[Elecraft] GROUNDING and BONDING

Bob McGraw K4TAX rmcgraw at blomand.net
Wed Nov 28 09:24:13 EST 2018


The  book GROUNDING and BONDING for the Radio Amateur, by H. Ward 
Silver, N0AX is one of the most complete and concise publications on the 
topic.    It covers most all aspects of the topic specifically for ham 
radio applications.   Written in easy to understand language with 
pictures and drawings makes for an ideal addition to any hams library.   
It is available from ARRL Publications.

{Disclaimer:   I have no affiliation with the author or ARRL other than 
being an ARRL member. }

73

Bob, K4TAX


On 11/27/2018 4:46 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Instead of grounding each piece of equipment separately to a ground 
> rod, try "bonding" instead.  Connect the KX3 to the PX3 with heavy 
> wire (or braid), then connect the KX3 to  the  KXPA100 with heavy wire 
> - from the KXPA100, connect to the ground rod.
>
> You should see a reduction is audio noise on the PX3 (which can be 
> made worse by separate ground wires) and the KXPA100 and KX3 should 
> 'play' better together.
>
> If you want more information on bonding, look at the documents 
> produced by Jim Brown K9YC - he posts frequently on this reflector.
>
> One thing to keep in mind - grounding everything (the KX3 and PX3 are 
> 'grounded" by virtue of the bonding wires) will not do anything about 
> RF pickup - Mother Earth is not a sink for RF.  The grounding is for 
> AC main safety and some protection against lightning and static 
> charges (but not a direct strike).
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 11/27/2018 4:58 PM, richard gilley wrote:
>> Hi,
>>     Following F. Cady advice on grounding the station equipment to a 
>> common bus, I did so.  My set up includes a KXPA100 with the ATU, the 
>> KX3 and PX3. Now I noticed that the KX3 does not always indicate the 
>> same antenna as the KXPA100 when I switch bands.  Sometime it does 
>> and then does not, or will change after 5 to 10 seconds.   I have a 
>> Vertical for 30 meters, and a Dipole for 40 and 20 meters, the 
>> KXPA100 switches immediately.
>>
>> I have powered down all the equipment, restarted and sometime this 
>> does the trick and all is well.  But sometime it does not. If I 
>> remove the ground from the KX3 and the PX3 the issue goes away.
>> The equipment ground is #18 stranded, < 10” to the bus, the bus has a 
>> copper braid to the KXPA100, the antenna grounds and on to the 
>> station ground rod 8’ feet outside the shack.
>>
>> At the moment all is OK.  I just do not know the root cause. Any 
>> ideas or thoughts.
>>
>> R Gilley
>> AD1G
>>
>>
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