Charles Schuler wrote:


"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.




Most modern shacks have to long distance between the rig and ground. It's
not equal to an ungrounded rig but you might experience hf in your shack.

This is best solved by a short ground cable to a proper ground rod.

The next best thing is to buy or build an artificial ground. It's very
simple and can be made to cover all ham bands easily and will always give
you a perfect length of the earth cable... By cheating of course - but it
works!


Cheers

M0DFI