[Elecraft] K2 grounding

[Don Wilhelm]

Fred,

There should be no mental connection between an earth ground and a signal
return path - they are different things altogether.  They may be connected
together at some point, but that is usualy best accomplished at a single
point lest circulating currents (and the resulting elusive ground loops)
occur.  Attempting to make 'chassis ground' and 'earth ground' be everywhere
at the same 'zero potential' is an exercise in futility, it will just not
happen.

I believe you are really referring to a signal return path (or signal common
or chassis ground) in the K2 - and the answer is yes, it is what we commonly
call 'ground' inside any piece of equipment.  There is no necessity for this
signal common to be connected to a real 'mother earth' ground, and in fact
can be operated at any potential level at all.  It is only relative to other
points within a given piece of equipment and not relative to any single
thing that can be called 'ground'

I believe the American English language has confused the distinction between
earth ground and common connections because we do not usually use two
different words, we just call all common points 'ground' where the British
usually distinguish by referring specifically to 'Earthing', but I detect
that that term is sometimes used for a chassis common on the East side of
the Atlantic too.

73,
Don W3FPR


> -----Original Message-----
>
> Does the K2 have a circuit or PCB (main board) layer,
> or signal that one could call a ground plane?  Or does
> a common ground plane or layer or signal - connect
> from board to board?  So that if one grounded his rig,
> to an actual earth ground rod - all of these K2
> circuits would be commoned to that.  (house 110VAC
> grounds often aren't, and can be different voltages
> than earth ground)  This topic has arisen quite a
> few times in past in terms of soldering irons and
> stations.
>
> Fred, FL
>
>
>
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