[TowerTalk] Split Loom as an anti-critter device?

[K4IDC@comcast.net]

I live on a heavily wooded lot in middle Tennessee. We have lots of
squirrels, raccoons, opossum & other gnawing critters. I use 1/2" CATV
hardline from the shack to a 160m folded dipole which is strung up in the
woods. The coax is on the ground for most of the run, A few years ago I had
to cut out & replace ~12" long section that had been chewed to the point of
being useless. It happened to be near a junction in the cable. After making
the repair, I covered the junction with self-adhesive aluminum tape, the
same stuff used to seal up HVAC ducts. I haven't had the problem since, but
that's no guarantee it won't happen again at another location.
Also, the wiring under the hood of my truck & on our boat has been chewed
through on occasions, probably by squirrels. Rodents will chew on nearly
anything. I'm told that fox urine is a good deterrent. It's available in an
spray can from outdoor/hunting suppliers, and it's expensive.
Of the options presented, I'm in favor of PVC conduit for your solution.
Thanks,
Robin Midgett K4IDC


On Wed, Oct 31, 2018 at 6:04 PM Scott Townley <scott at nx7u.net> wrote:

> New to the Northeast, and all the critters that eat...well, everything
> when it gets cold enough.
>
> I am planning on running a length of FSJ-4 (1/2" Andrews superflex) from
> the house to the end of the back yard.  In the spring I will bury it,
> but until then it needs to sit on top of the lawn.  I worry about
> something eating through it--although it's pretty hefty for something to
> chew on, it wouldn't surprise me.
>
> I was thinking I'd put the cable in say a 1" or 1-1/2" split cable loom,
> just as an extra cover to fend off teeth.  Dumb? Unnecessary?  What does
> the Collective Wisdom say?
>
> TIA,
>
> --
> Scott NX7U
>
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