[R-390] Underground connection sealant/insulation

[Dan Merz]

Ken,  I wondered about the acid problem;  the online caveat seem to relate
to applications where an item was sealed up before the acid could dissipate
but evolved into a general statement not to use the acid type on any
electronics, maybe not a justified conclusion as you state.  My ground is
not being used for transmitting,  the antenna is to be an end-connected wire
not too high off the roof.  The hog wire I bought is one level away from
chicken wire,  14 gage.  I figured if I buried it where I probably would
never be able to get to it,  I should have a little more wire thickness for
connection using some small galvanized nut/bolt/angle iron connectors I
found for electric fence applications in the local ranch and home store.
How did you connect to the chicken wire?  Dan. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Transmaster [mailto:22hornet at gmail.com] 
Sent: Saturday, December 09, 2006 10:32 AM
To: Dan Merz
Cc: r-390 at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [R-390] Underground connection sealant/insulation

You really do not have to worry about the silicone sealant that has the acid
component the acid dissipate quickly and is gone by the time silicone
finishes curing.  Are you putting in a ground plane for your antenna?  If so
galvanised chicken wire is fantastic, and cheap. bury it a couple of inches
below the grown and forget about it.

                                                    Ken de W7ITC


On 12/9/06, Dan Merz <mdmerz at verizon.net> wrote:
> Hi,  I'm now dealing with putting in some ground points at various 
> locations for my 390 receiving antenna system and am looking at using 
> some type of sealant/insulation over a few connections that will be in 
> the dirt or within the concrete of the footings.  I want to cover the 
> connectors with something that will for the most part prolong the 
> connections,  which are mechanical, clamped connections between copper
wire and iron rebar/galvanized hog wire.
> I can't get these connections above grade which would make the 
> connection more reliable.  I'm trying to bury the grounding rather 
> than driving a rod into the ground.  I picked up some GE Silcone II
"Blacktop and Roof, black"
> stuff in a caulking container at the local hardware and read a little 
> about RTV/silicone materials online and decided the stuff I got was 
> the more desirable alcolol curing type and not the not-for-electronic 
> use  acetic acid curing,  vinegary smelling type.  It there a hardware 
> variety type that might be better than this or something that is 
> commonly used for such connections?  My first idea was to find some 
> asphalt base material since I know asphalt has great longevity and 
> there was one caulking material that was asphalt base but I opted for 
> the Silicone II figuring it might cure faster and endure as well.  Any
thoughts appreciated,  Dan.
>
>
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--
Kenneth A. Crips, W7ITC Home of the Chew Crew,  Red Headed Irish Terrier
House Ninjas, Beezie, Chic', and Cowboy 10th degree black belts in Mouch
Fue, Bed Fue, and Con Artist Fue.