K-Line Vs. E.I.A. Transmission Line In order to manufacture the most cost-effective and reliable transmission line in the industry today, we had to avoid the mistakes of others, and at the same time put our solutions on the line. Therefore, at S.W.R., Inc., WE DO Manufacture a high-strength, bolt-type flange that is 20% thicker than the standard EIA flange. Because our insulator and "O"-ring gasket are recessed into the flange face, damage caused bu mis-assembly is prevented. The flange also aligns itself, and so it does not require the use of alignment pins. Make a watchband spring connector that has total peripheral contact, and thus better current-carrying capability. Its unique design does not allow the dust caused by daily differential expansion to fall on its insulator. Rather, any wear dust is captured in the connector's own female cup. Use heavy-wall inner conductors in all line sizes for maximum heat transfer. Our connecting bullets are an integral part of the inner conductor, and are of all-copper construction. In combination with our built-in thermo-coupler, this makes for the most uniform and efficient heat distribution of any connector in the industry today. Since we offer only one contact joint per 20-foot section of line (all other manufacturers have two), contact resistance is greatly reduced, and optimal performance is the end result. We do clean all our components with a glass-bead blasting process. This not only cleans the line thoroughly, but also uncovers any defects for eventual discard by our quality control personnel. WE DON'T Make a clamp-type flange. We found that this design is subject to failure in high stress situations, such as severe storms. Make a finger-type connector. We found that these can be too easily split upon assembly. Since they only make contact on the high point of each finger, they do not afford good peripheral contact. Also, most bullets of this design allow expansion dust to fall upon the support insulator, causing flash-over. Use thin wall inner conductors or silver-plated bullets. The thin-wall inners can be too easily damaged upon installation, and do not conduct as much heat as heavier-wall inners. The connecting bullets are basically silver-plated brass, and have a very low heat transfer rate, which only results in heat build-up. This may result in eventual breakdown. (In terms of heat transfer, brass is only about 30% as efficient as copper.) We do not use acid baths to clean our copper. We found that his process only hides impurities and makes for eventual breakdown. . 51