[ICOM] Icom, Grounds and Mikes

[D C Macdonald]

The only time I ever tried to tie stuff in the shack
together, I ended up with a bunch of hum on my
2m packet signal.

Basically, I have never used a "station ground" in
any shack for over 50 years.  The only trouble I
have ever had was in my present QTH with very
limited space for antenna.  I ended up with RF
getting into my IC-8 mic on the 746 when trying
to load up my 120' closed loop on 75 meters.
Using the hand mic took care of the problem.

Before the tornado (3 May 99) took house and
all, the tower was connected to a 6' ground rod
just outside the 4.5 x 4.5 x 5 concrete base block.
15 element Cushcraft vertical yagi at 73' seemed
to work quite well to bleed off charges and I never
had a strike in 27 years.  Other houses in the vicinity
were hit, but I guess St Elmo's Fire bleeds off the
charge prior to buildup of a strike.

73  ---  Mac, K2GKK/5
Oklahoma City, OK