[TowerTalk] TowerTalk Digest, Vol 29, Issue 101

[George Lee]

Dick, I have done it both ways and can't positively say one is better than 
the other.

I think the most important thing is to keep them as short as possible.  If 
they have to be 2-3 ft long I would suggest a wider braid or parallel two 
1/2" and see if it makes any difference.

The MFJ-259B will give an indication by a simple test applied after the 
braid is in place.  Set the 259B up on SWR and placed on some surface that 
does not affect the meter.  Then put your hands on each side of the 
instrument and move them away from and back to the instrument about 5-6 ". 
If the meter moves at all, you do not have a good "RF" ground and that is 
what you are really after.  A good "DC" ground is not what you are working 
to achieve.

73, George

> If I were to use 1/2" tinned braid for grounding straps between the 
> "radio"
> and my ground bus strap, what would be the preferred method of attaching 
> the
> braid to the radio and to the bus. It would seem to me that by crunching 
> it
> all up and then crimping on a lug that you might be defeating some of the
> properties for using braid in the first place. I was thinking of tinning 
> the
> ends. Then drilling a hole then soldering on washers on either side of the
> braid and attaching in that manner. Thoughts would be appreciated.

> Tnx es 73
> Dick W7ZR

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