[TowerTalk] New windows versus my antenna wiring

[Roger (K8RI) on TT]

On 4/7/2014 9:15 AM, Steve wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have one open wire feeder and a couple of coaxial cables coming into 
> my basement radio shack. Many years ago I removed the glass from the 
> top pane of a window and replaced the glass with plexiglass. I drilled 
> the plexiglass for feed thru insulators for the open wire and holes 
> for the coaxial cables.
>
> I would like to replace the 5 windows on that side of the house, which 
> includes the window with the plexiglass antenna cable entrances. The 
> existing wooden-frame windows with a single pane of glass will be 
> replaced with double-paned, energy efficient double-hung windows.

Were it me, and it's not, I'd use a dense foam, water proofed wood 
panel, or two sheets of plexiglass with feed throughs.  The window 
frames (holding the glass) are likely to be vinyl with no metal and 
should not affect the feed line.  So the spacer under it doesn't have to 
be tall.  We have that type, but sliding type and there is no metal in 
them, but YMMV.

Any insert will defeat the locking mechanism of the window, which is 
minimal at best.  The old double hung with the spring loaded pins on 
each side were the best I've seen. It takes very little to defeat the 
little rotating thing on most of today's windows

With the energy efficient windows, I'd not use a metal spacer as just a 
few inches will defeat the purpose of the energy efficiency. A couple 
strips of 1/4" plexiglass a with a half inch separation (or however wide 
you want), capped with the same material, top and bottom (assembled with 
plexiglass glue and use a piece of weather stripping top and bottom.    
It doesn't have to be that fancy, but a piece like that shouldn't sweat, 
except possibly on really cold days.

As for the gap between the lower sash and the upper window, you should 
be able to find weatherstripping that will fit.  I'm thinking of the 
kind that looks like a tube.  For that matter, you could probably find a 
plastic tube that fits snugly but not tight enough to stress the glass. 
With the price of the windows, I'd go the little extra for a proper 
weather seal.

I assume you are going to hire the job done. If so, I'd ask the 
installer about a piece of weather stripping for the gap,


Lot's of ideas, but most (metal) defeat the purpose of the high 
efficiency and all that I can think of defeat the security.

73

Roger (K8RI)

>
> How do I get my antenna wires into the house after the newer windows 
> are installed? The newer windows do not lend themselves to the 
> plexiglass scheme in use with the existing window. I would prefer not 
> to drill holes in the basement wall -- I want to sell this house 
> eventually (that's one reason for replacing the windows in the first 
> place).
>
> One thought I had is to lower the upper half of the new window about a 
> foot and insert a piece of plexiglass at the top of the window. 
> Buttress the upper half of the new window up against the plexiglass. 
> Seal as necessary with polyurethane foam insulation. One problem with 
> that idea is that the upper section of the window can be lowered from 
> the outside -- not very secure.
>
> Any ideas as to how to get my open wire feeder and a few coaxial 
> cables through the wall after the new windows are installed while not 
> damaging the walls of the house or the new window?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Steve, K8JQ
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk