Static on Sound System - Problem solved but new one found - antenna acting as ground?

OK, so I ran a solid single wire ground from my stereo to the battery and it got rid of my static and noise issues - also cleaned up a bunch of really cheesy OEM wiring (Lund Alaskan 18- 2001) ...but while I was working on it, I had an FM station on and I decided to just cut the ground at the unit....and the stereo kept playing...until I disconnected the antenna. The antenna has switched power to it, in tandem with the radio switch which takes power off a fused buss. Not clear how the antenna acted as a ground and kept the stereo playing after the main ground was cut.

I am in the process of doing a major re-wire of all the components, which were run off three fuses in the face of the panel; I added the fused buss and everything works way better and trouble-shooting is way easier. The OEM used all kinds of jumpers and such that were wired in series with front-panel switches. I am getting rid of the glass-type fuses and tying everything back to the buss and dedicated grounds and power throughout. Learning much as I go....adding switches and making clean, tight splices for male, female and butts....

I have lurked here long enough and am pleased to be in the company of iboat experts.

Pleasant seas to all!

Re: Static on Sound System - Problem solved but new one found - antenna acting as gro

OK, so I got fed up with the DUAL stereo and sent it back for warranty replacement. I re-installed it per spec and it sounded very raspy, static on USB, FM and CD modes. I checked every wire, every splice, every ground and just said F - it and sent it back. It had to be a problem with the unit since I isolated it by unplugging every fuse a left the DUAL running.

Also, the reason it kept running was the unit is also grounded via the antenna apparently. Someone correct me if that is wrong. Warranty on it was to run out in three weeks!

Pleasant seas to all!