Topband: Radial Plate Designs - dual hole compression lugs

[m.r.]

http://ecat.burndy.com/Comergent/burndy/search/YA*FX*

this is just the top line manufacturer of compression lugs, the link should take you to 
the page for dual hole lugs

Similar products are available from a number of suppliers. All the major communications 
hardware suppliers have a variety - Talley, Tessco, SitePro1, to name just a few

Be prepared for sticker shock,  These are NOT your surplus or swap meet lugs

Sitepro probably has them at the lowest price in small (or large ) quantity

http://www.sitepro1.com/store/cart.php?m=product_list&c=15     this list shows both single 
and double hole, long and short shank

They also have galvanized bolts and nuts - and stainless - to bolt it all together with. 
Fanatics use silicon bronze bolts, nuts, washers when making a ground system  - usually 
for surge/lightening reduction grounding systems, but they will work just fine for a 
radial system.

Robin
WA6CDR

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gary Smith" <Gary at ka1j.com>
To: <Topband at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2015 10:57
Subject: Re: Topband: Radial Plate Designs


> I've never seen the dual hole lugs but they certainly would stop the
> attachments from moving. I like the idea.
>
> I made my own radial plate from a 18" x 18" x 3/16" SS plate with a
> square hole cut in the center for a butternut to be placed. I have 20
> 1/4" holes cut in per side. I used SS bolts, split ring "keepers" on
> each side of the plate, washers & nuts. I used Penatrox on both sides
> of the plate & inbetwixt all connections. For solder to the radials I
> used non-lead plumbing solder and assembled this 4 or 5 years ago. It
> rests on a bog on a salt water marsh, one that was under salt water
> thanks to Hurricane Sandy (My Ameritron RCS-8V used to select which
> antenna wire to use was just barely above the water and spared
> damage).
>
> This fall I went down to check the connections and remove the debris
> that accumulates on the plate, it was totally covered by dirt and
> organic material. In these rather harsh conditions I can say there
> was no visible oxidation whatsoever on the solder, had I used lead,
> it would have been significant. The 60 or so 130' radials were firmly
> attached albeit several nuts did turn a bit as I tightened them down.
> The Penetrox was still obviously present and the only sign of damage
> was oxidation to the exposed copper braids at the end of all coax
> leading to the 5 different antenna. I replaced the coax and all is
> good for another year. How I get my wires over the trees you can see
> at the bottom of my QRZ page.
>
> In summary;
>
> - In Salt Marsh/Salt water conditions SS plate is ideal as long as
> the hardware also is SS.
>
> - Leadless plumbing solder is an excellent choice for durability and
> secure attachment to the radials.
>
> - Not sure if the use of split ring "keepers" are necessary but due
> to the slipperiness of the Penatrox I decided to use them to gain a
> better purchase while tightening the bolts. Essentially, the
> connections have remained secure for the last 4-5 years.
>
> 73,
>
> Gary KA1J
>
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