Topband: Soldering radials?

[Josh Arritt]

In AM broadcast practice, I'll use 15% brazzing rods and a Oxy-MAPP 
torch.  Some of my older stations have Cu strap in the dirt that is 
THICK, takes a lot of heat to flow on it.

I've melted in two some radial wires (soild #10 Cu) in the past with 
that torch, but they were aged wires and I was really throwing the white 
fire to them.

My experience, the paste fluxes always leave a lot of green oxide on the 
top of the copper -- likely not an electrical detriment, except for 
later additions, repairs, modifications, and aesthetics.

Good thread!

73,
      - Josh / KF4YLM




On 10/12/2016 17:44, Drew Vonada-Smith wrote:
> Matt,
>
> MAPP gas and a small torch doesn't pose much of a threat to pure copper.  I've never had an issue, and I am not particularly skilled.
>
> A few asked me about sources for Stay-Silv 15.  Here is one example link from Amazon:
>
> https://www.amazon.com/HARRIS-STAY-SILV-PHOS-COPPER-SILVER-BRAZING/dp/B0089EXHK4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476307743&sr=8-1&keywords=harris+stay-silv+15
>
> Those 7 sticks are enough to cross a lot of radials.  I might have used 2/3 of that for an entire four square with ground level radials.  If you want to use flux, helpful but not critical, the appropriate one is the Stay-Silv white flux.
>
> Something like this works just fine for a torch.  It is also big enough for larger copper strap, braid, ground rods, etc.  Very useful.  http://www.homedepot.com/p/Bernzomatic-TS4000KC-Trigger-Start-Torch-Kit-TS4000KC/203368730
>
> 73,
> Drew K3PA
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 10
> Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2016 14:56:10 -0500
> From: Matt Murphy <matt at nq6n.com>
> To: Drew Vonada-Smith <drew at whisperingwoods.org>
> Cc: "topband at contesting.com" <topband at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: Topband: Soldering radials?
> Message-ID:
> 	<CANth69jZ_yibkJMVR3qe_pAzAd+FXLMrUmFrRqC4TjeMxh6zxw at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> Is there any danger of damaging stranded copper wire by overheating it with
> a torch when soldering or brazing?
>
> 73,
> Matt NQ6N
>
> On Wed, Oct 12, 2016 at 2:41 PM, Drew Vonada-Smith <drew at whisperingwoods.org
>> wrote:
>> Radials are a lot of work to put in, and the expense of wire is
>> significant.  I can't see any justification for not joining them the best
>> way available.  IMHO, silver brazing.
>>
>>
>> I use and recommend Sta-Silv 15 (15% Ag, 80%Cu, 5% P brazing stick) and a
>> simple MAPP gas torch.  Propane is not quite hot enough to work well.
>> Liquidus is 1475F.  Flux didn't seem necessary, but you could use white
>> brazing flux.  Sure, I spent $25 in solder over about 5 verticals, but of
>> what significance is that compared to the rest of the effort, to insure a
>> lasting joint?
>>
>>
>> Sta-Silv 5 is probably fine also, with a 1500F liquidus,  But I prefer the
>> characteristics of the 15%.  Very easy to work with.
>>
>>
>> 73,
>> Drew K3PA
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 5
>> Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2016 08:52:40 -0700
>> From: "Richard (Rick) Karlquist" <richard at karlquist.com>
>> To: "Topband at contesting.com" <Topband at contesting.com>
>> Subject: Topband: Soldering radials?
>> Message-ID: <c04783d1-8f96-c17c-5921-fb6648e8587e at karlquist.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
>>
>> I'd like to get the latest thinking from the group
>> on soldering radials.  What I currently thinking
>> is as follows:
>>
>> SOLDER SELECTION:
>>
>> 1.  Tin lead doesn't hold up in the weather.
>>
>> 2.  "Stay Brite" 3% silver solder (97% tin,
>> no lead) is known to work well, but is expensive,
>> and has a considerably higher melting point
>> than 63/37.
>>
>> 3.  Lead free plumber's solder obviously works
>> in water pipes, but does it hold up outdoors
>> in the rain?  What is the melting point?
>>
>> FLUX SELECTION:
>>
>> 1.  Pure rosin.  Hardest to work with, but minimum
>> corrosion issues.
>>
>> 2.  Activated rosin.  Easier to work with.  What
>> corrosion issues are there?
>>
>> 3.  Acid core plumber's flux.  Very easy to work
>> with, very corrosive.  Does this hold up in the
>> rain, etc?
>>
>> (I remember the dire warnings that Heathkit manuals
>> had about not using acid core solder, but I
>> guess that doesn't apply to radials.)
>>
>> CRIMPING?
>>
>> Has anyone tried crimping as an alternative to solder?
>>
>> Rick
>> N6RK
>>
>>
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>> End of Topband Digest, Vol 166, Issue 8
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