[TowerTalk] Coax in Conduit and WATER!

[Joe E. Mesh]

Some time ago...   I read an Andrews publication about burial of coaxial
transmission lines.

In the publication they reccommended ONLY direct ground burial where
burial was planned. Specifically they advised excavation to ten inches
or more below the frost line.   Six inches of small porous stones with
rounded corners line the base of the bed.   Four inches of fine sand
follow.  The cables are then to be laid in the hole and covered by two
to three inches of fine sand followed by the backfill.  

The purpose of all this is to provide a "french drain" and remove the
build up of water in the coax.

They specifically advised not to ever use conduit.   A local friend who
services commercial radio stations antenna sites, pager sites, and cell
sites, also recommended against using conduit.   He states that when he
pulls the coax for replacement after problems develop or a lightning hit
-- he has never found the conduit encased coax dry.  It is always wet.  

He is adamant that regardless of how the conduit joints have been sealed
they leak.   Similarly the direct buried conduit splice done with
connectors always leaks without regard to the manner or amount of
sealing performed.   

The man has twentyfive years of experience directing five crews of tower
and antenna workers performing installations and repairs five days a
week.   I have to listen to him.

What is your point of view on these issues?

Joe / W8SS


--
Thanks....Joe E. Mesh, D.M.D.,C.A.G.S.(Prosthodontics)
from Beautiful Downtown HELL, Michigan USA
07/06/97      15:15       
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