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Ground for PT99

Signal Jammer

New Member
Jun 29, 2015
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Does the PT99 need a ground wire and copper grounding rod to operate better? When I first installed it, the SWRs were out of sight. After it rained, I could actually hear something, but could not get a response. Mine is 30_ feet above the ground from the antenna base to the bottom of the antenna. The rain tells me I could possibly need a better ground than an antenna mast that is about 4 feet in the ground.

Any ideas, cheers or jeers?

I am just not that familiar with this antenna. I had an Anton years ago and could talk from Knoxville Tn to Asheville, NC on a clear winter night. No, I wasn't stepping up the power. I just lived on the highest peak in the county.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!
 

Does the PT99 need a ground wire and copper grounding rod to operate better? When I first installed it, the SWRs were out of sight. After it rained, I could actually hear something, but could not get a response. Mine is 30_ feet above the ground from the antenna base to the bottom of the antenna. The rain tells me I could possibly need a better ground than an antenna mast that is about 4 feet in the ground.

Any ideas, cheers or jeers?

I am just not that familiar with this antenna. I had an Anton years ago and could talk from Knoxville Tn to Asheville, NC on a clear winter night. No, I wasn't stepping up the power. I just lived on the highest peak in the county.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!
As for grounding: I sink a 8ft ground rod in the ground next to the mast and use bare copper wire, (grounding wire available at Lowes, Home Depot, or your favorite hardware store), using grounding clamps.

With that being said, I have run the antenna's BEFORE connecting the ground, (Lack of supplies at the time), and the SWR was perfect, (a.k.a. very low). I always grounded more for lightning protection than trying to achieve a lower SWR. I've done this with two Antron 99's and an IMAX2000 and not had an SWR problem. I'd suspect a coax, antenna, or antenna location issue more than the grounding....but that's just based on my experience with these antennas. The manual does clearly state it needs to be grounded. ?????
 
The grounding should be done to comply with your local electric code. The ground will not have an effect on the antenna's performance. It sounds like something is wrong with the antenna or coax. The SO239 on each end of the coax needs to be soldered on properly. Shield and center conductor connections are equally important.
 
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As for grounding: ...I have run the antenna's BEFORE connecting the ground, (Lack of supplies at the time), and the SWR was perfect, (a.k.a. very low). I always grounded more for lightning protection than trying to achieve a lower SWR..... The manual does clearly state it needs to be grounded. ?????

yes, it states that in the "troubleshooting" section.

don't confuse RF ground (which, as previously stated does not affect VSWR) with electrical ground. they are not the same.
 
I didn't see a grounding lug on the antenna itself, so I assume I just attach the grounding cable to the portion of the antenna that is aluminum with a clamp and then the other end to the grounding rod. Right?
 
isn't the radiator isolated from the base?

attach the ground BELOW the isolator, usually this is done by bolting it to a metal mast you DON'T want to ground the radiator.


but,...... again, a poor ground will not cause the high VSWR you are seeing, something else is not correct
 
I didn't see a grounding lug on the antenna itself, so I assume I just attach the grounding cable to the portion of the antenna that is aluminum with a clamp and then the other end to the grounding rod. Right?
You can use a second nut and connect your ground wire to one if the U bolts that fasten the antenna to the mast. Again, this is an electrical ground and has nothing to do with swr...if it does something else is wrong.
 
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You can use a second nut and connect your ground wire to one if the U bolts that fasten the antenna to the mast. Again, this is an electrical ground and has nothing to do with swr...if it does something else is wrong.
Yep, you were right. I grounded the heck oout of this baby and when you key the microphone it goes up just to the red line on the radio. I'm going to tinker with the rings on the PT99 and try screwing them lower. They came from the factory screwed all the way up, which I don't think was right. The box was sealed, so I have to believe it came that way.

I'm trying to find someone that has an older VHF UHF HF radio that I can get for my autistic son. I don't have much to spend right now, but am still hopeful. I'm afraid to by off E-Bay. I'm afraid I will get burned and am not that familiar with the technology to implement.. He is really getting into this and I want him to get some radio friends.
 

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