[TowerTalk] Which feedline to use

[Grant Saviers]

I've just helped recommission one of the former KABC vans for a virtual 
classrom, satellite link, 802.11, 2m, 70cm, & GMRS radios, etc. for the 
upcoming ARLISS rocket launches  (see  aeropac dot org)  There was no 
hardline anywhere in this van.  What may look like hardline is a coil of 
Nycoil nylon 1.25" id coiled air hose which is used as a flexible 
conduit.  There were 19 cables inside the old Nycoil and they are 
impossible to remove.  I had to buy new Nycoil ($1k+ for 70') and pull 
new wires, which was a struggle and uses some tricks.  If there are 
uwaves or UHF the amps/preamps were at the top of the mast, a 40 footer 
in our case.

The Wil-Burt local guy was helpful.  The up/down action of the mast 
tends to twist the wires inside.  They don't recommend any solid 
conductor cables.  The cable load for the new conduit was 2 x Buryflex, 
2 x RG8X, 2 x CAT5e, DC power, AC power, pan/tilt control head 8 
conductor.  Lots of TFE pulling grease and 5 people got them pulled.  We 
tied the Nycoil every 5' to a strong fence, so it was pretty straight, 
otherwise it is impossible to pull through the loops.

Grant
KZ1W


Charlie Gallo wrote:
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> Let's face it, you know those TV remote trucks you see? (here in NYC, all the time) - what do they use on that mast?  Hardline!  The trick is, is you look, is it makes a BUNCH (a BIG bunch) of turns around the mast so that the wire doesn't move all that much each time the antenna is raised/lowered/turns (That and the fact that they are willing to replace the cable more often than most of us)
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