[TowerTalk] Running Cables - Shack to Tower

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

FWIW, I have a 250-foot run that includes power and control for two 
rotators, plus coax and two runs of waterproof CAT-5 for controls.  It 
is on the surface, but bundled together. After 20 years, it is mostly 
overgrown by woodland ground cover.  I have no indication of any 
cross-coupling.

I do disconnect everything at the shack entrance when not in use.  Took 
a direct hit on the top of the tower maybe 10 years ago, and lost 
nothing due to conducted voltage except the rotators and switches on the 
tower.  The nearfield damaged our telephone answering machine, as wellas 
two computers on a wired network.  We now use wireless.

73, Pete N4ZR
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On 7/9/2015 8:10 PM, Roger (K8RI) on TT wrote:
> Although code requires they be separate, for a DIYer if it won't be 
> inspected, you can do anything.
>
> My preference is, if it will be carrying power (120 VAC) I'd run them 
> separate mainly because of lightening and possible common mode noise 
> pick up. (RF into the AC, or noise into the coax?) That you won't know 
> without trying.
>
> I'd be uncomfortable with a 200' run of intimately coupled control, 
> power, and RF cables.
> I even run my CAT-5 Gigabit network separate, which is probably a good 
> thing. Lightening got into the network last Summer and took out a 
> router, 8 port switch, 3 NICs and one motherboard.  It melted an RG45 
> into the UPS and welded the pins together, but no damage to the rig 
> down stream although I'll never be able to use the network protection 
> in that UPS again.
>
> What would your insurance Co say if you had an expensive lightening 
> strike?
>
> 73 es good luck
>
> Roger (K8RI)
>
> On 7/9/2015 3:52 PM, Mike Fahmie via TowerTalk wrote:
>> No 'compelling' reasons come to mind though my preference is to keep 
>> power and signal wiring separate.-Mike-WA6ZTY
>>
>>          From: William Fairbanks <Bill.Fairbanks at indstate.edu>
>>   To: "towertalk at contesting.com" <towertalk at contesting.com>
>>   Sent: Thursday, July 9, 2015 6:10 AM
>>   Subject: [TowerTalk] Running Cables - Shack to Tower
>>     Hello,
>>
>> I have a Rohn 25 up about 85'  located about 200' from my garage 
>> radio room. Is there some compelling reason  why I shouldn't run  
>> bury flex coax, rotor cable and outdoor 12-2 w gnd  through a 2" 
>> plastic pipe (already buried) between  the tower and my shack?
>>
>> Bill Fairbanks, N9ela
>>
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>