>Good info Dick but possibly regional in availability. I have been using
>Tarn-X for several years now but Wal-Mart is the only place within about
>20 miles of here that carries it. The instructions say not to dip silver
>into the solution but I find that sometimes is the only way that works. I
>pour some into a small plastic container and use an old toothbrush to do
>the cleaning. You can reuse the solution several times if you filter thru
>a paper towl or coffee filter but eventually it has to be thrown away.
>
>For polish, I use BLITZ brand Silver Care with tarnish retardant also at
>Wal-Mart but only $2.97 for 8oz.
>
>Does that Silversmith stuff really work for RF use? I've no personal
>experience with plating but have read several posts elsewhere over the
>years that real electroplating is the only proper procedure.
>
>Which brings up another question. I am considering building a basic
>electroplater for silver. Do I need pure silver or can I use plated stuff
>for the source? If I cant use plated scrap, what is required to seperate
>the silver from the copper or whatever? Any books to check out of the
>library?
>
>73 Carl KM1H
>
Carl, you don't need pure silver. The most common electroplating solution
for silver plating is silver cyanide. Cyanide gas is evolved during the
electroplating process so it should be done in the garage with the doors
open, or on the deck or patio or whatever. If you use a pure silver
electrode, you still need potassium cyanide for the electrolyte. Might as
well buy the silver cyanide solution already made up.
I have a friend who is head of the electronics lab at a local university.
They have an electroplating kit they use for for plating rf parts and
connectors with gold and silver. He's offered to loan it to me but I
haven't taken him up on it yet. Why don't I borrow this thing and the
solutions and get all the particulars (voltage, current, time, solution
souces etc). I'll pass the info along and maybe save you some time.
I've learned from this guy that a "matt" finish is far superior to a
"mirror" finish for rf work - apparently better conductivity and longevity,
and the film is thicker which is important for rf. Mirror finish is good
cosmetically, but not AS good as matt finish for rf. I recently looked
inside an AL-1200 and saw that the tank L had a matt finish.
Phil
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