Forgot who raised the issue, but if you want to solder connections on
corroded copper antenna wires, a wire brush will only get the exposed parts
clean. It won't help with the underneath areas where the wires are in closest
contact. What is needed to really clean the wires is an acid flux.
The best I have used is Duzall by Allstate Welding Supply. It can be
found at any welding supply company and most good hardware stores.
Start heating the connection with an iron or even directly with a propane
torch. When it gets hot apply a little Duzall with a cotton swap--doesn't
take
much. The copper will become instantly bright and flashy--even underneath
the wires. Apply solder and you have a great connection--the solder will
wick everywhere it is suppossed to. Wash off the connection with water while
it is still hot to make sure the acid flux is gone.
Just takes an instant and makes for fully soldered connections. It isn't
cheap in the little bottles but the price per ounce goes down quickly as
the quantity increases. But it doesn't take very much so you can probably
do connections for a lot less than a penny each.
73 John W0UN
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