[TowerTalk] Bentonite ?

[Richard Hill]

OK, this is coming from a relatively new ham who knows just enough to cause
trouble...

Here is a site that has a bit of geologic history for bentonite:
http://www.bentofix.com/naue/abe/index.html
Another site with a bit of information on Thixotropy (a solid becoming fluid
when agitated):
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/2005-01/1105051717.Es.r.html

Knowing just enough to be dangerous...bentonite is a colloidal clay that is
composed of thin plates that can separate when hydrated.  The plates are
charged, negatively charged on the surface, positively charged on the
edges..  They can be very slippery, and can conduct along their charged
surfaces and via solutes trapped between the plates.

I never thought about the radio/electrical nature of the charged plates.
See what ham radio does to you?  <Grin>.  A whole new world just opened up.

My limited experience with bentonite and montmorillonite clays is with
ground water systems, wetlands, soils, and monitoring wells.

NU6T
Rich

Motherlode DX and Contest Club.
Number One in CQP
www.mldxcc.com

CU in the California QSO Party (CQP)
www.cqp.org,  Oct 7-8 2006


-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of David Robbins
K1TTT
Sent: Thursday, June 08, 2006 3:59 PM
To: TowerTalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Bentonite ?


Bentonite is used to improve ground systems.  Utilities have used it for
years in areas where its hard to get good grounds.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=bentonite+ground+system+improvement



David Robbins K1TTT
e-mail: mailto:k1ttt at arrl.net
web: http://www.k1ttt.net
AR-Cluster node: 145.69MHz or telnet://dxc.k1ttt.net


> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:towertalk-
> bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Bill Aycock
> Sent: Thursday, June 08, 2006 22:14
> To: TowerTalk at contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Bentonite ?
>
> TTers
> I have seen several references lately to the use of the Mineral Clay
> "Bentonite" used in tower and antenna work. I have a couple bags of it,
> and
> have used it as a suspension agent in Ceramic glazes, and as a
> Viscosity  and shrinkage control in clay bodies. I have seen  it used as
> drilling "Mud" in oilwell drilling, as liner conditioner in ponds, and as
> a
> sealer to correct leaking basements.
> Almost all these applications derive from the simple fact that , like most
> clay, it swells when wet; it's particular feature is that it is EXCELLENT
> at doing it. (ie, it swells a LOT)
> None of what I have experienced or read tells me of anything else inherent
> in its properties that applies to Antennas, and I am very curious.
> Does anyone have any references they can pass on?
> Thanks-Bill-W4BSG
>
> Bill Aycock - W4BSG
> Woodville, Alabama
>
>
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