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[N4SRN]

I built a 8040 loaded coil NVIS antenna but must have botched a measure/cut and ran a few feet short on the lower leg (between the coil and base) of the 80m dipole’s 14g PVC-insulated stranded copper wire lengths to tune to my desired frequency. My temporary fix was to splice a few feet on by twisting bared wire and using a clamp.

I was able to tune to my desired frequency but wonder if I should just replace the wire segments. That they look embarrassing is not a technical reason to do so but is there technically a deficiency with such spliced wires? Having a double-thickness section and SS clamp sure isn’t the same a just a segment of wire, so there must be some difference. But will it adversely impact performance?

Bret/N4SRN

[VE7KNL]

I spliced an 40m loop made from #8 copper clad wire.  No problems.  I would have soldered and shrink wrapped instead of a clamp, but whatever works.  If it works, it's good I'd say.

[K1KIM]

As above. As long as the integrity of the connection is good, there is no issue. Without solder you might get some corrosion over time which will degrade the connection.

[WB6BYU]

No, it shouldn't make any difference in performance.

Assuming, of course, that you make a good joint so
the connection doesn't corrode over time.

The primary issue is mechanical.  I use light stranded,
insulated hookup wire, and the insulation actually
provides a significant amount of the strength.  If I
just twist the stripped wires together, that makes the
antenna much weaker.  Instead, I tie the insulated
part of the wires in a knot to take the pull on the
wire, with long enough ends that I can strip them
and twist them together.  (Soldering the joint is
best, of course, but sometimes that isn't practical
in the field.)


Note that solder can weaken stranded wire if there
is any flexing.  It wicks up the wire, and the result
is that different strands flex at different points.
That tends to stress the strands one at a time,
leading to failure much quicker then when the
flexing is spread out over all the strands together.

The method of securing the wires together, then
just soldering the ends that aren't under tension,
avoids that problem.  Otherwise, make a longer
splice and just solder the center of it will often
make a longer-lasting splice.

[W1VT]

I've used a Mapp torch to silver braze antenna wire splices.  They still look good after being out in the weather.  15% silver brazing rod typically used by plumbers.
The new Mapp you can buy at hardware stores today.

[N4SRN]

I can solder and weatherproof the splices as advised. The antenna is not a permanent installation so would not be exposed often. But easy enough to do.

Thanks!

[WB6BYU]

Some of my temporary antennas stay up longer than
my permanent ones...

A good twisted joint in copper wire probably will get
you through a summer if it isn't too wet, and depending
on the wire material.  Some of mine have been out for
a couple years before I got around to soldering them.
And a lot of my antennas never get to that point.

Aluminum wire, however, needs more care, as it can
corrode more quickly, and aluminum oxide is an insulator.

[N2SR]

Some of my temporary antennas stay up longer than
my permanent ones...

A few of my temporary antennas have become semi-permanent until I can get to improving them. 

I've had some wire antennas break.  To repair them, I place an insulator at the break point, wrap each wire end through each eye of the insulator, and leave a few inches free.  Then I splice/solder.  That takes the strain off the splice. 

[WA3SKN]

Solder the connections to keep oxides from causing issues in the long term.  I would not bother insulating the splice.

-Mike.

[W9WQA]

tie a knot and use wire nut.  had em up fo years...

[VE3PP]

I've spliced without soldering many times during the Ontario CA winter months because a soldering gun isn't getting the job done outside!

I twist the wires together as solid as I can, then wrap the joint with electrical tape.

Summer time arrives and I forget to solder the joint I made during the winter.

And two years later those joints are just fine!

[K5LXP]

Gee, I've always figured using a wire nut on a twisted splice was extra credit.  Have evaded the radio police so far, maybe I'm pushing my luck...

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM

[KB2WIG]

 
The Cu split bolt is our friend.

KLC

[N1AUP]

I've used a Mapp torch to silver braze antenna wire splices.  They still look good after being out in the weather.  15% silver brazing rod typically used by plumbers.
The new Mapp you can buy at hardware stores today.

Do you just use plain MAPP gas, or mix MAPP with Oxygen?  I've only played with propane, or oxy acetylene.