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Big coax install

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prcguy

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I spent the last 3 days building out coax runs for a couple of 10kW transmitters. The coax is 1 5/8" and 3 1/8" rigid line made of copper tubing. For most runs I used a chop saw to cut the individual inner and outer conductor, installed teflon spacers to hold the center conductor every 24" and silver plated mating contacts to mate the center conductors.

There are two runs from two 10kW transmitters through some filters, then a transfer switch we had to hang in mid air and level, then off to another transfer switch hanging in mid air off to the antenna, load, etc. All runs had to be hand cut, deburred, degreased, center conductors installed into outer conductors and accurate to within less than .050" and perfectly level. It was like building a 3 dimensional puzzle but it came out really nice.

One of the pictures shows a 1 5/8" to 3 1/8" adapter to show the size. I might have to upgrade my ham station with this stuff. The pictures are all rotated and don't want to cooperate in displaying properly.
 

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prcguy

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The transmitter to antenna connection inside the building is about 40ft but there are two transmitters and several switched paths. There will be a long run of 3 1/8" line from the building to the antenna.


Wow, neat. How far was the run?

I'd say using that costs a bit more than LMR-400:D
Wow, neat. How far was the run?

I'd say using that costs a bit more than LMR-400:D
 

prcguy

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Nothing wavelength specific here. The mating connector flanges on the equipment are plumb and square to the floor, walls, etc, and this type of coax does not bend! So everything has to be level to the floor and mostly parallel to the walls so the flanges mate perfectly with no gaps around their circumference.

Why did you need everything level? Were the pipe lengths wavelength specific?
 

bharvey2

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What about the antenna system, were you involved in that too? New, pre-existing and of course, photos if available?
 

prcguy

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I'm glad not to be on the antenna crew for this job. They have been working installing a rather large complex antenna system for the last few weeks and now I hear its installed in the wrong location on the tower and needs to move down. It could be some time before we have an antenna and outside feedline to hook up.

What about the antenna system, were you involved in that too? New, pre-existing and of course, photos if available?
 
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