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Date: | Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:28:02 -0400 |
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John,
That copper clad steel can be a royal pain to solder. It's often used in
twin lead to add strength. The real heavy stuff is sold as antenna wire in
14, 12, and 10 gauge. one brand name is Copperweld. In any case, it's a
very thin coating of sometimes poor quality copper.
Trying to clean up the end before soldering with steel wool or sandpaper
only makes things worse in a lot of cases. One trick is to clean it with
chemical or acid. I don't recall the preferred brand name, but there are
copper/brass cleaners you may have around the house. Or a stronger acid
like used to clean or etch concrete, or some acid used by plumbers.
Be careful, wear eye protection, put the end of the wire in the chemical or
acid used and allow to work for a time. Rinse with water and allow to dry.
Solder should stick.
73, Steve KW3A
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Miller" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 11:34 AM
Subject: Re: antenna
> I'm told it's because the wire used is copper coated steel wire. If that's
> correct or not, I'm not sure, I'll have to check next time it's down since
> I
> do know my metal, but that's possible I suppose.
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