[Boatanchors] Testing a Ground connection

[Gary Schafer]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:boatanchors-
> bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of J. Forster
> Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2005 6:16 PM
> To: wa1zuf at juno.com
> Cc: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net; armyradios at yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Testing a Ground connection
> 
> wa1zuf at juno.com wrote:
> 
> > Try lifting the ground off and comparing the performance to the system
> went the ground is connected. As for Checking the integrity of a ground
> system, you would need a Mega-ohm meter.   Steve
> 
> A mega-ohm meter is not what you want. A milli-ohmmeter is more like it.
> Try using a VOM between your ground and a metal cold water pipe or the
> metal cover plate on a wall outlet. If it less
> than an ohm or two, your ground is fine for receive.
> 
> -John
> 

If you have a ground with less than an ohm or two you have one of the best
grounds in the world!

With a single ground rod you will be in the vicinity of 50 to a few hundred
ohms ground resistance. Measuring against the ground on the wall outlet will
most always give a false reading because of small currents that exist in the
AC ground system that will upset the ohmmeter.

For receive you will probably need very little if any ground connection
depending on antenna type.

73
Gary  K4FMX