Tony:
As a potentially cheaper alternative, consider using copper water
tubing, like for refrigerator ice cube makers, as the main element of your
radial ring. I used #8 soild copper wire, but would use the tubing if I did
it over again. You can solder it together to form a ring by overlapping the
ends several inches and wrapping this joint with smaller gauge wire then
soldering.
To construct the dirt anchors you described for the pipe, simply solder
several short lengths around the circumference of the ring perpendicular to
the plane of the ring. Then use liquid electric tape to cover each solder
joint after the radials have been attached to prevent deterioraton that Al
discusses.
73 de
Gene Smar AD3F
----- Original Message -----
From: "Al Kozakiewicz" <akozak@hourglass.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, January 10, 2011 4:58 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Home brew radial ring question
> Just remember that solder does not survive contact with soil for very
> long.
>
> AM towers are connected to their radial fields in a similar manner. The
> ground ring is typically buried. But connections are brazed, not soldered.
>
> Al
> AB2ZY
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of K2VI
> Sent: Monday, January 10, 2011 2:59 PM
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Home brew radial ring question
>
> I was thinking of purchasing the DX engineering radial plate and clamp
> priced at 73.00 , However the more i thought about it i was leary about
> the
> SS to copper connections and losses due to that dissimilar metals. I was
> wondering if a 3/4" soft copper pipe bent in a circle and double wrap the
> #14 radial wire and solder. also a #6 insulated stranded copper wire to
> the
> UNUN will be a more efficient ground system. I was thinking of installing
> 3/4 tees @ 180 degrees apart with copper pipe legs about 18 inches and
> smash
> the end so i can tap the ring in the gound so it will be securely in place
> and will not move. It sure will save money and my assesment is it will be
> a
> more direct system. All copper to the unun. By the way the antenna is a
> zero
> five 43' vertical. I will say the construction is heavier duty than my
> mosely or anything ive seen from an antenna company. This guy tom makes on
> heck of an antenna.
>
> tony
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