Topband: Silver solder

[Gary Smith]

I 2nd Merv's experience. My on the ground 
radials, on an oceanside salt marsh, have 
held up as new for 4 years and I used the 
lead free plumbing solder. The only issue 
is that solder requires a bit more heat 
then the leaded solder. 

That's all I use outdoors any more.

734 & HNY,

Gary
KA1J

> Here in salt air regular solder turns to white powder pretty fast,
> I have been also using lead free solder,  I got a roll of plumbers
> solder and a jar of resin flux.  works very well on #10 radials and
> 4 inch wide copper strap etc.   Have left several joints exposed
> and there is no corrosion after 4 years.
> Works great so far.
> 73 Merv K9FD/KH6
> 
> > 2% is about what the lead-free electronic solders are (they are a tin/silver/copper alloy and are mostly tin). Don't bother with the 30%. My mechanical contractor uses this stuff to fix things he can't reach well enough to braze. It's not generally used for anything normal.
> >
> > Coincidentally I was just out soldering more radials last night. I use 18 gauge solid copper radial wire and a 1/2" copper pipe ring to tie them together. My original 29 radials were all soldered with lead-free electronic solder and they are all fine after 2-3 years. I didn't do anything to try to protect the soldered connections -- everything is fully exposed and lying on the ground.
> >
> > I added 31 more radials. I soldered some the same way, but I'm trying regular lead-free plumbing solder on the others. I am finding the plumbing flux to work better than the rosin-core solder (it wets the joints more evenly). I'm not sure what the exact alloy is for the plumbing solder.
> >
> > If you use the solder bars remember that you'll need separate flux and brushes to apply it. I like the water soluble flux -- it cleans up way easier.
> >
> > -Bill KB8WYP
> >
> > Sent from my iPad
> >
> >> On Dec 30, 2014, at 7:28 PM, Jorge Diez CX6VM <cx6vm.jorge at gmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> Hello
> >>
> >> I read about using silver to solder wire radials to terminals
> >>
> >> This week I decided to ask sellers about silver solder and they offered me a 2% and 30% silver bars
> >>
> >> What we need for our use? Will be ok to use 2%? The difference in price is extremely high!
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >> Jorge
> >> CX6VM/CW5W
> >>
> >> Enviado desde mi iPhone
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