I posted a picture a while back of my readings on an MFJ antenna analyzer, and they were pretty awesome... I drive a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT, Crew Cab and decided last weekend to bond all 4 doors, the hood, tailgate, fenders, and bed. Took my time, cleaned it to bare metal, used Kopr-Shield (
shorturl.at/duP56) on all bonding points, soldered all bonding strap lugs, used my Fluke 787 to check continuity (.02-.06 ohms across the board) and used stainless hardware. My readings became worse? Now I'm not talking about drastically, but they did degrade some. Truck was parked in the same place and the antenna was not touched. The only improvement I noticed was the noise dropped a tad. What's the reason behind this? I know it's not major or anything to be concerned about but I'd like a better understanding of the possible reasons behind it.
Thanks and sorry if this seems like a retarded question.
“Noise” is the thing. The reason.
A review of what I’ve read and followed.
Not questions for you, per se.
1). Ideally, bond jumpers under a foot in length. 8-10” cited. Tinned, woven-copper braid from 1/2” to 3/4” or wider.
2). Bare metal said “best” for bonding (leave primer;
maybe thinnest possible film of an anti-corrosive) with internal/external toothed washers and sheet-metal screw (not bolt).
3). Details of structure bonds?
- (4) corners of bed to chassis?
- (4) corners of bed-front to cab?
- (4) cab corners to chassis and jumped each body bushing?
- (4) corners of hood?
- (4) doors = (8) hinges
- Bumpers to brackets and brackets to frame.
- Tow hitch receiver
- Spare tire carrier
- A-arms & springs
- Drive Axle
- All brakes
Etc.
What I don’t see mentioned is
the exhaust system.
(3) or more
Its possible to have too many. Noise-reduction is lessened in effect as one first gets horizontal surfaces (including exhaust), then goes after vertical panels such as doors, tailgate, then less altogether such as suspension components.
But I don’t think you’re at that junction yet.
“Testing” by removal and addition.
Alan Applegates’ Old & New Testament at:
www.K0BG.com
Won’t hurt to clean, upgrade and add 12V grounds.
R&R all exterior lamps/housings/contacts (it’s old enough).
The other thing I’ve added to the job is to ALSO replace all fuses, relays and circuit breakers. Fusible links. Not part of the job description, but part of the system nonetheless. (Working parts become spares).
“Dat RF, she be goin’ somewheres. Hidin’ “.
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