[UK-CONTEST] Antenna Cables underground

[David Barber]

Pipe

Probably not large enough diameter for your requirements but may inspire
you.

I used the following available from B&Q, etc.

Marley Polypropylene Waste Pipe 3M WPP43BX Black (Dia) 40mm B&Q  EAN:
5011141078686

A range of push fit (rubber O ring seals) couplings and fittings are
available to suit your ingenuity.

Avoided using the bends for the reason you mention, stuck plugs!  Instead to
form bends, fill the length of pipe to be bent with fine sand then heat
gently with a heat gun bending as required.  The sand prevents buckling and
when cold the pipe retains the required shape.

Ends can be fed into weatherproof moulded boxes also available from B&Q and
other electrical suppliers.

Feed rope through each section of pipe as added but do tie something on the
other end!!



TV or not TV

"In order to maintain my relatively low noise level, whilst being able to
read the score"

Listen to the match on the radio and buy a newspaper!!!

-----Original Message-----
From: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of John Wayman
Sent: 30 March 2008 17:08
To: UK Contest Reflector
Subject: [UK-CONTEST] Antenna Cables underground

I want to replace all my co-ax runs and my rotator cable, but I want to run
them underground, in a pipe.
I would like to be able to pull through additional runs as and when they
become necessary. There will be 3 or 4 runs of co-ax and one of rotator
cable, plus one to operate the remote antenna switch, to start with.
In your experience, what is the best way to achieve this?
What type of pipe is best, bearing in mind the last thing I want is for a
PL259 to get jammed in a join halfway between shack and antenna?
How are the ends of the pipe best done? Straight up with a U bend on top, or
into a suitable enclosure on the wall of the shack and the base of the mast,
or some other way?
Is it best to run cables up guys to the top of telescopic masts, or should I
run them all the way up from the bottom? If the latter, how is the loop best
dealt with when the mast is retracted?
When laying the pipe, how does one get the rope, to be used for pulling the
cables, all the way from one end to the other to start with?

Any other nuggets of advice born out of experience will be gratefully
received - I only want to do this once!

Cheers,



John, G4DRS
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