[Elecraft] Like MFJ's 931 Artificial Ground ?

[George, W5YR]

At the risk of seeming to rain upon the parade, let's keep in mind that the
931 can at most provide a low-impedance path to "ground." Whatever that
"ground" happens to be is what determines the success or failure of using
the 931.

In almost all cases, adding a simple ground connection to a station with "rf
in the shack" problems is not the solution and may, in fact, make matters
worse.

Very few earth grounds constructed by the typical amateur are very
effective, presenting hundreds of ohms of connection resistance to the soil.

The preferred approach is to find out where the rf is coming from and
correct that situation. All coax cables entering the shack should be
provided with baluns at the antenna feedpoint and again at the shack
entrance if needed. Antennas that place the shack equipment at other than
zero rf potential should be avoided.

Finally, the most effective way to place the equipment at zero rf potential
is the "driven ground." This consists of a 1/4 wave length of wire with one
end connected to what is decided to be the station "ground" point and the
other end unconnected. The wire can lay on the shack floor. It will carry
induced current and radiate and thus is a source of RFI. But the open end
will assume a high r-f potential thereby driving the connected end to very
near zero potential. A wire for each band can be used if needed.

73, George W5YR
Fairview, TX
w5yr at att.net
http://www.w5yr.com