The PHILCO Phorum
Ground necessity - Printable Version

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Ground necessity - Mjeansonne - 08-19-2018

i just completed restoring my Philco 40-180 and I noticed that if the onboard antenna and ground were not connected, no sound, not even static came from the radio. 
I am now working on a Victor RE 45 from 1929. If not connected to ground, will I get any sound (including Static) from the radio?  I have no ground attachment in my shop and before I go to the trouble of installing one, checking with those more knowledgeable me, just how necessary is ground connection.

RE: Ground necessity - Brad Winder - 08-19-2018

I don't know of many radios that will work without an antenna, but most will work without a ground. However, from my experience, the earlier ones (mid 30's and back) don't work well without a proper ground. They can have problems with weak reception and noisier operation (static). Non-superhets are the most affected by not having a proper ground connection.

RE: Ground necessity - Mjeansonne - 08-19-2018

Thanks for your prompt reply. I knew they don’t work at all without an antenna. This being a non superhet, I understand now. If I’m going to tinker on pre-1930 non superhets, I will have to install a ground in my shop.
Thanks again for the help!!

RE: Ground necessity - Kenneth F. Besso Jr. - 08-19-2018

YUP,,,went nuts with same thing on a Emerson model 39,,,no ground no sound,,,,ground to water pipes,,,works well

RE: Ground necessity - Mjeansonne - 08-19-2018

My exact problem too!! No sound!!! Then I remembered that the Philco 40-180 has nothing either if antenna AND ground are not hooked up. Usually if you touch the antenna connection you get something, a humm or static. Got nothing.
Thanks again!!

RE: Ground necessity - David - 08-19-2018

Many homes today have PVC water pipes so no luck with that for a ground. Easy to use a 8 foot ground rod and a acorn clamp and a run of something like number 12 stranded wire. Try and place your radio ground rod at least 20 feet from the ground used for the house electrical. David

RE: Ground necessity - Mjeansonne - 08-19-2018

Yes I know!?. That’s why I asked the original question. I have water pipes for a ground at my shop. Will have to buy and sink a growing rod. Thanks for the tip to place it 20 feet away from the house service electrical. It’s farther than that, but good to know.
Thanks again for the help!!

RE: Ground necessity - amptramp - 09-16-2018

If you replace the line cord with a 3-wire cord, you may be able to ground the chassis and connect the ground input to the chassis.  You may not have conductive water pipes but you should have a ground connection to the ground wire.

RE: Ground necessity - Arran - 09-17-2018

A Philco 40-180 should have a loop antenna inside the bottom of the cabinet, is is missing this may explain the reception issues as the loop antenna is part of the antenna circuit in the front end of the radio, rather then a broadcast band antenna coil mounted on the chassis. A ground should not be necessary for reception on an early 40s radio of any type, aside from a cheap TRF set if there were any still being made at the time.
Regards
Arran

RE: Ground necessity - Phlogiston - 09-18-2018

On the schematic, part number 64 gives you a chassis ground through 2 Y (X,Y or X1 Y2 ) caps to the power line. Probably not a good as a ground rod, but adequate.