Stronger signal due to grounding?

A comparison between ground connection of the coax shield and no ground connection.
Field measurements of signal to noise ratios of the field station and the receiving station.

[@BusDriverRFI]

Seems like the far field should be better without the ground at the antenna.

[@CrazyChekov]

not sure if this changes with distance. the receiving station was very close, about 20km but without direct line of sight. small hill between.