Radio Grounding Plate
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 1
From: grand prairie texas
Radio Grounding Plate
What is the purpose of the radio grounding plate? I have my rear bumper cover off and I noticed the plate is just kind of laying loose. Can I eliminate that plate and just ground the the antenna to the frame witha grounding strap?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
the grounding plate is a Ground Plane. It is important in Matching the antenna to the cable and radio. Without a proper match, you will not get the Gain out of the antenna it is designed to produce and the radio will sound like crap. You can make a new one out of a beer can, works good, just cut the ends off and punch a hole for the mast. It doesn't have to be pretty to work, but the flatter the better and a good mechanical connection to the mast is required.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 1
From: grand prairie texas
SIXFOOTER Thanks for the info. Should this plate be mounted up close to where the antenna goes thru the glass? I found mine just laying between the frame rail and the quarter panel. How is it held together? Do I need to bond it to the top of the quarter panel? Thanks for the help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
SIXFOOTER Thanks for the info. Should this plate be mounted up close to where the antenna goes thru the glass? I found mine just laying between the frame rail and the quarter panel. How is it held together? Do I need to bond it to the top of the quarter panel? Thanks for the help.
Yes it should be against the glass, it doesn't matter much what you use to stick it there, silicone, caulk, gorilla glue, resin...
Just get e good electrical/mechanical connection with the mast.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
from here looks like a bunch of tiny little rivits,, but that's factory and they prob just held it untill the bonding meterial dried. bonding meterial. Looks like a ground bar attatched to it to should go to the frame or to something that does. btw,, ground the ground plane, but don't let the plane have an eletrical connection to the mast of the antenna, that is the way it is electrically correct, seperate. Been an electronic tech for 14 years.
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 473
Likes: 6
From: New Port Richey FL
On my 73, it seems that there are two plates... one steel and one aluminum, riveted together. The end of the antenna cable holds goes through it and the a nut on the top side snugs it all together. I would guess something simular on the cars with power antennas.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
as mentioned, there are two pieces, one steel for strength and the other aluminum. there are four rubber bumpers that prevent rattles, but the mast nut holds every thing tight against the fender. be sure to attach the ground strap, or use a grounding wire.
