[Elecraft] KX3 Vehicle mount

[Don Wilhelm]

This is the "sneak path" through a grounding system, and must always be 
considered.
Although this thread is directed at mobile installations, it applies 
equally to home station installations.  If you have a driven ground rod 
that is not connected with heavy wire to the utility entry ground rod, 
similar situations exist and can be a safety hazard.  Connect all 
grounds together unless they are 100 feet or more apart - it is a 
requirement of electrical codes.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 9/12/2016 10:01 AM, Fred Moore wrote:
> So what had happened..  This was a case where the radio was wired
> directly to the battery, with fuses in both the positive and negative
> leads.  The fuse in the negative lead was indeed blown (unknown
> reason).  The ground path to the radio was up the coax shield to the
> masthead antenna, this antenna was DC grounded flowed then down the mast
> to the ground plate.
>
> This connection raised the ground potential in reference to all other
> grounds 1.75 volts..  and was the cause of all of the problems.
> Properly grounding the radio ground to the ground plate permanently
> resolved the issue..
>
> This was a case of small currents (radio in receive), however should a
> starter have been involved as Tom (W8JI) explains the currents would
> have been great and could easily have caused a fire.
>
> My point is where ground connections are made can have consequences..
> Regards.. Fred
>
>