Abstract: A detachable antenna module (100) is provided for attachment to a wireless communication device (102) that has a built-in antenna (300). The detachable antenna module (100) includes an external antenna (104), an activation control mechanism (106), and at least one attachment feature (200) for removably attaching the antenna module (100) to the communication device (102) such that the antenna module and the communication device form a single mobile unit when attached. The activation control mechanism (106) selectively electrically couples the external antenna (104) to the communication device (102) when the antenna module is attached to the communication device, so as to selectively route signal transmission and/or reception through either the built-in antenna (300) of the communication device (102) or the external antenna (104) of the antenna module (100) when the antenna module is attached to the communication device.

Abstract: In a wireless communication device 100, a preferably mesh, metal ground plane 314 serves both as an antenna ground plane or as an acoustic resistor for conditioning sound that passes through a sound port 120, 122. The metal ground plane 314 is located between a sound transducer 312 and a sound port 120, 122, but the metal ground plane 314 does not block sound due to openings in the mesh of the ground plane 314. The ground plane 314 permits an ear member 112 to be made thinner and reduces the number of parts required to manufacture the wireless communication device 100.

Abstract: In a wireless communication device 100, a preferably mesh, metal ground plane 314 serves both as an antenna ground plane or as an acoustic resistor for conditioning sound that passes through a sound port 120, 122. The metal ground plane 314 is located between a sound transducer 312 and a sound port 120, 122, but the metal ground plane 314 does not block sound due to openings in the mesh of the ground plane 314. The ground plane 314 permits an ear member 112 to be made thinner and reduces the number of parts required to manufacture the wireless communication device 100.