Re: [IRCA] Antenna Soldering, revisited

["Chuck Hutton" <charlesh3@xxxxxxx>]

I grab the wire on both sides of the solder joint and tie it into a knot.
This is how I fix the many joints in my Beverage wires, and they've never
broken at the knot point or solder joint.

As for the soldering, I've always used cigarette lighters or mini-torches a
la the Radio Shack offering. The lighters work just fine for me and live in
my DXpedition toolbox.

Chuck

-----Original Message-----
From: irca-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:irca-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Guy Atkins
Sent: Monday, June 25, 2007 9:45 PM
To: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [IRCA] Antenna Soldering, revisited

Hi Patrick,

One problem with solder joints on antennas is the junction between the
stiff, soldered portion and the non-soldered wire. I have had these
junctions crack and break due to flexing in the wind. The solder joint was
unaffected, but the antenna broke right at one end or the other of the
joint. I've even had it happen inside of adhesive-filled heat shrink over
the joint. 

I *do* prefer soldering over a mechanical connection; it just bugs me to
think that I might lose a weak signal due to a corroding mechanical joint. 

Have you ever experienced this type of failure I describe in your antennas?

Guy Atkins
Puyallup, WA



------------------------------

Message: 8
Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2007 20:28:47 -0700
From: mwdxer@xxxxxxxxx (Patrick Martin)
Subject: Re: [IRCA] Antenna Soldering, revisited
To: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Mailing list for the International Radio
	Club of	America)
Message-ID: <21334-468087EF-3058@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: Text/Plain; Charset=US-ASCII

Charles,

Will a Western Union splice last as long as a soldered one.? I always
fiqured soldering a splice and then covering it with good electrical plastic
tape was the best way to go. With the wet and windy weather I don't want to
end up with a bad splice in the storms. We have wind gusts to 120 MPH out
here at times. With a soldered splice, there is no way that will work loose
in time. At least I have not had any trouble with them as long as I get the
wire hot enough for a good splice. That has been the problem with the little
butane soldering pencils in the Winter. It is hard to get them hot enough in
45 degree weather and the wind blowing. Now the 100 watt solder gun, no
problem at all. 
   As far as the slack in the wire, I have some on this end and I can easily
pull it through to the end if need be. I just have the wire going through
loops all the way. It is totally loose, so it is easy enough to pull back
and get the slack. If I run short of wire, I can always add some more on
this end.  That is easy. I do have a number of good splices in it anyway. 

73,

Patrick 

Patrick Martin
KAVT Reception Manager


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