Mobile install: Radio Grounding

[rchydro]

Greetings
I have been messing around with the radio "A Cobra 138 XLR" I plan to use in my 2001 Chevy PU.
Do I need to ground the "Body" of the radio ? I know the radio is grounded thought the power cord.
But with so much plastic in the cab of the truck the outside of the radio is not going to get grounded unless I do it.
Thanks Steve
.

['Doc]

Won't hurt, might help. Why not?
- 'Doc

[Radar-DLDN]

Won't hurt, might help. Why not?
- 'Doc

One of the most simple, succinct answers I have heard. Love it.

I ran a wire from one of the door bolts to the mounting bolt on the radio and it helped reduce the noise from the motor. For a few feet of wire and no real work involved there really isn't any reason not to.

[str8stroke]

Steve, Welcome to the forum. If you are just installing a basic radio and antenna and you may not need to bother. If the "NB/ANL" takes out enough noise to make you happy, and as long as there are no buzzing sounds when you transmit, I would not bother. Just my opinion.

[drdx]

If you do have to run a ground, as in your plastic situation, meaning that your mounting situation doesn't make it to where it isn't automatically grounding it, then keep the ground as SHORT as possible, as in under a foot, and the bigger the wire the better. Braid is best. That said, if it is just the radio and antenna you could get away without it as many do. Now in less than 2 weeks after you mount it all up you're going to want to ground it because you will be acquiring an addiction. You'll want more power, in the form of an amp, where grounding can be much more important and problematic.

Welcome, and dont' forget that the antenna is the most important part.

-drdx

[015reddog]

If you do have to run a ground, as in your plastic situation, meaning that your mounting situation doesn't make it to where it isn't automatically grounding it, then keep the ground as SHORT as possible, as in under a foot, and the bigger the wire the better. Braid is best. That said, if it is just the radio and antenna you could get away without it as many do. Now in less than 2 weeks after you mount it all up you're going to want to ground it because you will be acquiring an addiction. You'll want more power, in the form of an amp, where grounding can be much more important and problematic.

Welcome, and dont' forget that the antenna is the most important part.
-drdx

+1, exactly. Great post.

[rchydro]

Thanks to all who replied, Looks like finding a ground in side the cab is a good thing.
And the weather man said "The high for the day is not going to be a+100 deg."
So.... outside I go.
Thanks Steve