[TowerTalk] How close to salt water is close enough?

[Mickey Baker]

Look at my QTH location if you wish. My antennas are all 10-20m from salt water, humidity is high and the temperatures are warm.

Except for critical structural pieces, all connecting hardware is stainless steel. You're correct in that aluminum will oxidize quickly, but structural integrity typically lasts many years.

Be sure that you use good hardware - nuts, bolts, hose clamps, periodically liberally spray with a corrosion preventer like Corrosion-X, T-50 or similar, use an anti-galling compound on all threads and you'll see about 80% of the service life you see inland.

There's a cost for living on the water with a beautiful view and great grounding... But it isn't crazy expensive in terms of antenna life.

Mickey

On May 17, 2013, at 11:17 AM, "Mike & Coreen Smith VE9AA" <ve9aa at nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:

> 
> 
> Wife and I are looking at waterfront properties in VE1/9/VY2/VO1/2.  Ideally
> I would like to locate my antennas inland (in the trees)
> 
> a little ways to (hopefully?) minimize(??) salt water corrosion and/or
> 'potential' problems from neighbours.
> 
> 
> 
> If I was to locate a yagi up 40' of tower, (or say a Butternut vertical 10'
> agl) or even a 6m yagi on a short tower inland does it matter?
> 
> 
> 
> Let's say the rocky land itself was 20' ASL and 400-500' away from shore, is
> there any benefit seen in being "close" to salt water or is all the benefit
> (whatever that may be) seen only if the salt water is nearly underneath the
> antenna?
> 
> 
> 
> Currently, I work all bands from 160m thru 6m.
> 
> 
> 
> Comments on corrosion prevention appreciated also.  I've always lived inland
> and my only experience with salt water was 3 weeks in 1996 as CY0AA, in
> which the salt air corroded all of our aluminum antennas making them look
> very old.
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks much, 
> 
> 
> 
> Mike VE9AA
> 
> 
> 
> Mike, Coreen & Corey
> 
> Keswick Ridge, NB
> 
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