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Re: [TowerTalk] Solid 160 radial plates?

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Solid 160 radial plates?
From: W0MU Mike Fatchett <w0mu@w0mu.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2018 09:34:51 -0600
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
The DXE radial plate is $60.00.  It is Stainless and has 60 connection points, allows for other connections such as your coax connector.  I found one buss bar at Lowes with 15 connections for 10 bucks x 4  equals 40 bucks, Not sure if it is stainless and weather proof.

Some people are also concerned with the aesthetics of their installations.

In  the end why does it matter  what other people use?

W0MU

On 8/28/2018 6:29 AM, jimlux wrote:
On 8/27/18 11:37 PM, David Gilbert wrote:

I totally agree.  I can't think of a single valid reason why a plate is even a little bit better than simply a tie point at the base. I've often wondered why folks don't simply use the addon bus bars for electrical panels that you can buy at any Lowes or Home Depot. They are relatively inexpensive, have screw connections, and make a fine non-corroding contact.  They can be daisy chained together for as many radials as you have the ambition to put down.  And if somebody wants to be a purist about it, four of them arrayed in a square around the base makes way more sense than a plate.



Indeed.  The only hiccup I've encountered with that style of connection is that they're designed to be inside a service panel or equivalent, and protected from the elements. They're also designed for fairly large diameter wire (i.e. 14 AWG or bigger). Most radials I've seen mentioned are smaller diameter, and I'm not sure the screw/anvil combination would make good contact with smaller wire.  You could probably shove a bunch of wires in one hole and crank down on the screw, but I'd feel better with soldering them.


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