Hello. I was hoping to get a Alonco DX R8T or Yaesu FRG 100 sometime in the near future. I live in a place where I don't have access to the ground, but from what I can understand desktop receivers should in general be grounded. Am I out of luck? How important is grounding? If I unplug the antenna every time after use, will I need grounding?
Grounding needed on receiver?
- Thread starter tdenfuny
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I've never used a ground with communications receivers and had any improved results.
Others here may insist otherwise.
I have used grounds for grounding the antenna when not in use, though.
If you are using an external antenna you'll want to have some form of ground available to both ground the antenna when not in use (for safety), and for wiring a lightning or static protection device -- especially if you are in an area where there is cold dry weather in winter, or thunderstorm activity.
It could be a thick wire leading outside to the earth, or to a metal cyclone fence or other mass of safe, grounded metal. I used a thick wire leading to a metal stake pounded into the earth.
If you're using an indoor antenna, you won't generally need such protections.
Others here may insist otherwise.
I have used grounds for grounding the antenna when not in use, though.
If you are using an external antenna you'll want to have some form of ground available to both ground the antenna when not in use (for safety), and for wiring a lightning or static protection device -- especially if you are in an area where there is cold dry weather in winter, or thunderstorm activity.
It could be a thick wire leading outside to the earth, or to a metal cyclone fence or other mass of safe, grounded metal. I used a thick wire leading to a metal stake pounded into the earth.
If you're using an indoor antenna, you won't generally need such protections.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
What kind of antenna will you be using?
I haven't figured that out. I am able to string a wire between some trees outside, but it can't be permanent. So, I was thinking that I might need an indoor antenna.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Think of it as a circuit. Signal needs to flow from somewhere to somewhere. Your antenna will pick it up and pass it through the radio. Adding a ground -can- help in many cases, although when running a random wire it sometimes will increase the noise. Best thing you can do is have one, and disconnect it if it raises the noise too much.
ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
As I wrote on Facebook recently, a good RF ground is NOT just a rod stuck in the ground. There have been many discussions on this subject in the past - it takes some work, and knowledge of the NEC regs, to make a good RF ground.
Even an indoor antenna can, under some circumstances, be something of a lightning magnet. In a TStorm, your best protection can be removing your receiver from the AC and disconnecting (and if you can, ground away from your home) your feedline. I learned this lesson the hard way, having had a couple of near-strikes that fried some jumpers and blew one front end.
Mike
Even an indoor antenna can, under some circumstances, be something of a lightning magnet. In a TStorm, your best protection can be removing your receiver from the AC and disconnecting (and if you can, ground away from your home) your feedline. I learned this lesson the hard way, having had a couple of near-strikes that fried some jumpers and blew one front end.
Mike
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