Chris, It depends on the antenna. I suspect if you have a balanced antenna like a dipole without a tuner, you might be OK. But if you have a grounded vertical like I have, you will have a tremendous AC ground loop to deal with. You will have a huge center spike very broad in the SDR software. In my case I am using an RXTX v6.2 and I had to build an external RF isolation transformer. Now I don't even see any spike at all. Just a little dimple in the noise passband, where the sound card cuts off at.on the low end of the audio passband.
You can buy insulated BNC connectors. I would recommend that for the RF line. If you want to see what I was up against see: http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/softrock40/photos/browse/9d29 Bill WA9PWR kd4pbj wrote: > Hi, > > I see from the schematic that the return pad for the antenna connector > is isolated from ground. How will this affect the performance if I > ground it? I normally use regular panel mount BNC jacks and I have a > metal enclosure I am putting my board into. Any advice is appreciated. > > Chris > KD4PBJ > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > >
