An antenna system with a bridged ground plane includes a printed circuit board, a first ground plane, a bridge, an antenna radiating element, an antenna connection, and at least one electronic component. The first ground plane is coupled to a first face of the printed circuit board. The bridge couples the first ground plane to the second ground plane. The antenna radiating element is coupled to the second ground plane via the antenna connection. The electronic component or components are coupled to a second face of the printed circuit board.