Forum Discussion
Gdetrailer
Apr 02, 2021Explorer III
JoeChiOhki wrote:DrewE wrote:
Ideally: install a piece of sheet metal under the antenna (a few square feet) and attach it to that. The ground plane is there to basically act as a sort of RF counterpoise for the main antenna element; the DC voltage it's at is comparatively of little importance from an antenna performance standpoint (but may be of great importance to the circuitry in the radio or any amplifier circuitry in the antenna).
If you aren't going to create a proper ground plane, connecting it to most any handy chassis ground potential place is probably the best plan, but it may be worth experimenting with it connected and unconnected to see if perchance one works better than the other.
Ergo, the question. The unit is entirely made of wood and fiberglass and there is not space where the antenna was mounted to attach a metal ground plane, ergo why I was wondering if there was another route that could be taken with the grounding strap.
I think Drew was suggesting to "mount" (glue or screw) a piece of metal under, near or around the antenna area. That metal can be nothing more than some light gauge galvanized tin or even aluminum.
The antenna should already have a connection to 12V ground via the outside shield of the antenna coax which should have an electrical connection to the antenna strap. The coax shield should connect through the radio to the battery negative ground connection and the negative ground wiring becomes the "ground plane".
As Drew mentioned, try it as is, if it works then go with it as is, if it doesn't work well then adding some light gauge sheet metal to the roof near the antenna might help.
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