On 5/31/2020 8:56 PM, Chuck Hutton wrote: > So what is the easy reliable cheap method to get the job done?
Hi Chuck I had luck with soldering copper wire to aluminum pipe using nothing more than: 1) local variety of VEGETABLE oil - you only need a few drops - used what I found in the kitchen 2) cheap fixed temperature soldering iron - mine was 40W - already head it in my junk box 3) sand paper - I used what I hand on hand - mine was "120" grit - already had it in my junk box 4) conventional resin core solder 60/40 - already had it in my junk box The copper wire jumpers that I have soldered to an aluminum pipe (that was part of RX loop experiments - LZ1AQ variety of loops) a year and a half ago, as inspected today looks perfectly "healthy" with no signs of corrosion etc. so I assume the method has worked. Before attempting to solder I watched several YouTube videos to see how others done it. In the process, I have applied a couple of drops on top of the aluminum surface and then rubbed it slightly with the sand paper. The surface was left covered in oil. I have then separately pre-soldered the copper wire (multi-strand wire in my case) using the 60/40 solder having it sub-merged in a couple of drops of oil. Then placed the pre-soldered wire to the aluminum surface that was previously cleaned and still covered in oil. Applied another drop of oil. Placed the soldering iron on the join, and pretty much instantaneously removed it. This method has worked for me; I tried this on different aluminum surfaces and learned that in my case it was all about careful cleaning sub-merged in oil, and applying the right level of heat for the right duration of time. Good luck! Tomas VK2CCC _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
