CB Radio Ground Directly to Antenna ?
Mike Celi
shield of the coax. The nut that you screw on at the back of the radio and
sometimes at the antenna depending on your setup is the ground.
Raz Barlow wrote:
> Is there any advantage to attaching the radios negative wire directly to
> the bracket of a mobile antenna ? I was just wondering if the best possible
> ground to the antenna would help the overall performance ?
> I am running a base loaded wire whip with a hood mount and I am thinking of
> running my radios ground directly to one of the mounting bracket holes.
> Thanks,
> RazBarlow
Raz Barlow
mud-...@excite.com
"Raz Barlow" <razb...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Is there any advantage to attaching the radios negative wire directly to
It is my understanding that the best place to ground your radio is at the
battery. This is also where you should connect your power wire. You want to
keep your wire leads as short as possible.
================
The Mud-Duck
22Zero Seattle
================
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
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Handy Andy
On 9 Jan 1999 00:27:04 GMT, While trying to figure out how to get the
Mouse out of the Chimney, The Monitor, displayed an idea about "CB
Radio Ground Directly to Antenna ?" from '"Raz Barlow"
<razb...@hotmail.com>' and the Keyboard responded with this:
:+> Is there any advantage to attaching the radios negative wire directly to
:+> the bracket of a mobile antenna ? I was just wondering if the best
:+> possible
:+> ground to the antenna would help the overall performance ?
Any ordinary wire can provide DC ground, but not RF ground. The wire
is too inductive and can cause problems. I wouldn't do it. I'd look
for another way.
Coax has two conductors, on inside another. The shield, is on the
outside and is considered a good ground for the antenna. It can
provide a better ground than a simple wire can.
I'd recommend that you ground the radio by using the bracket it's
supplied with, to the frame on the vehicle inside the passenger
compartment. And make sure that the mount is also getting a good
ground from both the vehicle and coax. This helps with shielding and
lessens the chance that noise can be injected from different points
that are ground, but have different potential when compared to each
other.
:+> I am running a base loaded wire whip with a hood mount and I am thinking
:+> of
:+> running my radios ground directly to one of the mounting bracket holes.
:+> Thanks,
:+> RazBarlow
Hmm. Check to see how well the hood is grounded, or making contact
with the rest of the vehicle first. This may be the problem. The fix
is simple, use an older section of unused or abused coax, strip off
the outer jacket and sleeve, including the center insulator, exposing
both conductors, and twist together, crimp on a solderable lug, then
solder well. This little patch cord can then act as a low-inductance
jumper to frame ground. Just make sure the jumper is as short as
possible and allow for some flexing when you open the hood. Drill
some holes to mount it to screws, and use star washers and firmly
mount it into place. The best location is along a hinge of one of the
hood supports. This allows for a good short run, and allows for
movement and space for the jumper to rest when the hood is closed.
Hope this helps...
Regards!
:+> Andy <+: Don't B-flat, when you can C#!
. ######### ###
... You MUST BE a CB'er when... # # # # #
... You listen to C.W McCalls CONVOY for ######### # ##
... the 1,674th time, and it still, to # # #
... this day, brings a tear to your eyes! # # # #
. # # #### # #
. #### # ####
. # #
http://www.iserv.net/~codyspc/CBRADIO.HTM
mrbreeze
best configuration is short wires to vehicle chassis ground for all equipment.
But most of all, your antenna needs a good ground to the chassis of the vehicle
for ground plane effect. Good luck.
John
Raz Barlow wrote:
> Is there any advantage to attaching the radios negative wire directly to
> the bracket of a mobile antenna ? I was just wondering if the best possible
> ground to the antenna would help the overall performance ?
> I am running a base loaded wire whip with a hood mount and I am thinking of
> running my radios ground directly to one of the mounting bracket holes.
> Thanks,
> RazBarlow
pime...@salve.edu
fix it or atleast try... Usually the mobile antennas are grounded by the
magnet to the metal where ever you stick it... So like i said earlier...
dont mess with it, because youll learn the hard way that if you bust the
connections and the magnet you bust the ground!
"Raz Barlow" <razb...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Is there any advantage to attaching the radios negative wire directly to
> the bracket of a mobile antenna ? I was just wondering if the best possible
> ground to the antenna would help the overall performance ?
> I am running a base loaded wire whip with a hood mount and I am thinking of
> running my radios ground directly to one of the mounting bracket holes.
> Thanks,
> RazBarlow
>
>
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
Tbone107
>fix it or atleast try... Usually the mobile antennas are grounded by the
>magnet to the metal where ever you stick it... So like i said
earlier...
>dont mess with it, because youll learn the hard way that if you bust the
>connections and the magnet you bust the ground!
>
>
> "Raz Barlow" <razb...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> Is there any advantage to attaching the radios negative wire directly to
>> the bracket of a mobile antenna ? I was just wondering if the best possible
>> ground to the antenna would help the overall performance ?
>> I am running a base loaded wire whip with a hood mount and I am thinking of
>> running my radios ground directly to one of the mounting bracket holes.
>> Thanks,
>> RazBarlow
>>
Grounding is very important. A mag-mount is not grounded by virtue of being
stuck to a painted car surface. The mag-mount has a coating on it to protect
the paint of the car. The car has paint. A mag-mount is not grounded thru the
body panel. A mag-mount is only grounded thru the coax shield and the
connectors outer barrel to the chassis of the radio thru the radios mount
and/or electrical connection. If you're using a mag-mount, there is no way to
improve performance by trying to ground the base of the antenna. Mag-mounts are
by nature and design, compromises for those who don't want to drill holes or
can't use a trunk lid mount which grounds to the body at the antenna by way of
the hex screws that go on from underneath. It would be a good idea to make sure
the chassis of the radio has it's own ground, not just that of the power cord
(negative/black wire). If the radio is mounted to the dash of a newer car, most
likely it's screwed into a piece of plastic. This type of mounting, while
structurally sound, but does not provide the proper grounding the unit needs.
The power wire provides a near-acceptable level of grounding for DC purposes,
but not a good, solid RF ground which is what you (your radio) needs. The
mag-mount? Leave it alone. Can't improve on it other than to get a hard-mount
antenna. The radios ground? Check it and add a dedicated ground wire to a
chassis screw on the radio on one end and a solid vehicle chassis ground on the
other. I hope this was able to help you a bit. Good luck.
73 de Tom KB2FIK
Tbon...@aol.com
Hillbilly_1943
flux. but ur right, there is no d.c. ground..... dave
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