Topband: Silver solder

Thu Jan 1 15:54:52 EST 2015

.....and to add to the variables,  the wires connect to stuff that can drive 
the wires with potential difference from the soil.
This can "electroplate" the wires or wire protective coatings away, or it 
might slow it down.

This is why stainless steel bolts and clamps last a lot longer on aluminum 
booms and elements than galvanized hardware does, despite what some people 
might think (or claim) based on looking at galvanic tables.

None of this is a simple process of just looking at the material. It is a 
complex **system**.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <donovanf at starpower.net>
To: <Topband at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 01, 2015 2:25 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: Silver solder

> 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
>> >> _________________
>> >> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
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>
>
>
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