A communication antenna for communications with a near field device using at least one transmitter and receiver pair, wherein the antenna includes a machine body antenna which is electrically isolated from ground and includes an electrically conductive machine frame, and which, when in electrical communication with one transmitter or receiver element of the transmitter and receiver pair, is excited so as to enable communication between the transmitter and receiver pair when the other of the transmitter or receiver elements is in electrical communication with the near field device and mounted within the near field of the machine body antenna without being in contact with the machine body antenna.