I've used stainless plenty of times and haven't ever really noticed any
problems, but I've never tried to make measurements either. My new vertical
matching network I'm building using silicon bronze hardware to bring out the
connections but that's mostly just because I can. I don't really expect any
practical difference.
Silicon bronze is mostly copper with some silicon added to make it stronger.
It's commonly used in the telecom industry for power connections, but its also
used in marine construction and high voltage switchgear. It's readily available
from hardware suppliers but it costs more than stainless. If you want the best
conductivity and corrosion resistance then silicon bronze hardware is probably
your best bet.
-Bill
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 26, 2014, at 9:54 AM, "Charles Stackhouse" <cstack14478@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I have been building antenna hardware such as transmitting chokes, Beverage
> transformers, etc. in various plastic boxes. The electrical connections have
> been to solder lugs fastened inside the boxes to stainless hardware. The
> actual antenna wires have been connected outside the boxes to the stainless
> hardware such as eyebolts or bolts with wingnuts.
>
> A very tech savvy friend (microwaves, public safety radio) says this is no
> good. Due to the poor
> conductivity of stainless steel, RF connections should not be through the
> hardware but through wires brought out of the boxes soldered directly to the
> antenna wires.
>
> I would appreciated the advice of this group.
>
> Charlie, W2GN
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