[TowerTalk] Re: TEK screws was:Silver Solder

[Pete Smith]

At 11:57 AM 1/27/2000 EST, K7LXC@aol.com wrote:
...

>      If I want redundant mechanical security for an aluminum tubing antenna 
>joint, I use a self-tapping TEK screw to further join them. It adds 
>additional mechanical AND electrical coupling. This is a simpler, cheaper
and 
>more benign technique than sweating a solder joint on aluminum tubing. I 
>wouldn't trust the average ham to get an aluminum solder connection right. A 
>TEK screw, OTOH, is a slam-dunk for anyone. (Yes, this is a stress riser as 
>well but a pretty small one. If you're going to use it on an element, use a 
>small TEK screw <smaller hole - less stress> or put the screw on the bottom 
>of the element where the stresses are less.)

Just one cautionary note, not for Steve but for those less experienced --
TEK screws require careful attention to the size of the hole.  I used some
to re-attach the reflector on my C-3 to the boom, and thought the holes
from the big pop rivets I was replacing would do, since the screws
tightened down nicely.  In about a month, however, the screws worked loose
and my reflector wound up in the top of a tree.

For elements, wouldn't a pop rivet achieve essentially the same mechanical
and electrical results, particularly if noaloxed before pulling?

73,  Pete N4ZR

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