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Old August 25th 06, 03:23 PM posted to rec.radio.amateur.antenna
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Default Solder to Aluminum?

My FM antenna had the wire attachment posts ripped out by the wind.
I'm wondering if I can solder to the aluminum? Then I'd epoxy over it.
I'd just try it, but I'm afraid it might pop in my face or something.


Ordinary solder, no, but there are solders specifically made for aluminum.


I suspect safety guru's would say one should always wear (safety)
glasses when soldering!

It takes practice, but if you'll "puddle" some silver polish on
a spot you want to solder, rub it a bit to clean the oxide off
the aluminum, and then solder right through the puddle with a
hot iron (the stuff will bubble and sizzle, so do wear glasses!),
one CAN solder to aluminum with standard solder and without buying
some expensive stuff for a onesies/twosies job.

I don't remember how strong the solder joint was nor did I test
how long such a joint might last, but it DID solder and stick!

--Myron A. Calhoun.
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Old August 26th 06, 02:45 AM posted to rec.radio.amateur.antenna
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Default Don't Solder to Aluminum

Greetings,
A soldered joint to aluminium won't last. For a good
electrical connection to aluminium get some jointing compound
suitable for ensuring an electrical contact between dissimilar
metals without corrosion. One has to use the same stuff for
aluminium to aluminium connections as well or the aluminium will
oxidise at the joint. Required for long (HF) yagi elements.
Put the jointing compound on the cleaned aluminium and on
the wire then fasten them together; by clamp, screw whatever.
Some would tape up the joint so the jointing compound doesn't
blow or wash away.
There's an article in Radcom July 2005, p75 Technical topics, on
working with aluminium.
I've assisted engineers/technicians constructing/repairing HF
yagi's on which every single aluminium to anything connection
that has to conduct has the compound put on. Note that copper
corrodes aluminium and that tightly clamping aluminum is
useless at stopping oxidation in the joint. Take the joint
apart later and everything will be wet ...
Good luck.

, ZL2TTS
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