Thru Hulls

[Tony G]

Good, I'm not wacko about the ground.  I misread CPete's post to imply the shroud plates, through hulls and battery neg. was grounded together.  Sorry, but hey, it got you all talking:D  I like to see activity on this board.
Ebb what is the other issue concerning the VHF ground?  Over.  Roger that?

[ebb]

Agree!  I like the activity here too.   It keeps me focused,  focused on the whole project.   When I make 'pronouncements' I expect to be countered by some skipper.   I want the interaction,  really do,  but I realize my, let's call it, sarcasm is misinterpreted sometimes.   Or seeming too brusque - but I'm really a coward and a pussy cat.   And I like color.

VHF doesn't need to be ground to water.   I was wrong.

The SSB does,  big time.   It's the one that modern builders of boats bond into the hull a whole bunch of copper tape or do something like mold in the length of the hull twenty feet of copper braid.   Then the  pushpit and engine is grounded in as well.   Don't know why.   This is all WAY beyond my ken.   Seems like the radio would be exposed to a lightning strike if it shares grounds.   Of course this is where our confusion arises.

And when you are gathering info on this you have to watch what is accepted as correct by the speaker/writer.   Traditional ways are sometimes passe'.   Like the bonding in the Ariel.   IMCO

That Dynaplate of porus bronze is what we would have to use for the radio,  and my reading is that it is only mediorcre.   But I doubt 338 will ever have a SSB.   I'll probably install the antenae  (NO metal to metal contact with the mast!) and coax for the VHF in the mast,   And rig the backstay with insulators  -  but use a hand held.   By the time I get sailing,  we'll all be satallte and lithium cells.

Ole loud mouth.