[Lowfer] Ground Bus Idea

[WE0H]

Don't use acid core flux on wiring. It can't be cleaned out of the wire
strands once it wicks into them. Just use rosin as it doesn't have to be
cleaned and isn't a factor in weather extremes nor to the RF at these low
frequencies. Acid flux will only lead to corrosion in the future and all
your good work is wasted.

Mike>WE0H


-----Original Message-----
From: lowfer-admin@mailman.qth.net [mailto:lowfer-admin@mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Peter Barick
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2003 10:38 AM
To: lowfer@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Lowfer] Ground Bus Idea


I've been working to improve the my ground radials and Mike's idea of a
center bus collector gave me pause. Last year I used a screw-type bus
from an electrical cabinet. Now I want to change that.

Using Mike's thought of a CU pipe and radial wire soldered to it I came
up with a variant. Take a short piece of, say, 3/4 In by 18 In pipe and
saw cut a pair of slits across the face of it, enough to produce a 3/8
gap by 3/8 In long, the center part of which is pushed below the surface
forming a depression. This is filled with radial wire, say 4 of them,
and soldered, as one would solder CU pipe w/ a torch.

Another thought on the radial wire. If one wants 30 foot radials, cut
the wire 60 feet and strip at the center. Four such wires yields 8
radials. This process is repeated on the pipe. I would caution against
putting too many radials per pipe, instead construct a few groups of
them and bond together at a near central point.

This should also be handy when pulling up stakes in the spring, as I
do, and bundling it away. The other feature it to add 90 Deg ends with
other short CU piping and plug this into the earth for securing and
"grounding" the radials.

Also any problems seen using ACID core solder on this heavy work? It's
great as a flux.

Peter
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