usnasa
Member
maybe a stupid question but I have a discone antenna and the cable running down the mast should it be wrapped around the mast or just let it hang down does it matter ? thanks to all
cable mast question ?
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usnasa
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thank u for your quick answer
safetyobc
Member
usnasa said:
I ran mine through a small 3/4" pvc pipe painted gray. Dang squirrels ruined my first run by jumping off the roof and climbing the coax, or that is what we guestimated to have happened on another thread here.
But before that, I used the little zip ties to keep it tight so that, like the above poster, the wind wouldn't blow it around and make it looke neater.
matt
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N_Jay
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The weight of the coax should NEVER be supported by the connector.
The weight of the coax should only be supported by itself for short runs (3 to 6 feet)
The weight of the coax should only be supported by itself for short runs (3 to 6 feet)
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N_Jay
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When it hangs, or is strung between points, the cable itself is carrying the weight, and this is incorrect.rhutch said:
Your suggestion is a good one.
RISC777
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I use zip ties every three feet. If it's going to be up and out for a loong time, ensure the zip ties are UV resistant so the sun doesn't erode them away.rhutch said:
Also I saw the post about running it through some PVC. That's to protect it from birds, and maybe the ocassional crazy squirrel (some squirrels love to chew on coax sometimes).
VernM
Member
Zip ties as dressing for antenna leads are a bad idea unless you're using an especially rugged coax such as RG-8X M/M (Marine/Mobile). Their pull against the coax in warm and cold can cause the center wire to migrate and alter impedance. Electrical tape is much better.
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N_Jay
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RISC777 said:
So what keeps it from slipping down under its own weight (and stretching)
RISC777
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I pull them tight against the masts, I just don't overly tighten them. The -400 is 3/8" and the -600 is 1/2" . . . the sheathing / insulation etc. is thick and tough.N_Jay said:
For instance, I had a section that I was taking around a corner and bent the stinky out of it. My first thought was that I had damaged it. Straightened it out, pulled the meter out and checked for shorting, hooked it up, worked perfectly. That stuff is bloody tough (while not being "too" heavy).
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N_Jay
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RISC777 said:
Short and Open are NOT the only indications of damage to coaxial cable!:roll: :roll: :evil:
Al42
Member
I'll bet that a reflectometer would say otherwise. Even about the cable that's been cable-tied for a summer or two.
Hi Doug and all,
"For instance, I had a section that I was taking around a corner and bent the stinky out of it. My first thought was that I had damaged it. Straightened it out, pulled the meter out and checked for shorting, hooked it up, worked perfectly."
Like Al said, a DC short isn't the only damage you could have caused. If you corrected your mistake in time it's probably OK but if it was prolonged, especially in warm sunlight my money is on migration and a lumped impedance, a discontinuity.
I agree with some of the above, I don't use ties for those reasons. Once upon a time I did and had multiple problems, ever since I have used tape. Well, the second time around I used black vinyl, duct tape weathers so badly it was in tatters within a month. Redneck do-all repair kits may be fine for that beat up pickup truck with the gun rack but hell on antenna installations. (;->)
BTW, I fixed the squirrel problem once by stripping the conductors out of a length of old BX cable and drew the coax through the armor sheath. It's flexibility eliminated any difficulties when installing it. In another installation I ran it from the basement to just under the roof line through thin wall steel EMT just like the electrical service, entrance ell, cobra cap and all. That wasn't for squirrels, it was protection from CBers armed with straight pins.
"For instance, I had a section that I was taking around a corner and bent the stinky out of it. My first thought was that I had damaged it. Straightened it out, pulled the meter out and checked for shorting, hooked it up, worked perfectly."
Like Al said, a DC short isn't the only damage you could have caused. If you corrected your mistake in time it's probably OK but if it was prolonged, especially in warm sunlight my money is on migration and a lumped impedance, a discontinuity.
I agree with some of the above, I don't use ties for those reasons. Once upon a time I did and had multiple problems, ever since I have used tape. Well, the second time around I used black vinyl, duct tape weathers so badly it was in tatters within a month. Redneck do-all repair kits may be fine for that beat up pickup truck with the gun rack but hell on antenna installations. (;->)
BTW, I fixed the squirrel problem once by stripping the conductors out of a length of old BX cable and drew the coax through the armor sheath. It's flexibility eliminated any difficulties when installing it. In another installation I ran it from the basement to just under the roof line through thin wall steel EMT just like the electrical service, entrance ell, cobra cap and all. That wasn't for squirrels, it was protection from CBers armed with straight pins.
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N_Jay
Guest
RISC777 said:
How did you measure the loss?
STiMULi
Member
Although rare, using cable ties at consistant intervals over long distances can cause wierd harmonic problems at certain frequecies depending on the cable and distance between the ties. Space the ties at irregular distances to prevent this from occuring. Use ties that are UV rated for outdoor use.
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