Vhf ground wire????

[SunnyCoastMark]

Hey Guys,
Saturday morning - raining & windy - So I thought I would install my new ICOM VHF. Looking at the unit and reading the instructions like the clever boy I am - I notice that there is a ground wire facility (ie screw hole)from the unit which is recommended to be grounded to the boat?
My Boat is ally and so I have obvious corrosion concerns with doing this.

The manual says that it will help to eliminate static ( a good thing) Has anyone else fitted or not fitted the ground wire and found that it made any difference?

Mark

[marto78]

Just fitted an Icom in my alloy boat a couple of weeks ago without grounding it and get perfect reception. I'm in kedron and listened to a barge radio in as it was going under the Captain Cook Bridge clear as day.

[Hagar]

G'Day Mark
I did not fit this ground on my VHF and it works just fine . My boat is glass though. Why not try it without it first and go from there.

Chris

[shandos]

Hi Mark
Most large vessels have a grounding plate which is connected through the hull to ground in the water. I have just installed a Raymarine multi function display e7D -- the installation instructions stated to connect the shield wire to a grounding plate if available -- if not connect it to the vessel negative pole -- which I did. Seems to work fine but having said that my VHF radio works well without the shield connected. I agree with Hagar -- suck it and see.

Best
Paul

[honda900]

I go with the no vote, 2 Glass boats with Icoms no grounding wire. both working fine.

regards
Honda.