[TowerTalk] Connecting Flat Copper to 5/8" Ground Rod

[Mark Robinson]

I did the same thing. I used Harris Stay Silv 15. It was a lot cheaper then


http://georgiacopper.com/BrazingRod.html

Since this is mainly molten copper, it won't flow very much when the heat is 
removed and can be built up easily unlike lead solder


Mark N1UK





----- Original Message ----- 
From: <n0tt1 at juno.com>
To: <TowerTalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, 14 October, 2013 11:30 AM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Connecting Flat Copper to 5/8" Ground Rod


> IIRC, W8JI punches a hole on the strap, slips it over a
> ground rod, then hard-solders the connection.  It "looks"
> like he might shape the strap to help hold a pool of solder
> until it hardens.
>
> Note that hard solder is used, NOT the "soft"
> solder we all use for electronic connections or antenna work.
> It takes much higher heat to melt the hard solder.
>
> He has a photo and info on his web site:  www.w8ji.com
>
> 73,
> Charlie, N0TT
>
> On Mon, 14 Oct 2013 00:53:49 -0000 <john at kk9a.com> writes:
>> I have used a number of the Polyphaser and DX Engineering ground
>> clamps.
>> Unfortunately they are designed for 0.625" ground rods which seems
>> to be
>> impossible to find.  Most 5/8 ground rods typically measure 0.562 so
>> to use
>> these clamps you need to make a shim. You also need to notch the 2"
>> wide
>> strap to clear the bolts.
>>
>> John KK9A
>>
>> To:TowerTalk <TowerTalk at contesting.com>
>> Subject:[TowerTalk] Connecting Flat Copper to 5/8" Ground Rod
>> From:Ray Benny <rayn6vr at cableone.net>
>> Date:Sun, 13 Oct 2013 14:47:23 -0700
>>
>> Has anyone come up with a way to connect flat copper straps to
>> ground rods?
>> DXXE sells copper clamps w/ hardware, but at $35 a pop, I hoping
>> that there
>> is a more reasonable way to get the job done.
>>
>> My copper strap is 2" wide, by 6ft, and about 18 ga, but not sure.
>>
>> Tnx,
>>
>> Ray,
>> N6VR
>>