[PCR-1000] Grounding your equipment..

[A10382]

The PCR-1000 is typically powered by a block that does not provide adequate
ground for the equipment.  That's why ICOM put a ground lug on the case.

A simple and quick method of 'grounding' your radio if you have three prong
outlets in your house:

NOTE: THIS IS A GOOD METHOD FOR GROUNDING THE EQUIPMENT AND DISSIPATING
STATIC.  HOWEVER ANTENNAS SHOULD STILL HAVE AN OUTSIDE LIGHTENING PROTECTOR
THAT'S GROUNDED OUTDOORS - THE OBJECTIVE IS, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, TO KEEP THE
LIGHTENING OUTSIDE!

First you MUST test the outlet to be sure the ground lug is grounded - a
three light outlet tester (Home Depot has them for about US$5.00) will check
for proper ground and correct polarity.  You'll be surprised how many
outlets I find that are incorrectly wired - even by 'professional'
electricians.

Buy a HEAVY DUTY (looks ugly but so what) three prong male plug - one you
can wire yourself - and a length of #10 insulated stranded wire.  Connect
the wire to the ground lug in the plug and the other end to the ground lug
on the PCR1000 case.

            -- or --
You can buy a ready made plug/wire (#KIT1M - US$7) from my favorite
telephone equipment supplier: www.sandman.com.  You can look up stuff on
their web site but will have to call to order (Chicago area - 630.980.7710).
Have a catalog sent to you - it's great reading.  It has great tech
bulletins on everything telco, including solving telephone RFI and loop
current problems.  I've gotten a lot of modems to work at 50K - in lieu of
28K - by solving the telco problems in the house or office.

REMEMBER TO TEST THE OUTLET FIRST TO BE SURE GROUND IS REALLY GROUND AND THE
POLARITY IS CORRECT (BLACK IS HOT AND WHITE IS NEUTRAL).  THE OUTLET TESTER
HAS THREE NEON LIGHTS AND A GUIDE PRINTED ON THE TESTER.  IN ONE INSTALL I
DID LAST YEAR, THE HOT AND NEUTRAL WERE REVERSED AND A FEW 'GROUNDS' WERE
WIRED BY THE PREVIOUS HOMEOWNER TO 110V AC AND LEFT 'HANGING' TO KEEP FROM
POPPING THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS ~~  A VERY SHOCKING EXPERIENCE IN THE KITCHEN
WITH METAL OUTLET COVER PLATES !  AFTER FIXING THE HOUSE  WIRING, MODEM
SPEED INCREASED FROM 14.4 TO 49K.

Frank


----- Original Message -----
From: "Dominic" <perryfan@midsouth.rr.com>
To: <pcr-1000@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, March 18, 2002 2:27 AM
Subject: [PCR-1000] Apartment challenge...


>    I actually face many challenges with my new radio as I live on the
second
> story of an apartment building, but my main concern is that of grounding.
It
> would be difficult at best to plant a copper rod and even more difficult
to
> conceal a wire going down to it, so what options do I have as far as
making
> sure my radio gets grounded properly?
>
> Thanks,
> Dominic
>
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