Hi Dave,
You might need to use a TDR to identify the extent of cable damage.
Hopefully the flooded cable limited the extent of damage, but water can
intrude quite a long distance into some brands of RG-6. All RG-6 is
not created equal, far from it. Hopefully you have the good stuff!
73
Frank
W3LPL
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Olean" <k1whs@metrocast.net>
To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2015 3:19:08 PM
Subject: Topband: Why do rodents eat coax?
Thanks to all who responded with all sorts of great hints and ideas for
combating the rodent problem with beverage feedlines. I ended up going with
buying 1000 ft of 1/2" PVC conduit and will lay that on the ground through the
woods. I ordered a new 1000 ft roll of RG-6 flooded cable to use inside the
PVC. I also removed my existing 1000 ft run of coax and gave it a good
inspection looking for chew marks. After laying the coax out in my open field,
I identified five areas where the critters had chewed it. At least three of the
spots were severe with chewing marks that went deep down to expose the center
conductor. I can cut the bad parts out and will only lose about 10-12 ft of
overall length. I'll put F fittings and splices there and will try to reuse the
old cable as well. It won't fit inside the PVC along with the new cable, but
hopefully, I can bury it enough so that it lasts a few years. I was hoping to
add another beverage at the same spot with a second feedline. I can
lay out an 800-900 ft wire aimed at Africa and the middle East. That is an area
that I have had nothing in the past, so maybe I can improve things while I
repair the rodent damage. Those darn critters sure caused a lot of damage and
expense!
Anyway, thanks to all who responded. I appreciate all the great comments and
ideas.
73
Dave K1WHS
_________________
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
_________________
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
|