[TowerTalk] Planning new QTH - getting cables into the shack

[Chuck Chandler]

Hello to the list...

After 14 years at this QTH I am taking an early retirement opportunity to
move to Hattiesburg, Mississippi and work part time.  So, over the past few
months the shack here has been taken apart and boxed away while I prepare
for the move in late April.  I've got a few questions as I build my new
station and thought I'd mine the list expertise.

First, this is not a dream station.  Time, space and funds are not
unlimited.  But, it won't be too shabby, either.  The new QTH is around 380
ft. ASL, with only a few degrees of 400 ft ASL in one direction fairly
close-in.  My plan right now is for a multi-band vertical HF9V, a center-fed
Zepp or Windom wire antenna and a 50-60 foot tower and SteppIR beam.

Let me start off by thanking the list for recent discussions on grounding.
I now plan on ground rods outside my first-floor shack window, at the base
of the vertical and tower, all tied together and tied into the AC ground.
Antennas will be grounded at the base and at the house entry.  AC, rotor,
etc. cables will also be grounded at the SPG.

So...first question.  The new home is brick outside, wallboard inside.  What
is the best way to get the cables into the shack?  The current QTH is wood
clapboard exterior.  Drill, poke the cable through and seal the hole.  I
suppose a masonry bit will do the trick at the new house but is there a
better way?  The shack only has one window, so I'd rather avoid the
plexiglass window feed-throughs as they would seem to require some weather
stripping that would make the window difficult to open for ventilation in
temperate weather.

How about a large PVC pipe run through the wall?  Harder to seal but only
need one hole.  How hard is that to install?  Can't do it with a masonry
bit, that's for sure.  Bear in mind I'm no carpenter/plumber/electrician but
do know how to look them up in the phone book.

That's my first dilemma.  Brick construction is uncommon up here in New
england so I wonder if I'm overlooking a simple solution.  The house is 6
years old, single story, built on a slab if it matters.

73,
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Chuck Chandler
WS1L
chchandler at adelphia.net
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