Topband: Silver solder

[donovanf at starpower.net]

Hi Jorge, 

Aluminum wire may have a short life due to corrosion, depending on 
your local soil conditions. Aluminum wire buried in poorly drained 
clay soils is particularly susceptible to corrosion. It is for this reason 
that the National Electric Code bans the use of bare aluminum in soils. 
Corrosion is nothing more than the inherent tendency of refined metals 
such as aluminum to revert to their natural ore state through release of 
latent energy acquired during the refining process. 

Metals like copper, gold and silver that exist naturally in their metal lic 
state are almost totally impervious to corrosion from most soils found 
worldwide. Natural clay, sand, gravel, loam, and chalk soils seldom 
possess the combination of properties that promote copper corrosion. 

Abnormally aggressive soils -- for example, soils with extremely high 
levels of organic or inorganic acidic materials, sulfides, or carbon 
bearing materials such as cinders -- may promote copper corrosion. 

73 
Frank 
W3LPL 

----- Original Message -----

From: "Jorge Diez - CX6VM" <cx6vm.jorge at gmail.com> 
To: Topband at contesting.com 
Sent: Thursday, January 1, 2015 2:28:00 PM 
Subject: Re: Topband: Silver solder 

Thanks all for the help 

Will be looking for a lead free solder to solder terminals to the radial 
wires 

According to use 3.5 mm aluminum wire, what do you think? Is a good option 
or is better to use copper stranded cable? 

73, 
Jorge 
CX6VM/CW5W 

-----Mensaje original----- 
De: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces at contesting.com] En nombre de Gary Smith 
Enviado el: miércoles, 31 de diciembre de 2014 02:49 a.m. 
Para: Topband at contesting.com 
Asunto: Re: Topband: Silver solder 

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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> > 
> 
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