Ground?

[carsonbm]

I have read it is best to ground a radio to an outside ground, isn't the radio grounded when it is plug int a outlet? :evil:

 

[JoeyC]

it is if it's a 3 pronged plug.

 

[N_Jay]

I have read it is best to ground a radio to an outside ground, isn't the radio grouded when it is plug int a outlet? :evil:

Safety Grounding (the one on the plug) and proper gounding from an antenna, noise, and lightening protection standpoint are VERY different.

 

[carsonbm]

Ground

Can you explain what you mean?

 

[N_Jay]

Re: Ground

Can you explain what you mean?

The safety ground has one purpose; To trip the breaker should teh case (or other grounded part, Ant, ect) become energized by a source of commercial AC.

Proper grounding of communications equipment does many things.

Grounding the Antenna (on some designs) acts as a counterpoise and improved opperation.

Grounding of the Radio and other nearby equipment reduces static and some internally generated RF noise.

Grounding of the Antenna system goes a long way to improving the lightening pertection of the system both to nearby and direct strikes.

As for what costitutes proper grounding, you will have to do a search.
Try looking at some of the commercail antenna companies' information, Polyphaser Corp, and/or Motorola's R-56 document.

 

[nd5y]

This guy has an excellent sereis of web pages on grounding and lightning protection.
http://members.cox.net/pc-usa/station/ground2.htm

Tom