[TowerTalk] cadweld v. silver solder

[Jim Jarvis]

AM Broadcast antenna installations routinely use silver solder.

Can't say there's never been a problem, but I haven't seen one
reported.

I can say that I've observed many tens of direct tower strikes,
with zero ground system failures due to the strike current.

And, I've replaced aged ground systems without ever noticing a
problem with the silver solder.

The fact that you have to use acetylene to get the stuff hot
enough may tell you something....there is silver-bearing solder
which has a low melting point.  That's NOT what you want.  If I
recall correctly, the stuff we've used melts @ 800F.  You can't
get there with propane.

Having said that, I don't own an acetylene torch (you can rent 'em),
and as a result, have used clamps and gentle radii in my home ground
systems.
But I haven't put in a 10x10 ground screen & 120 radials, either.

n2ea/jim