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Earthing and the radio amateur

I've recently joined the IET forums. I replied to a topic regarding amateur radio and PME on the old forum. Unfortunately I cant access the old forum anymore so I thought it would be best to start a new topic.

So. On the bench there is a transceiver with a metal case. Next to the transceiver there is a antenna tuning unit which is connected to a antenna system which is using an earth rod. Am I right in saying there is a chance of a potential difference between the two metal cases of the equipment regardless if it is a TT, TNS or TNCS?

What would be the ideal solution? Put the shack on it's own TT supply and bond all the radio equipment back to the MET of the TT and if a earth rod is used for the antennas connect that back to the MET also?

If the TT system was not an option what would be best if the supply was a PME and you didn't want to use balanced antennas removing the use of an earth rod?

To be honest I've never really given PME's and amateur radio much thought which in hindsight was probably a mistake. I do remember when I did my training an earth rod was recommended for the radios.

Apologies for being so random.

Stewart M0SDM

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0 MikeD over 4 years ago

Thanks for that.

In my case, the antenna is an HF end fed half wave wire, connected to the transceiver via a voltage transformer and coax. Due to the constraints of our property it is only 12 feet above ground.

The ground rod is connected to the coax shield and is there to prevent static build up. It is not an RF ground (that function is provided by a section of the coax feeder which acts as a counterpoise).

When not in use I disconnect the antenna from the transceiver and its power supply from the mains. I'd like to know if any further precautions against lightning strikes are required. We haven't had one in this area for forty years, but you never know ...
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0 MikeD over 4 years ago

Thanks for that.

In my case, the antenna is an HF end fed half wave wire, connected to the transceiver via a voltage transformer and coax. Due to the constraints of our property it is only 12 feet above ground.

The ground rod is connected to the coax shield and is there to prevent static build up. It is not an RF ground (that function is provided by a section of the coax feeder which acts as a counterpoise).

When not in use I disconnect the antenna from the transceiver and its power supply from the mains. I'd like to know if any further precautions against lightning strikes are required. We haven't had one in this area for forty years, but you never know ...
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

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Earthing and the radio amateur

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