[smartBridges] Outdoor or Indoor...Conduit or not.....that is the question

[Bobby Bounds]

Hi everyone......we all know (or think we know) the advantages of using outdoor radios for CPE. They are (your list may vary):   Less db loss in the coax - because the radio is right next to the antenna. Also less cost due to not having to use as much coax. Easier cable install - install CAT 5 instead of bulky LMR. Also you can do longer runs with CAT 5 than coax. Cleaner install at the wall jack - just use an RJ 45 outlet. I may have missed one or two or major benefits but that is all I can think of at the moment.   Now, my point is this. Using outdoor radios has its' disadvantages doesn't it? Such as:   Failures caused by lightning surge, moisture, heat, cold, etc. Last year when SB came out w/the outdoor units I was all jazzed up. In my ignorance I thought the smaller diameter cable run and not having to use coax would be just peachy. I am no longer of that opinion. If you've been following my rants you know our problem here in New Mexico is inductive surge caused by electrical storm activity in the vicinity (the damage tally for the week is two ABO's, 2 Linksys routers, and two integrated NICS in the customer's machines).   So, the party is over. We got our ass kicked. Our ignorance (combined with flaky SB outdoor radios) has been a real bad combo. Not once on this list have I heard any mention that you guys use conduit for customer installs. Why is that? Cost? Labor? Ignorance (like us)? It seems to me now that (in lightning prone areas) the only smart thing to do is use metal conduit starting from the hole in the wall of the house and going to within a few inches of the other end (antenna and/or radio). The reason for metal conduit instead of PVC plastic is that you can use the metal conduit as part of your grounding system.   So, let's say you are using an outdoor SB radio mounted next to the antenna. Why not stick it in a metal elect. utility box or NEMA box? The ethernet crimp would stay high and dry in there. Also, use shielded CAT 5. Run it inside the 3/4" metal conduit. Go down the side of the house with the conduit (looks less worse than cable, you or the customer can paint it to match the structure).   Also, let's say you are using an Indoor radio; I submit to you that it is smart to still use conduit because the conduit extends the life of the coax by like 15 years. I hear the coax starts to crap out after 5 years or so. Another idea I have is to use a small metal box on the outside of the structure right where it enters the house. The conduit can connect into this box, also you can put a Polyphaser in there, and it covers the hole in the house. Then go to earth ground, of course.   Is there extra cost to this? Of course...but it's chump change compared to the cost of rework, truck rolls, and loss of goodwill. Please critique these ideas and help me to refine them. Anyone using conduit at this point?   Finally, I would state that given the disadvantages of the outdoor units I'd have to opine that (all things considered) an indoor radio install has a significant advantage over an outdoor radio install. Do you agree?   So, the issues are:   Outdoor or indoor Conduit or no   Bobby Bounds Airwave Internet