[Boatanchors] B-17 antenna connection

[Dave Marquart]

OFF topic..  After reading the B-17 manual on radio equipment - I saw the
following..
The liaison receiver on the radio operator’s table covers a frequency range
from 1500-18,000 Kc. It uses the same antenna as the transmitter: the skin
of the airplane. This is connected to a throw switch on the left side wall.
This switch can change over to the trailing antenna (also on left side
wall). The trailing antenna is operated from a control box to the right of
the change-over switch.
Can someone tell me how they used the Skin of the aircraft for an antenna
when the negative side of the Battery, generators, equipment were all using
the frame (skin) of the aircraft?  What am I missing?  Thanks..


Dave Marquart
3100 E Victory Rd
Meridian, ID  83642
208 559-4747  cell
DMR #31106034
davemarquart at gmail.com