[TowerTalk] Re: TEK screws was:Silver Solder

[Eric Gustafson]

Hi Pete,

This is probably why MIL-HDBK-419's section on electrical bonding
specifically recommends against any self tapping screws for any
critical bonding connection anywhere in the system.  To be fair,
they aren't real excited about rivets either.  But they don't
recommend against usng them.  They just caution about the
necessity to be careful to do it properly.  I think the rivets
are probably more reliable mechanically than the self tapping
screws.  And the electrical connection at the element joint isn't
really dependent on the fastener anyhow.

73, Eric  N7CL

>Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2000 12:29:19 -0500
>From: Pete Smith <n4zr@contesting.com>

Snip...

>
>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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