[TowerTalk] Anti Oxidant Cream

[K7LXC@aol.com]

In a message dated 5/5/2005 2:52:07 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
towertalk-request at contesting.com writes:
From: "KC1DI" <elbc2 at pivot.net>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Anti Oxidant Cream
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>, "Paul Baldock" <pbaldock at verizon.net>
Message-ID: <427A936C.000001.04004 at ELBC-CRZ2M9NOAL>
Content-Type: Text/Plain;  charset="iso-8859-1"



-------Original Message-------

From: Paul Baldock
Date: 05/05/05 16:55:27
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Anti Oxidant Cream

> What are your recommendations on type of Anti Oxidant Cream to use for
antenna assembly?

Should it have suspended copper particles or not? Different antenna
manufactures have different opinions.

Is the typical stuff sold in the hardware store for Electrical Al/Cu
connections OK?

Thanks

Paul

> Hi Paul,

>  I've had good luck with the Electrical stuff, think the brand I useds was
no-ox.  or something to that effect.
As for copper in the suspension don't think it's a good idea with Al.  They
interact that is the reason you should never connect copper to Al in house
wiring.

    Actually the particles in suspension are what allows this stuff to work.  
There are two parts to an antioxidant - metal particles and a suspension 
vehicle. The particles are not exposed to oxygen - hence no oxidation - and their 
job is to penetrate the thin oxidized layer on the outside of aluminum and/or 
copper materials and create continuity between them. The joint is under 
compression which makes it work. If you were to stick a VOM in some of the stuff and 
measure for continuity, there wouldn't be any.

    Everyone has a little different recipe - just check the label for the 
appropriate materials, usually copper, aluminum, or both - and you'll be good to 
go. You were probably thinking of NoAlOx - no aluminum oxide - which lots of 
stores carry.

Cheers,
Steve     K7LXC
TOWER TECH -
Professional tower services for commercial and amateur
Cell: 206-890-4188