My 2 pennies...
regarding the "durability" of staples in
the wild; I'm an avid metal detectorist
using a detector that costs as much as a
new K3s. Iron has a particular
characteristic when detected as does other
metals like silver, copper & gold.
I usually ignore iron/steel readings on
the screen & the audible tones
accompanying it, just too many old nails
in the ground and they are everywhere.
However... an old bit of iron with a bend
in it can also register with the same
values as silver so I have to dig when I
find that.
You have no idea how many times I have dug
14" down only to find a 1/2" bit of wire
the thickness of a staple that has been
sitting for easily 100 years in acidic New
England soil. We think of things degrading
quickly but they do not. Thin bits of iron
will be around for a very long time.
As a side thing, the aluminum pull tabs
from the 60's ring up much like 14K gold.
Because I find hundreds of them I decided
to make one of the old "love chains" from
these that we used hang from the rear view
mirror back in the 60's. Those pull tabs
are in the same condition today as 40
years ago. Metals last in the ground a
very long time.
73,
Gary
KA1J
> You should never use steel staples in the ground. Think for a minute.
> They are sharp, rusty objects that stay a long time. Imagine a
> barefoot child playing in the area (after you are SK possibly).
> Imagine a lawn mower grabs a piece of radial wire and jerks it out of
> the ground with wire staples attached.
>
> All you need to do is buy or make wooden dowels, drill a hole and
> string them along the radial and pound down in. Only need to be 4
> inches long. Simple, cheap, safe.
>
>
> Rick K2XT
>
> ________________________________
> From: Topband <topband-bounces@contesting.com> on behalf of
> cqtestk4xs--- via Topband <topband@contesting.com> Sent: Wednesday,
> June 6, 2018 8:54:59 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re:
> Topband: Biodegradable staples
>
> I recently laid down about 6000 staples. After several months most of
> them are starting to really get crusty rust with all the rain we get
> at this QTH. They'll be pretty much gone in a couple of years...no
> need to worry about biodegradable out here, or in most wet areas.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: N2TK, Tony <tony.kaz@verizon.net>
> To: topband <topband@contesting.com>
> Sent: Wed, Jun 6, 2018 7:10 pm
> Subject: Topband: Biodegradable staples
>
> Somewhere recently someone had mentioned somewhere about
> biodegradable staples for radials. Getting ready to cut the grass real
> close and start adding radials. I like the idea of the biodegradable
> parts over the steel staples I have.
>
> Tnx
>
> N2TK, Tony
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