Topband: Antenna terminations

[Tom W8JI]

> Depends on the method used to provide the conductivity.  If it's carbon 
> black filled, the shrinking is goin g to push the molecules of the carbon 
> black closer together and that results in a net decrease in volume 
> resistivity.  It may not matter however, as carbon filled stuff is going 
> to be in the K-ohms range in the lowest case.  Other fillers may have 
> lower values.

This is of interest to me, because I use carbon resistors and heat shrink so 
often.

I just measured several carbon composition and film resistors, and none 
changed value with pressure (in a table vice) until they fractured.

I can't find any conductive heatshrink, either. This potential issue really 
should concern all of us, because it is a serious hazard if we heatshrink 
power line leads or HV cables.

I'm not doubting the results, but the only resistors that I've seen change 
value outside of age or abuse are large carbon bar resistors when submerged 
in a liquid. For dummy loads, like a Cantenna, the resistor has to be 
specially treated before spending any time submerged.

I routinely mount Allen Bradley carbon composition and Ohmite metal 
composition termination resistors right out in the open air, directly 
exposed to weather, and they stay good for years! They can look really ugly 
and still test good. This isn't saying that is a good practice, just that I 
haven't ever seen an issue outside of direct lightning hits. I have some 
pretty ugly resistors retrieved when redoing antenna end connections (the 
fence wire rusts with age), and they still are good!

If there is a certain brand of materials that is sensitive, it would be 
helpful to learn what it is.

I do not use metal or carbon films outside, or in high overload 
applications. BTW, some carbon films look **exactly** like carbon 
composition resistors!!

73 Tom