"John Smith" wrote
the 'ground' connection to a radio feeding a dipole is actually
returning current from the ground back to the feedpoint via the
outside of the coax shield.
______________

Usually there are good reasons to connect an earth-based tx chassis to an
earth r-f ground. But if the tx is feeding a dipole or other balanced
radiator, that radiator doesn't need or use a connection to an earth r-f
ground to generate its radiation. The current source for one side of the
dipole is the other side of the dipole.

For example consider airborne VHF tx/rx/antenna systems -- which work just
fine with no reference to an earth "r-f ground," whatsoever.

RF

Richard Fry wrote:
"John Smith" wrote
the 'ground' connection to a radio feeding a dipole is actually
returning current from the ground back to the feedpoint via the
outside of the coax shield.
______________

Usually there are good reasons to connect an earth-based tx chassis to
an earth r-f ground. But if the tx is feeding a dipole or other
balanced radiator, that radiator doesn't need or use a connection to an
earth r-f ground to generate its radiation. The current source for one
side of the dipole is the other side of the dipole.

For example consider airborne VHF tx/rx/antenna systems -- which work
just fine with no reference to an earth "r-f ground," whatsoever.

RF

Richard:

I have been "short" with some because I suspect they "pull my leg" a
bit. I have no problem with the example you cite. However, if someone
is at the point where they really need to ask, better for them to be
overly cautious and "overly grounded." It would bother me is someone
was injured or worse from some oversight of mine, something I was not
clear enough on. And yes, I realize that even attempting to avoid such
errors, I may make them.

So, we agree...

JS