[TowerTalk] suggestions for attaching copper strip to ground rods

[K7LXC@aol.com]

In a message dated 99-07-08 18:32:44 EDT, calav@flash.net writes:

> > Hello- I've had good luck attaching  copper strap to copper-clad rods as
>  > follows:
>  > 1. Get rid of any mushrooming from the driving process with a file.
>  > 2. Coat the top 2 inches of the rod with an active liquid or paste flux.
>  > 3. Form the end of the strip around a rod of smaller diameter than the 
> ground
>  > rod, so that when it is splipped carefully over the  ground rod, it will 
> be in
>  > contact all around.
>  > 4. Heat the rod just below the strip with a propane torch until the rod 
> and
>  > strip come up to soldering temperature, then add solder, which will flow 
> in very
>  > nicely by capilary action.
>  >
>  > Regards to all - Ken K6HPX

     Ken is an excellent engineer and clever designer but is describing a 
ground connection suitable for RF antenna purposes only. Compression or 
exothermic connections are the *only* ones allowed for electrical and 
lightning protection systems per the National Electrical Code. Heat from a 
lightning strike will obviously melt the solder and render the connection 
semi-useful.

Cheers,  Steve   K7LXC

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