[Boatanchors] 3-Wire cords on Boatanchors

[Freeberg, Scott (STP)]

Gene, Yes this has been talked about alot over the years but only because
the subject is so important.

This is my opinion.  Yes the 3rd wire ground will be a good dc ground, keeping
all your cabinets and chassis at ground potential, and eliminating the need for 
a separate dc ground wire.  Without it, the cabinet
may be at a higher voltage than the radio next to it, setting us up for a shock.
Before I grounded my 
Valiant, I measured 70 vac between the ungrounded Valiant and 
receiver I was using at the time. I only thought to measure this AFTER I got
a tingle when accidentally touching both radio's at the same time... Now I have
the Valiant grounded to AC ground with a 3 way plug, AND I have it grounded to the water
pipe for an RF ground.

The power line ground via the 3 wire plug won't be a good RF ground because of 
the length of the ground
wire before it reaches the fuse box and grounding rod.  My RF ground is an 8' copper pipe
pounded into the ground next to the window.
Hopefully the length of ground lead in wire will be less than 1/4 wave and be effective
all the way to 10 meters.  73, Scott WA9WFA