[TowerTalk] Fwd: broken balun wires

[hanslg at aol.com]

 Hi Ken,

Crimp is the the answer. You can make it ever better by adding some shrink tube over the wire next to the crimp connector. You will reduce the stress on the wire even more that way. May be a little tricky to do that way up in a tower though. 

The problem is that a wire gets stiff when it is soldered (and you also get it harder due to tin alloying with copper resulting in a harder bronze). If you place some plastic around the wire next to the lug you reduce the movements and following break.

73 de hans - N2JFS

 


 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Eigsti <diverken at chaffee.net>
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Sent: Thu, Jan 14, 2010 6:02 pm
Subject: [TowerTalk] broken balun wires


Here is my problem.
I have a Force 12 C36XN and I use a Force 12 balun with the 2 wires
(3.5"each ) that exit one end of the balun and connect to the antenna. (40
meter portion)

Twice in less than a year, the wire has broken where I have it soldered to a
spade lug that connects to the terminal on the antenna.
Obviously the vibration is breaking the wire at the solder joint on the lug.

What is the best method to prevent this? Crimping the wire on the lug? No
solder?  Luckily I can reach the balun/connections by leaning out from the
tower.

Any thoughts?

Thanks
Ken W0LSD
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