[Antennas] Re: [ARLHS] To Ground or Not To Ground - That is theQuestion

[Jack Painter]

Jim,

A hamstick by any description is still a dipole, is it not?  A dipole is a
complete antenna and does not benefit from any kind of ground connection.
The chassis of the radio being grounded should have no effect on SWR if the
antenna was operated at or near resonance. The tendency among users to
operate such devices beyond the capabilities of the antenna could indeed
allow a chassis ground to help prevent damaging SWR from either folding back
power or injuring the operator.  Since you appear to set up such devices on
sand (a very poorly conductive near-field for any antenna), your own
experimentation with vehicle roofs, etc will probably discover the best
operating configuration.  I would suggest a little more altitude that the
pictures on some of the ARLHS links depict.

Was curious about the ARLHS site, which is dedicated to maritime
communications, and amateur radio, lighthouses, etc. What does "activating"
an amateur radio field-day event near a lighthouse have to do with maritime
communications? Do your members stand some form of coast-watches during
storms in or near these unmanned lighthouses?

Jack

>-----Original Message-----
>Jim Buffington wrote:
>> Visit the ARLHS online ship's store:
>> http://cafepress.com/arlhs
>> _________________________
>>
>> For several years I have used a Hamstick mobile when activating
>lighthouses,
>> as well as portable operation with a Buddipole.  The Hamstick
>was mounted on
>> top of my vehicle with a magnetic mount, which was grounded to
>the roof, and
>> the rig inside was grounded to the chassis.
>>
>> Recently, I have noticed that when using either a Hamstick or Valor AB5T,
>> mounted as above, the SWR is lower when the rig is grounded and
>the antenna
>> is NOT ... and, for that matter, the rig works fine with no
>ground at either
>> end.
>>
>> This defies logic, and I would appreciate some input from others who use
>> mobile antennas, particularly with magnetic mounts.
>>
>> For that matter, has anyone operated stationary mobile and
>driven a rod into
>> the ground in order to obtain an earth ground.
>>
>> Comments from any of you regarding this will be greatly appreciated.
>>
>> Jim Buffington, K5JIM
>> ARLHS #150
>>
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