The missing "reference" is that the vertical is planted into earth
(because both antennas are vertical, this missing "reference" should
be very explicitly stated). However, in the context of 2M FM, an
antenna planted into the ground, unless that ground happens to be the
peak of a mountain, is rather a very poor option for 1dB "gain."



I've lost you here, on the "planted into earth" part. The original
poster was asking about 2M vertical vs. groundplane antenna. I would
assume for 2M that either antenna would be up in the air..... ???



Ed K7AAT