On 8/23/2021 6:42 PM, James Bennett via Elecraft wrote:
Anyway, the path from that coax entrance panel to the antenna is about 100’. The first 50’ of it is the same path that the #4 copper wire would take. Since the ground here in SW Idaho doesn’t freeze up, I’m looking at digging a 4-6” deep trench for these wires. Is there any reason why I cannot place the coax and the #4 copper wire in the same trench? Electrical reasons? RF reasons?
For safety reasons it is advisable to separate the perimeter ground wire from any "utility" cables, including antenna cables. I would dig the trench to 12" or more, bury the ground wire, fill the trench halfway, bury the antenna cable, put a layer of some bright-colored heavy plastic over the cable (to identify it if necessary to dig it up again) and fill the rest of the trench. Put marker stakes around the perimeter. If you don't want to dig it by hand, rent a Ditch Witch. Do not forget to call Locating Services (8-1-1) to mark buried utility pipes and lines on your property before you dig - they are funded by the utilities.
Stuff I learned from my colleague Tom Croda (SK) who was the national expert on communication site power and grounding.
73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402 From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
