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Topband: Brass vs. Stainless Steel

To: <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Topband: Brass vs. Stainless Steel
From: "Chortek, Robert L" <rlc@berliner.com>
Date: Tue, 1 Nov 2005 11:15:48 -0800
List-post: <mailto:topband@contesting.com>
Fellow Topbanders,
 
Does anyone know if it makes a material difference in the performance of
a vertical antenna (and tuner) system if the screws used to connect
various parts of the system are made of brass or stainless steel?  An
example would be the screws used to penetrate the fiberglass enclosure
in which the tuner unit is contained (the head of the screw would be
inside the box and hold a lug connected to the LC network; the body of
the screw would extend through the box to the outside, where it would
serve as a binding post to connect the wire leading to the vertical.
Since the screw passes through the fiberglass box, with wires connected
to each side, the current must flow through the screw). 
 
I have heard that stainless steel is a relatively poor conductor and
that their use for that purpose should be avoided.  By the way, I
understand they are noncorrosive, and are often used for mechanical
connections for that very purpose. But my questions relates to cases
where the screw itself is used as a conductor, as in the case described
above.  Is this an issue worth worrying about, or is this level of
concern overkill?
 
What material should be used as an alternative?  Brass?
 
Thanks and 73,
 
Bob/AA6VB
 

Robert Chortek 
Berliner Cohen
Ten Almaden Boulevard, Eleventh Floor
San Jose, CA 95113
ph.: 408-286-5800
fax: 408-998-5388
e-mail: robert.chortek@berliner.com  


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