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Electrical connection to copper pipe antenna

My name is Ken Elsberry and I am an amateur radio operator, callsign WD4ERM. I am building a vertical antenna for a 10.100 MHz and am using copper pipe as the driven element. My question is, to keep the electrical connection of the feedline to the copper pipe corrosion free for as long as possible, should I use hardware of stainless steel, brass, or zinc plated. I know that when different metals are joined, oxidation begins.

Ken Elsberry
Hobbyist - Quitman, Georgia, USA
November 16, 2010

Hi, Ken. Don't use zinc plated, it's not appropriate for electrical connections. I'd probably use brass, but make up the connection with conductive grease.

Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
November 16, 2010

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