Grounding mobile HF and tuner

[joker535]

I am in the process of setting up an Icom 706mkiig and LDG IT-100 tuner in my pickup. The Icom and the LDG each have a large ground lug/screw on them. I know in a base station install they would be attached to the station ground. What about in the mobile? Do I run a heavy ground cable from the radio screw to the tuner lug and then to the frame or does the grounded antenna mount and negative power cable to the battery do it all for me?

I have been reading all over the net about grounding things and finding conflicting info. I am looking for just a simple answer about grounding these 2 equipment points, not a dissertation on antenna theory. Do I need them or do I not?

 

[AudioShockwav]

When running my Yaesu in my truck, both the radio and my LDG tuner are grounded to the frame.
I went thru a plug in the floor, kept it short.
I run a dual post battery just because I use the side posts for radio hookups, and on the neg I run a ground cable right down to the frame.
Top posts run the truck.

Works for me, I can run 10 thru 20 meters with a 96" fiberglass whip, and if I am parked I have a 3 foot extension I can put under the whip to help.
It will tune 40, but I know i am warming up the tuner and coax down there.


Power from the battery, and the frame becomes my ground point for everything.

I would not daisy chain from the radio to the tuner...I run a ground for each.



73

Jeff

 

[w9cll]

I ran the exact same setup in the car. I grounded the radio and tuner to the chassie and never had any issues. For antenna I used a 17 meter Ham Stick. I have since replace the HS with a screwdriver and removed the tuner.

 

[W5LZ]

The simple answer is, yes do the grounding. A slightly more complex way is to try it without a ground, then with a ground. That should tell you if it's absolutely necessary. It isn't a bad idea to do the grounding even if it isn't necessary. I wouldn't 'daisy-chain' them though. A separate ground wire from each device to a common ground point will be fine. A 'grounding lug' isn't for power ground, the power cables take care of that. That other ground is like a safety ground, run it to the chassis/frame/nearest ground point, doesn't have to be 'huge' at all.
- 'Doc

 

[ghutch]

Check out KØBG.COM
many good ideas on grounding etc......great mobile operation website