SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ham-mobile-negative-return

Where should a mobile radio's negative power lead connect in a vehicle?

At the 12-volt battery chassis ground.

  1. At the 12-volt battery chassis ground ✔
  2. To any metal part of the vehicle
  3. Through the radio's mounting bracket

Why: Connect the negative lead where the battery is grounded to the chassis. Random metal or a mounting bracket can give poor connections and noise.

Huh, didn't know that: To estimate battery run time, divide its amp-hour rating by the radio's average current draw.

The dad joke
Why did the mobile radio go to the battery? It needed some positive and negative influences.
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Sources

  1. NCVEC 2026-2030 Technician Question Pool (Element 2), errata Feb 19, 2026 https://www.ncvec.org/downloads/2026-2030%20Technician%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%20Public%20Release%20Feb%2019%202026.pdf

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