Topband: COAX FOR DIRECT BURIAL

[BY THE LAKE]

Carl, KM1H's assessment of the availability of cheap Andrew heliax is bang 
on; analog repeaters for 2-way radio have gone the way of the Dodo bird and 
repeater sites are being removed in large numbers.  If you do locate several 
lengths which must be joined, it is not a good idea to bury the connection 
even though some sort of coax seal is used.  Murphy's law will get you if 
you do this, if not this year then next!

A better idea is to bring the connection above ground, seal it properly and 
cover it if possible. Because Heliax cannot be bent in a short radius 
without damaging the jacket, it is not possible to use something like a 4" 
waste pipe with cap to cover the connection.  I have run the connection a 
couple of feet up a tree or post and back down, secured the connection 
mechanically and positioned it horizontally to minimize the possibility of 
water entering.

Should you obtain some cable for your antenna runs, do not rely on the 
connector having been installed correctly-unfortunately, it is easy to botch 
the installation!  The greatest problem is a body which does not make a 
clean and firm contact with the jacket.  Download connector installation 
instructions and check each one you use before installation.

Bill VE3NH 



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