Tom, I think the only thing to do is clean all the ladder line wires
individually with wire wool.
I was using a Copper ring of 3/8" tube for radial connections but I've found
a much better method. I use a 12"X12" piece of thin brass sheet about 0.5mm
thick and drill 1/16" holes around the edge say 30 per side and also make a
3" dia hole in the middle. Connecting the wires through the holes is simple
and they solder much easier than Copper tube or thick wire. You can then
easily add more holes than your using with the system in place and the
brass cleans well with wire wool or emery cloth. 73 Clive GM3POI
-----Original Message-----
From: n4kg@juno.com <n4kg@juno.com>
To: TOWERTALK@contesting.com <TOWERTALK@contesting.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: 25 October 1999 05:31
Subject: [TowerTalk] Soldering Weathered Connections
>
>Anyone have a good technique for soldering new wires
>to old weathered connections?
>
>I have two applications in mind which have not gone as
>well as I would like.
>
>First, reconnecting stranded copper ladderline wires to
>my high 80M dipole which is supported at the ends by
>two 130 ft towers. Typically my ladderline breaks
>after one to two years service and it is difficult getting
>good clean solder joints to the old stranded copperweld
>antenna wire.
>
>Second, when adding radials to a 1/4 inch diameter
>copper tube ring (previously tinned) I found it difficult to
>reflow the old solder and again got only spotty solder
>lump connections. I have used both direct application
>of a propane torch flame and a soldering tip on the
>propane torch. Neither technique was satisfactory.
>
>de Tom N4KG
>
>
>
>
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