Does a car ariel need to be grounded?

[megadethmaniac]

The Mrs daily a Picasso. Has had radio problems, which didn`t fuss me much.

Anyway now the weathers better I figured I`d check it out. Swapped over a different radio no change so starte looking at the ariel. The whole thing was a mess! Corroded so as I couldn`t get at it to see what was wrong if anything. The area was wet with condensation and the amplifier was not looking great.

Anyway in for a penny in for a pound and I decided to replace and see what difference was. So I ended up grinding the old one out and the whole thing came away in bits.

Installed new ariel and signal woo hoo.

Job done wait for the Mrs to return and asked her to see if she could see any difference? No, Pardon? No no different.

So back out again today! Stripped it back down and I find it will happily work if ariel is loose in the fitting or the earthing sheath is disconnected! ie the wire is not earthed back to the body.

Doesn`t seem right, but it works am i missing anything?

[Luxobarge]

The aerial itself shouldn't be eathed, but the shielding round the aerial cable should be, at the aerial end.

Normally.