use of wire nuts in antenna construction
 

Hi. I was thinking about building a 2m five-element quad using the format
of KD6GLF (see QST, Jan. 1995) and was wondering about alternative ways to
connect the AWG #12 wire to itself on the directors, driven element,
and reflectors other than soldering.

I was wondering if any property of the antenna would be changed by using
wire nuts instead of soldering the wire together. Has anyone had any
experience using wire nuts (on twisted wire) in antenna building?

Thanks for your help,
-john, W4PAH

On Fri, 4 Jun 2004 13:16:15 -0400, John Shadle
wrote:
Has anyone had any
experience using wire nuts (on twisted wire) in antenna building?

Hi John,

As a splice that is not under tension, should work fine. However, it
does offer the prospect of having to tune slightly differently because
of minimal addition of stray capacitance and inductance - depends on
the size of the nut and the pig-tail it creates. Chances are you
probably would notice the difference because there are so many other
more compelling factors to pay attention to.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

for a weekend like field day it is fine. go much longer and corrosion sets
in and can cause all sorts of possible problems. also remember that for a
quad those connections may need mechanical strength which you don't get with
wire nuts. either solder them or use the brass (or are they bronze?) split
bolt clamps.

"John Shadle" wrote in message
...
Hi. I was thinking about building a 2m five-element quad using the format
of KD6GLF (see QST, Jan. 1995) and was wondering about alternative ways to
connect the AWG #12 wire to itself on the directors, driven element,
and reflectors other than soldering.

I was wondering if any property of the antenna would be changed by using
wire nuts instead of soldering the wire together. Has anyone had any
experience using wire nuts (on twisted wire) in antenna building?

Thanks for your help,
-john, W4PAH

"John Shadle" wrote in message
...
Hi. I was thinking about building a 2m five-element quad using the format
of KD6GLF (see QST, Jan. 1995) and was wondering about alternative ways to
connect the AWG #12 wire to itself on the directors, driven element,
and reflectors other than soldering.

I was wondering if any property of the antenna would be changed by using
wire nuts instead of soldering the wire together. Has anyone had any
experience using wire nuts (on twisted wire) in antenna building?

Thanks for your help,
-john, W4PAH


John,
I haven't used wire nuts, but I have used 1/8 inch cable clamps. I twist the
wires together end to end (Western Union Splice?) and mash the cable clamp
over that. I was concerned about corrosion, but the splices are still good
after 6 years. Possibly the pressure keeps the contact surfaces clean.

Tam/WB2TT

As a splice that is not under tension, should work fine. However, it
does offer the prospect of having to tune slightly differently because
of minimal addition of stray capacitance and inductance - depends on
the size of the nut and the pig-tail it creates. Chances are you
probably would notice the difference because there are so many other
more compelling factors to pay attention to.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC


Uh, huh..

BUm