[TowerTalk] DIY conduit locator?

[Tim Duffy]

Hello Grant:

As far as locating underground coax cables, I have had great success using
the Elecraft XG-3. I built a "flipper" adapter that takes the output center
conductor of the XG-3 and flips it on the outside shield for the coax cable
(the XG3 shield flips to the coax center conductor). Turn the XG3 on and use
0 dBm output hooked to the flipper and then to the coax under test. I use 80
meters. Then by using a hand held RX (SSB or CW) it is simple at ground
level to hear exactly where the coax is located. Terminating the far end of
the coax with a 50 ohm load can improve signal strength, but is not normally
needed.

73
Tim K3LR

-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Grant
Saviers
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2020 11:11 AM
To: 'towertalk at contesting.com'
Subject: [TowerTalk] DIY conduit locator?

Trying to find a design for a empty conduit tracer.  We've dug at a 
couple of places at the 501c3 where it was "supposed to go", NG.  Seems 
to me this is a simple widget for energizing a test wire in the conduit 
or some sort of mouse - LF or magnetic placed on the end of a snake.

Some googling hasn't found a design so hoping a towertalkian has a 
design or link to one that works.  This 2" conduit was installed some 
time ago at 24" depth but where it routes is now lost.

The commercial tracers are $3000.  My budget is more like $20.  The 
usual AM radio and dongle SDR's are available.

Also interested for when I need it to exactly locate my coax conduits 
before digging.

Grant KZ1W
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