Yep, conduit drains are good if there are "low points". Best is either a
tower slightly uphill or downhill from the shack to allow end-to-end
drainage (I'm lucky, mine is uphill), or if it's level ground, then the
middle of the run should be buried slightly higher than both ends. In either
case, no drain holes needed. In the latter case, though you will have your
conduit terminating in a hole of some sort at each end, which would not be a
big deal. Don't forget weedeater and lawnmower protection of some sort for
the cables at each end. A slip of the wrist while driving a riding mower
near the tower can ruin your whole day. Been there, done that, have the
T-shirt. Also don't forget to pull in a second pull rope (to leave in) while
pulling the bundle with the first pull rope. I have that T-shirt, too. :-)
73, Jerry
----- Original Message -----
From: "EUGENE SMAR" <SPELUNK.SUENO@prodigy.net>
To: "Jerry Kincade" <w5kp@swbell.net>; <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2002 7:21 PM
Subject: Re: [Towertalk] Cable purchase source info requested
> Dave K0QE (the originator of this thread):
>
> I concur with everyone's recommendation on the PVC conduit, but make
it
> bigger than you think you'll need initially. Being hams, we inevitably
WILL
> change something someday. But I'd add that you ought to provide a drain
> hole in the underside of the conduit at its low point(s). As Jerry said,
> water WILL get in and you have to deal with it. You might also want to
wrap
> some plastic material that's used in flower gardens to keep weeds down
over
> the drain holes. This way the varmints don't get in but the water can get
> out.
>
> The advantage of a conduit system, besides protecting the cable and
> allowing for changing it, is you don't need to buy direct-bury jacketing
for
> your cables. (How many responses to your direct question on buriable
cable
> have you received so far?)
>
> 73 de
> Gene Smar AD3F
>
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