[TenTec] Re: Mobile Grounding

Roy Koeppe royanjoy@ncn.net
Thu, 22 Apr 1999 10:37:59 -0500


About:

"Anyway, what is the preferred method of running the power return?
Most people fuse both sides of the power lines and connect both directly
to the battery, but some advocate connecting the return (negative) to
the vehicle chassis, near the battery, without a fuse"


I am fascinated to hear quite often about the idea of installing a FUSE in
the negative lead. What possible reason can there be for doing this? Fuses
are notorious for dropping voltage in an already critical situation--mobile
ham gear. Why would you go for double voltage losses?

As for the chassis return on the rig, yes it "feels" like there should be
one there, and I'd do it too. But honestly, RF cannot appear on the outside
of the enclosure unless it some how can escape through solid metal or
through the coax braid? And if the braid is fully grounded at the antenna
feedpoint, then no RF can appear on the outside of the braid from the
antenna end either! From whence does it come?

73,    Roy    K6XK


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