With a mobile radio installed in the car, the 'return
path' for the signal is through the car's body and frame and then back
to the transmitter via either the power return (negative side) and/or
through a separate ground strap from the car's frame to the case of the
radio.

Now.. let's consider this same setup with an HT.
The HT is connected to a mag mount 1/4wl antenna stuck to the top of the
car.  However, the HT is independent of the vehicle's electrical system.
How does the 'return' from the ground plane get back through the radio
to complete the rf circuit ?
 --or--
In this case, is the antenna system a 1/4wl vertical effectively without
any ground plane (and therefore inefficient) ?

===
73, Frank
_._ _.







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