[Elecraft] grounding K3/KPA500

[Jim Brown]

On 7/30/2011 6:43 PM, Radio Station wrote:
> I'm looking at getting the KPA500, but need to find a way to ground my K3 as
> well as the KPA500. I'm about 12 floors up in a high-rise and people have
> suggested to me that I should look into an artificial ground. Are there
> other suggestions, and artificial ground recommendations as well?

An earth connection is required ONLY for lightning safety, and in a high 
rise, the best and safest connection is to the steel frame of the 
building, AND to the green wire in the AC outlet.  Your ham gear should 
be bonded together, and to these two points.

A connection to the earth does NOT make your antenna work better, nor 
does it reduce noise, nor does it reduce RFI.  Proper BONDING (as 
described above) CAN help minimize both noise and RFI.

A long wire antenna needs some sort of counterpoise to serve as the 
return for antenna current, and the return for the fields produced by 
the antenna.  In most installations, that function is best filled by 
radials. In yours, the bond to the building steel is likely to be VERY 
effective.

Don't even consider wasting your money on so-called "artificial grounds" 
and stuff like that.

73, Jim K9YC