On Feb 16, 4:27*pm, Art Harris wrote:
BCBlazysusan wrote:
I know the importance of grounding, I'm a grounding freak (when it
comes to the antennas), be it here at my QTH or in the vehicle. But I
have never actually grounded any of my receivers itself. By that I
mean I have never actually grounded the radio before at my home.

I did over the weekend and I am curious - - does this make a
noticeable difference on the receiving end? I don't know if it's just
been a good listening environment over the weekend or did my grounding
of the radio make the difference.

I have noticed a 'very' low noise floor (almost to nothing) on both
the shortwave bands, especially 60 meters and also on the BCB bands.
Luckily I live out in the country away from a lot of the rf problems
people have in the city and I can't believe that I could get the noise
floor even lower than it usually is. Just good conditions this weekend
or did the grounding of the radios actually help in this?

An easy experiment would be to temporarily put a switch in series with
the ground wire. Then switch the ground in and out while listening to
a weak station. If there is a real improvement with the grounding, it
should be obvious by ear or by looking at the "S" meter.

I'm skeptical that it will improve reception. You may just be
expecting it to because you went through the trouble. Some folks swear
their car runs better after they wash and wax it!

Art Harris N2AH- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

No Art, I wasn't expecting it to help in reception, it never has
before (that I know of.) I took off the ground to see, and it didn't
make any difference on the meter or ear. The day before I grounded the
radio I increased the height of the antenna (A-D sloper) another ten
feet. I wouldn't think that would make the difference either.

I think the conditions have been pretty good. I always have a low
noise floor but it was so low I reached around to the back of the
radio to see if the antenna was connected, that's how quiet it is.
Same way tonight. For example, on 2.331 right now the meter is showing
just over 0 and that usually has a lot of static on those bands when
no one is talking. Maybe I shouldn't question it, just be glad. :-)