On Sun, 21 Nov 2004 23:43:39 +0000, "Ian White, G3SEK"
wrote:

Jim Keller wrote:

Question is, what have others done to prevent antenna connections, such
as ground radials from corrosion at their points of contact?

With copper wires soldered to a copper pipe busbar, I used several coats
of clear polyurethane spray lacquer. Five years later, it looks like
new.

Anything that will keep the water out of the joint between the two
different metals will do fine. The advantage of clear lacquer is that
you can see what condition it's in without disturbing anything.


I live about 5 miles from the Ocean and the vertical is located on a
slope that gets watered at least once a week.

I live in England. The whole country gets watered, several times a week.

Hi Jim,

The major corrosion problems occur when you mate dissimilar metals.
Copper to aluminum is probably the worst in my experience. Here in the
states, we mixed copper and aluminum wiring in houses for a while in
the 60's and 70's, before AL wire was completely outlawed. There were
two fixes developed to control the corrosion. One was a special alloy
for all fittings, screws, clamps, etc. that might came in contact with
either or both metals. I still see electrical hardware marked CU/AL to
indicate it is made from that alloy. Then a paste was developed that
would prevent the oxidation from occuring. All points where both
metals came together were coated with it, before and after assembly.

There are other combinations, some of which have galvanic properties.
There are anti-seize and other pastes to deal with some of those.
Sometimes, all you need is a good silicon based lube, liberally
applied and wrapped with shrink wrap and electrical tape to keep the
rain out.

Bob McConnell
N2SPP