[TowerTalk] LMR 600 Waterproof Cable Feedthroughs

[K0DAN]

I have a variety of cables coming down the tower, including LMR600-U/F, all 
of which go into a NEMA box, then surge suppressors, shield grounding, etc.

The box & cables have been there 10+ years, and as things break or change, I 
have found that it's handy to terminate the cables coming off the tower at 
ground level, add gender or other adaptors, run short pigtails into the NEMA 
box, then continue the runs to other antennas, the shack, etc.

Yes, there is more need to weatherproof the splices, and there are slight 
impedance bumps & losses with the extra splices/connectors, however:
a) you can get anything to fit your feedthrough's into the box
b) If something fails or needs troubleshooting, it's easy to tap into or 
swap lines

You may not want to hear it this way, but I've found it to be a very minor 
compromise, and a boon to problem solving and emergency repairs.

Unless you're doing moonbounce or very weak signal work at microwaves, the 
additional losses are negligible and  are offset by the benefits (IMHO).

Also, with the LMR600, while the compression fittings are a bit pricey 
(about $20 each) they're really easy to install and weatherproof. A couple 
3' or 6' pigtails into your box will make life easy, and maybe make it 
easier to install grounding & surge suppression.

GL es 73

Dan
K0DAN


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark Robinson" <markrob at mindspring.com>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, July 30, 2010 11:25 AM
Subject: [TowerTalk] LMR 600 Waterproof Cable Feedthroughs


>I am planning on placing the DX Engineering Enclosure Box to house 
>lightning
> ptotection devices at the bottom of my tower
>
> http://www.dxengineering.com/Products.asp?ID=212&SecID=112&DeptID=19
>
> It comes with weatherproof cable feedthroughs
>
> http://www.dxengineering.com/Parts.asp?ID=1308&PLID=212&SecID=112&DeptID=19&PartNo=DXE-CFT-1P
>
> However I am planning on running LMR-600 down the tower which is of the
> order of 0.6 inch diameter, so the supplied feedthroughs are not big 
> enough.
> Does anyone know of a source of similar feedthroughs which will fit the
> LMR600 coax. My search hasn't dug up anything yet.
>
>
> tnx de Mark N1UK
>
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