Abstract: The present invention provides a technique to optimize and/or extend the length of an antenna arm or antenna ground plane for communications components contained in a printed circuit board (PCB) within a communications device. In an embodiment of the invention, an antenna arm or ground plane extension is provided as part of a lanyard for holding the communications device. For example, the lanyard comprises a cord passed around the neck, shoulder, or wrist. The cord comprises an electrical conductor coupled to the communications components. The electrical conductor serves as the antenna arm or ground plane. The length of the PCB need not to be extended to improve antenna efficiency and gain. Ideally, the lanyard antenna extension is ideally coplanar with the PCB. Careful lanyard material selection determines the most efficient and practical wavelength or resonance length of the antenna.