Little O/T Probably belongs in wiring. Stereo ground problem

[rjewkes]

A little O/T, But has any one else noticed the antena acting as ground for a din/mini din cd or cassette stereo?Is this the nornal or is there a plastic/rubber washer for the screws in the base?

[68F250]

The shield (outer part of the connector) on the antenna cable is grounded to the fender via the base of the antenna mount. This makes the vehicle the ground plane for the antenna. You should not use the shield as the electrical ground for your stereo, run a separate ground wire for the power.

[mrung0wa]

Yup!

Remember Electricity is based on logic and like Nature you must respect and follow it's somewhat simple and basic rules.
In the case of Direct Current (DC) it flows like a water in a river in one direction and one direction only.
For good sound you must start with a good power source (+) and a good ground (-).

Lawrence

[rjewkes]

ok what i meant was i noticed that my radio was grounding without the black/ground wire grounded. As long as my antenna was connected.

Is it supposed to do this? I know with cbs if this happens you burn em out. And get no receptions.

[68F250]

A ground is a ground is a ground, the radio doesn't care where it comes from. The shield of the antenna cable is grounded at the fender by the antenna mount. Since the shield is connected to ground, it will ground out your radio chassis when you connect the antenna. You don't want to rely on the shield ground to be the radio chassis ground because the shield is not meant to carry current. Always connect the radio ground wire.

[rjewkes]

Ok thanks. But what if i happen to have de grounded the antenna base is this bad? I used elec. Tape around the screws so they would not ground to the base.