Lou,
Rum Runner has a VHF with the antenna mounted on the very top of the mast. I 
do not have a ground plate anywhere on my boat. I easily punch out 12 miles 
with the radio.
There has been a lot of discussion previously on the merits of grounding a 22 
foot sailboat with a deck stepped mast. The conclusion was that there are a 
lot of theory's, but decided to leave it up to the individual boat owner.
I'm of the school that does not have anything grounded. I sail on fresh water 
and don't sail in lightning storms as a rule. They scare the crap out of me.

Rummy