[TowerTalk] Crimped Electrical Connections

[KD7JYK DM09]

> combination of crimping, followed by solder.  In the future, that advice
> will be used on all outdoor crimped lugs at my station.

I only have one installation along these lines, outside in the elements, 
winds to just under 70 MPH yearly, and temps from -10F to +120F across 
the seasons.

My "wire" antenna is 1/4" stainless steel cable, crimped into copper 
lugs, then soldered with silver solder, and the connection sealed in 3:1 
thick wall shrink tube with adhesive the runs from the lug down 5"-6" on 
the cable.

My connections point downward, but I also later realized that water can 
wick into the cable, so should I need to re-do the connections in the 
future, I'll back-fill the cable surrounded by the shrink tube with 
acrylic, nothing fancy, just dribble in superglue until it's full.

I did this job in August of 2013, and have not noted any issues with 
daily operation.

Pics upon request.

Kurt