[UK-CONTEST] Buried cables

[Clive Whelan]

Thanks Simon, that's encouraging. I didn't say, but I've come pretty 
close to mowing my own cables once or twice!

Going off sideways a bit.....  At the last, and at this QTH, I had the 
shack window replaced with a " special" double glazed unit. It's only 
special in respect of having a dummy panel at the bottom of the window 
which is just hollow PVC ( with internal reinforcing struts). I then 
drilled as many RG213 diameter holes as required to feed through various 
coaxes, as well as some smaller holes for control cables. The only snag 
is that the holes are not quite big enough to accept a PL259 plug. Also 
you must be careful not to make the panel into a piece of Gorgonzola!

73


Clive
GW3NJW

On 19/03/2010 21:38, Simon Jude wrote:
> Hi Clive,
> Like you I had problems with critters eating my cables, and other 
> family members mowing or tractoring over my cables!  I ended up 
> burrying 2 runs of thin RG58 (yes, I realise this is poor quality, but 
> I couldn't go drilling holes in walls for thick cables) a few inches 
> below the grass between the house and the shed where my balun is 
> mounted.  I had an old hosepipe which I split with a knife and fed the 
> cables into that to give it a bit of added protection.  Other than one 
> of the cables going duff on me (I should have checked before burrying 
> it), I've had no problems and is neat and tidy.  This solution is only 
> temporary, so long term degredation isn't an issue for me.
>
> 73
>
> Simon
>
>
>
>
>> Slightly OT, but of interest to contesters I'd hazard.
>>
>>
>> I wonder what your experience is with buried cables, in " ordinary"
>> garden environments? That might include e.g. RG213type coax and/or pvc
>> sheathed control cables.Have you used conduit and/or have you been
>> cavalier and buried directly?
>>
>> To the present at this QTH my cables have been overground and the
>> control cables have been attacked regularly by creatures unknown,
>> probably squirrels or rats. At least that was the case when they were in
>> undergrowth, but since clearing their path it hasn't thus far been a
>> problem. Nevertheless I'd like to tidy things up a little now that the
>> wx is improving.
>>
>> At a previous QTH I had a 60/70 ft run of RG213 ( type) coax to a
>> vertical which was buried directly in the ground, just a few inches
>> down, and over a period of several years, there was apparently no
>> deterioration. That however goes against the grain, but equally I can
>> envisage that a leaky conduit could be even worse.
>
>> 73
>>
>>
>> Clive
>> GW3NJW
>
>