Wayne wrote:
"John Smith" wrote in message
...
David wrote:
What would you define RF ground as? There seem to be a lot of different
ideas.
David:

Ground can be a relative thing. What I have always found to be good
advice is that EVERY ground, at some point, be allowed to reach a low
ohmic earth ground (best possible if it all occurs at the exact same earth
ground point--or no current flows and there is no voltage potential
between such grounds.) For example, although a dipole needs no rf ground
directly at the point it connects to the feed-line, the rig hooked to such
an antenna and feed-line should be given a good earth ground.
snip

Regards,
JS

When you refer to hooking the rig/dipole to a good earth ground, are you
still talking about an rf ground, or a safety ground?
I see no requirement to connect a nicely matched dipole to an earth ground
for rf purposes. For example, a battery operated transmitter feeding a
dummy load wouldn't need one either.



Wayne:

Both. Only a dummy would think he needed an rf ground for a watt burner
of proper impedance.

However, there always is that "special case;" if the nitwit was running
a kw off a forklift battery, he just might want that rf ground.

JS