Topband: Topband Beverage Frustrations

[W2SH@aol.com]

I always try to achieve a good soldered joint between conductors in addition 
to a rigid mechanical coupling.  The soldered joint is not expected to give 
the slightest mechanical support, and, by the same token, I never count on 
the mechanical support to provide the slightest degree of satisfactory 
electrical connection.  Each has its separate job, and only that, to do.

I have found that over time solder which contains lead turns dull and tends 
to crumble.  For outdoor applications,  I only use solder which is 96 percent 
tin and 4 percent silver.  I get this from Radio Shack, fully realizing that 
there must be more economical sources of supply, but I haven't taken the time 
to learn them.  I have not tried the lead-free solders which use antimony.  A 
100-Watt American Beauty iron (still running perfectly with its original 
element after 59 years of steady use) does the heat trick in all situations.  
When soldering ground connections to 1-inch copper pipe, I pre-heat with a 
blow torch and then do the actual soldering with the iron.  (The blow torch's 
very high heat "blows" the solder away if the flame even gets close to the 
solder). 

Done this way, soldered joints stay strong and shiny indefinitely.  
Asphalt-based tree wound paint is an effective coating, but it is ruinous 
when it gets on clothing.  Also, no tape will stick to it .

If you prefer to use tape, my experience has been that no vinyl or 
fabric-based (e.g., duct tape) has ever lasted more than a few months here.  
Interestingly, a high quality masking tape, such as 3-M brand and the blue 
masking tape used by painting contractors, seizes up very nicely around 
whatever it is wrapped.  The only problem is that its non-sticky surface gets 
brittle over time.  I use this masking tape over the wire joint or coax 
fitting, and then use a self-fusing silicone or rubber tape on top of that.  

The next time you see the telephone or TV cable truck doing line work in your 
neighborhood, chat up the lineman, and you might even get some of the 
self-fusing tape he uses.  I do recommend using the masking tape underneath, 
for it keeps the joint or fitting from getting gunked up from the self-fusing 
tape, and this makes for a happier situation if you ever decide to open up 
the joint or fitting at some future time.

73,

Charles, W2SH