Revision 2
13
The only proper line-isolator installation points are either just outside the operating room
entrance and/or close to the problem’s actual source. If the desktop has defective cables or
connectors, or poor equipment cabinet design, locate and correct the actual problem.
Safety and Lighting Grounding
The power supply cabinet grounds through a safety ground pin on the power plug. This system
depends on a properly wired power outlet.
Lightning protection grounds do very little good at the operating desk. Lightning protection
grounds belong at the antenna cable entrance to the building. Station ground rods must always be
electrically bonded, with low impedance and resistance, to the power line entrance ground. The
national electrical code in the USA prohibits isolated ground systems at a dwelling entrance.
Isolated ground rods or systems connected to conductors entering a dwelling increase the
chances of damage from storms, and increase fire hazard and shock risk.
RF grounds generally belong at the antenna, or at the feed line entrance. With the special
exception of a small floating counterpoise grounds, RF grounds at or very near the dwelling
should bond into the mains ground outside the dwelling. This is especially true with earth contact
grounds.
There is a ground lug on the amplifier rear panel. This ground lug provides a convenient chassis
connection for operating positions with ground buss on the desk. A station ground buss helps
ensure desk area equipment cabinets are close to the same electrical potential for radio
frequencies and lower. Equipment ground lugs are NOT for independent wires or connections to
external ground rods or ground systems from each piece of equipment. They are for connection
to a desktop ground buss system, if you prefer to use such a system.
Independent wire connections are counterproductive, the opposite of good practices. Never use
RF isolators between the amplifier and radio. Never use long independent wires to external
ground. Never connect desk equipment to ground rods that are not bonded to the mains ground
rod.
Interconnection Wiring
Basic Interconnect
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