[TowerTalk] Soldering Weathered Connections

n4kg@juno.com n4kg@juno.com
Sun, 24 Oct 1999 22:49:58 -0600


Anyone have a good technique for soldering new wires
to old weathered connections?  

I have two applications in mind which have not gone as
well as I would like.

First, reconnecting stranded copper ladderline wires to
my high 80M dipole which is supported at the ends by
two 130 ft towers.  Typically my ladderline breaks 
after one to two years service and it is difficult getting
good clean solder joints to the old stranded copperweld
antenna wire.

Second, when adding radials to a 1/4 inch diameter
copper tube ring (previously tinned) I found it difficult to
reflow the old solder and again got only spotty solder
lump connections.  I have used both direct application
of a propane torch flame and a soldering tip on the 
propane torch.  Neither technique was satisfactory.

de Tom  N4KG




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