[TowerTalk] Bundling of tower coax and control lines

[Roger (K8RI) on TT]

On 11/16/2013 8:24 AM, Patrick Greenlee wrote:
> Roger, Your UV is not nearly the intensity of the 5000 ft high desert 
> QTH. What works for you will not work with the intense UV of the high 
> desert.
>

That I know and he did say he used non UV resistant cables,  but all 
that I said is applicable regardless of altitude. If a cable is already 
showing deterioration, it's time to go with new, UV resistant before 
adding the Tesco spiral wrap (I forget the name) Cables that are true UV 
resistant should do well at 5000 feet. Cables that already showing 
deterioration should be replaced.

Non UV resistant coax and cables only last a couple years down here in 
the low lands.  Inexpensive extension cords, last about a year outside 
before the jacket starts breaking off.

Non UV resistant cables need complete coverage for protection and 
particularly so at the higher altitudes.

BTW I made no recommendations that would work for me that wouldn't work 
for him.  I mentioned I had some old stuff, but certainly did not 
recommend it.


73

Roger (K8RI)


> Ray, I think the dripline is something to consider. I think it should 
> be much more survivable than typical water hoses which the UV eats 
> quickly. I have had HD clear plastic tubing turn to sticky goo in 
> under a year. I have used some 1/2 and 3/4 inch black plastic tubing 
> in drip systems and it lasted with no apparent damage for several 
> years. The black plastic wire covering "tubing" (wire loom) with a 
> slit on one side lasts for several years.  I always found it necessary 
> to put some tape around it every so often or to use a few distributed 
> tie wraps to keep the enclosed wires from popping out when the bundle 
> was flexed. Maybe you could ferret out the mfg and buy it in longer 
> lengths that the shorter ones at the auto parts store.
>
> Patrick AF5CK
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Roger (K8RI) on TT
> Sent: Saturday, November 16, 2013 2:27 AM
> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Bundling of tower coax and control lines
>
> On 11/16/2013 2:51 AM, Ray Benny wrote:
>> The subject of bundling tower coax with a spiral/twist type material was
>> recently mentioned. I cannot seem to find it.
>>
>> I would like to bundle my coax and other cables, hanging from coax 
>> arms, to
>> protect them from UV rays. My QTH is high desert, almost 5000 ft 
>> elevation
>> and control lines on other towers are starting to be affected. I used 
>> non
>> UV resistant cables that I had on hand at the time,
>
> My Opinion:
>
> Because of the cost and work involved, I'd choose to just replace the
> cables.
> There are very few coax cables and rotator cables that are very
> sensitive to UV.
> The only brand name coax sensitive to UV "that I know of" are the
> UltraFlex versions of the LMR series.
> I do have "old" rotator cables that the outer jacket is failing after
> nearly 30 years.
>
>
> If the cables have been up long enough to already show substantial
> deterioration, it's time to replace them anyway.
>
> 73
>
> Roger (K8RI)
>
>> Does anyone have leads to locate some of this UV resistant material? 
>> I've
>> seen this type of material for indoor cables, in 6 - 8 ft lengths. I'm
>> hoping someone makes long lengths, 50 ft or so and of different 
>> diameters.
>>
>> Just a thought, has anyone successfully used large diameter black water
>> drip line for this? Seems to cover 2 RG8 size coax cables, a #12/2 
>> copper
>> line and a 3/8" control line would require at least a 1" diameter line.
>>
>> Tnx,
>>
>> Ray, N6VR
>> Chino Valley, AZ
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