[TowerTalk] Need Help For Cable Runs To Tower

[Wayne Willenberg]

While I am waiting for my 89’ crank-up tower to be built and delivered, I
thought I would get busy running the various control lines for the rotator,
the AC power for the motor that lifts the tower and, of course, the RF
cable for my antenna that will be on top of the tower.

I would like to place these lines underground from the panel entrance to my
shack to the base of the tower.  (That total distance is about 175 feet)
My first thought was to run the cables through PVC pipe, and to use Andrew
LDF5-50A Heliax (7/8”) for the RF cable.  Of course, I will have to use a
flexible coax from the base of the tower to the top of the tower.

I would really appreciate some advice before I start trenching.  For
example,

1)  It would seem logical not to put the RF cable in the same PVC pipe as
the 220 VAC wire for the motor and the power and control lines for the
rotator.  If it is better to separate the RF cable from the other lines,
how far apart should the 2 PVC pipes be?

2)  Should I drill holes in the bottom of the PVC to allow any water that
gets into it to drain away?

Thanks as always for your help with my first tower.

Wayne, KK6BT