Jim, I'm sure you'll get plenty of replies to this question, and they will
probably all start with "don't solder grounds". :-) If there's enough left
to work with (a couple of inches, at least) I'd cut it off clean, find some
thick flat copper bar stock (maybe 3/16" or 1/4" thick and at least an inch
wide), cut two matching pieces, and make a "sandwich" with the copper strap
as the meat. Then I'd bolt the sandwich together with copper bolts and
hardware (3 bolts should do it) if I could find copper hardware, stainless
steel if I couldn't. The important thing will be to restore the mechanical
surface area to the joint, and use only metallurgically compatible or non
corroding hardware for the securing bolts/hardware. I would not advise
soldering in any form for a ground strap. A lightning hit might blow it
open, and also corrosion will go to work on it over time.
73, Jerry W5KP
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Smith" <jimsmith@home.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2001 1:06 AM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Shredded Ground
>
> I'm in the process of building a shack in the basement. I have a
> 3" wide strip of copper going from the shack right through the
> basement wall. It sticks out of the wall about 1 ft above grade.
> Until I get the ground rod in the strip has been lying on the
> sidewalk, rather like a copper version of Mick Jagger's tongue
> sticking out the wall and lying there. Well, yesterday, the jerk
> who cut our grass ran his lawnmower over it and shredded it. As
> the inside wall is now finished, it would be a lot of work to
> remove and replace the Cu strip.
>
> My questions.
>
> 1. Can I just solder a new piece on? Lightning isn't an issue in
> the Vancouver area but the joint may be underground.
>
> 2. If ordinary solder is questionable, how about silver solder?
>
> 3. Other suggestions?
>
> TIA for your help.
>
> 73 de Jim Smith VE7F0
>
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