You would construct a counterpoise antenna wire 11.5 inch for VHF, 6.5 for UHF and about 19.5 inches for an OK performing dual band VHF/UHF radio. Normally with a handheld radio the counterpoise ...
A known reference point helps them set the position of the antenna ... achievement. Ham radio operators starting using moon bounce (sometimes called Earth Moon Earth or EME) back in 1953.