"billcalley" wrote in message
oups.com...
I realize that dipoles are balanced antennas, but does the rig
itself still need an RF ground too? (I know the radio always needs a DC
ground, of course). How about if the dipole is being used as a
non-loaded "all band" antenna (IE: RIG--TRANSMATCH--LADDER
LINE--DIPOLE) -- would this affect the need for an RF ground on the rig
for operation in the dipole's non-resonant bands? Or is no RF ground
_at all_ required with a dipole; unlike when using random wires or
verticals, and other such un-balanced antennas?

With ladder line it is best to use a balun between the antenna tuner and the
transmission line. An RF ground on the rig is then not required (you won't
have RF voltages on the rig's chassis).

The thing about an RF ground is that due to the length of the ground
circuit, the rig is often not grounded anyway.