[Towertalk] silver solder ok for Ground wire to rod ?

[Tom Rauch]

> A direct or close lightning strike can VAPORIZE solder.
> 
> The options are Cadweld or robust mechanical clamping. The latter must
> be periodically inspected. 
> 
> The solder is useless and can defeat a copper-to-copper clamping. The
> problem is not the conductivity of the solder, it is the melting
> point.



I've never seen a connection unsolder, even with pure lead-tin solder 
but I suppose if nearly all of a big hit passed through a lead-tine 
solder joint it could fail. I doubt it would happen in only one hit, 
I suspect time and weather deterioration are the real problems.

Silver solder is actually pretty good, it has a very high melting 
temperature (with higher % silver contents) and has good mechanical 
strength even when exposed to the elements for a long time.

Personally, I would never worry about a silver solder connection.


73, Tom W8JI
W8JI@contesting.com