[Elecraft] Counterpoise vs ground wire ?

[Don Wilhelm]

Ron (and all),

Normally grounds are installed for safety.  If you are portable, you 
normally do not need a ground because there is no connection to the AC 
power lines.

I am fairly certain you will not be operating portable with antennas 
connected when there is lightning close enough to be harmful, so no need 
for a lightning ground.

That leaves an RF Ground - and contrary to amateur myth one does not 
achieve an RF Ground by connecting to mother earth - an RF Ground will 
be present at some point in any antenna system - just due to the 
characteristics of physics.  RF Ground will be that point of zero RF 
voltage - in a balanced dipole, it will be present right at the middle 
of the center insulator.

So the short answer is -- if the particular antenna needs a counterpoise 
wire to control the impedance and balance of the antenna system, then 
add it.  RF does need a "return path" (different than RF Ground), and 
the RF will make its own return path if one is not provided.  It may be 
the coax shield, the transmitter enclosure, etc. if no planned and 
proper return path is provided.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/1/2012 2:49 PM, Ronald Nutter wrote:
> I am putting together a portable QRP kit that I can fly on a plane with
> me.  Looking at several different antennas.  With being a portable
> operation, what has worked best for some of you to ground the radio ?  I
> am seeing references to some of the antennas that they need a
> counterpoise wire.  Is this in addition to a ground wire ?
>
>