[amsat-bb] Aluminum Welding Rods ?

So if I buy a pack of Aluminum welding rods to make a 2m antenna, how do you bond them together for the correct length? Put a torch to them and melt them together?

Long ago I made a few WA5VJB antennas.. but I used soft drawn copper and I want to make one that's more rugged and can be outside without fear of corrosion..

Thanks!

Sincerely, Marcus Sutliff/N5ZY Edmond Amateur Radio Society License Class Coordinator, VP. ARRL Volunteer Examiner http://www.k5eok.org http://www.qrz.com/db/N5ZY