[TowerTalk] inductance of tubing vs bar or strip

[john at kk9a.com]

My tower has had a number of direct lightning strikes and I have never seen 
a soldered connection fail.  I am assuming that Pete is referring to using 
copper water pipe or refrigeration tubing as a ground conductor for his 
shack and I find it hard to believe that a strike would raise the pipe 
temperature to 400 degrees or so and melt the solder from the fittings.

John KK9A



Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] inductance of tubing vs bar or strip
From: "Dick Green WC1M"
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:31:11

I don't know about the inductance, Pete, but my understanding is that
soldered connections are not a good idea -- a lightning surge can melt the
joints. I think you would need to use a mechanical clamp or something like
Cadweld.

73, Dick WC1M


To: TowerTalk <towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] inductance of tubing vs bar or strip
From: Pete Smith N4ZR
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:16:36

Can anyone suggest where I can find a calculator for the inductance per
foot of copper tubing compared to the same length of copper bar or
strip?  I'm looking to understand the potential utility of using
soldered copper tubing for a ground bus, as compared to copper strip/strap.