Topband: soldering radials

[Herb Schoenbohm]

On 8/15/2011 8:12 PM, Jorge Diez - CX6VM wrote:
> Hello,
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> a friend told me to not solder radials to the vertical ring/plate and
> between them if I am installing an array, like a 4 square. That´s because
> can catch some noise.
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> That´s true?
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> If yes, how can I solder them? Also if I use a DXE plate to atacch the
> radials, I need to solder the wire to terminals, so what type of solder may
> I use?
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> Jorge it depends a lot on the type and size of radial wire used.  Solid copper wire #6 through #10 are soldered to large copper strap in broadcast installations using silver solder and a torch. Extreme care and cleaning are required for a good and stable connection.  Some installation use large crimp lugs which can take a number of bare copper wires gathered into a single lug and crimp with a very large crimp tool.  Probably the best ground connection(s) are by using the cad-weld method but the cost is high per connection. Any dissimilar metal connections are a potential problem for which interface connectors are used to prevent the eating up of the less noble wire as current does flow through each wire.  Due to the high theft of entire copper ground systems in some areas some BC stations have  replaced their whole ground systems with very inexpensive barbed wire and have report  good results.  The problem is the installation handling.  It not fun but with the right equipment like a vibrating hollow server plow blade it can be done and with good speed laying the barbed wire under ground. The replacement of the ground system is however reduce from 20 years to 10 but comparison in cost to copper is worth considering.  Copper clad steel is also reasonable at #18 but the survivability depending upon soil type may require even more frequent replacement.
Regards,  Herb KV4FZ