Radio antenna ground plate

[DAVEN1256]

Does the radio antenna ground plate that goes just under the antenna opening in the fender serve any actual electrical purpose? As in "grounding" the antenna to the body?

I would think, if it did, there would have to be some bare metal on the bottom of antenna opening in the fender for the ground plate to make contact with. Leaving bare metal there doesn't seem like a good idea.

The antenna assembly instructions in the AIM don't mention anything about it.

I am wondering what the right thing to do is.

Thanks.....Dave

[cook_dw]

It also helps keep the antenna assembly from rotating and moving by using the groove and notch to hold the assembly to the plate and the ribs on the plate to help bite the fender.