Burying and Drainage of Coax in PVC Pipe - StationBuilding Forum at eHam.net

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Burying and Drainage of Coax in PVC Pipe	Reply
by N8EUI on March 8, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
Hi there, Can anyone tell me what's the best way to drain the inevitable moisture that will collect in an underground PVC pipe used for coax burial? I've read drainage is not necessary. I've also read the opposite. Any thoughts? Thank you, Tom, N8EUI

RE: Burying and Drainage of Coax in PVC Pipe	Reply
by KB9CRY on March 8, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
the inevitable moisture that will collect in an underground PVC pipe This is totally correct. You WILL get moisture. Slope it and drill holes. Wrap that portion of the pipe in landscape fabric to keep out the mud and surround it with some stone for drainage. Personally I use that slotted 4 inch corrugated drain pipe from HD.

RE: Burying and Drainage of Coax in PVC Pipe	Reply
by WB2WIK on March 8, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
I think an underground PVC pipe is likely to collect water eventually, so "drainage" seems an obvious goal. However, I use lots of coax that is underwater lots of times, and never had any problem with that, either! All my coax runs are currently above ground, but one span of 11 runs of cables runs literally in the rear rain gutter of my home for 75' length. If it rains, all the coax is under water. So what? It's waterproof, like a hose. Doesn't do anything to the coax except make it wet on the outside. I guess the thought is that if the coax is pierced somewhere (probably accidentally), then keeping it dry is a good idea, and that seems logical. I try not to knick or pierce my coax, and never really had a problem. When I lived at a former home (2 houses ago) I had 7 runs of coax and rotator cables going up a hill in my backyard to where the towers were, and it was all underground for about 200-225 feet or so. No PVC, no protection, just buried the cables in a 6" deep (or so) trench made with a "Ditch Witch." Nothing ever failed, in 7 years. However, as soon as the cable emerged from the ground (up the hill, by the towers) I had several failures -- all due to "critters" chewing on it. I suspect Moles, we had a problem with those and they do have sharp teeth. WB2WIK/6

RE: Burying and Drainage of Coax in PVC Pipe	Reply
by K9KJM on March 9, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
The corrugated 4" drainage tube is what I use. You can buy it in either perforated or non-perforated, About the same price, Just over 20 bucks for a 100 foot long roll. This works great as long as you are not running the line in a "low" area that is below the water table at any time of year. When you have the trench open, Be sure to also lay in a bare copper wire (#6 or larger) outside the conduit (Along with a few ground rods along the way) for your lightning ground/bonding.

RE: Burying and Drainage of Coax in PVC Pipe	Reply
by WW5AA on March 9, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
I never have used PVC, I have had regular RG213 buried about 6" down for over 6 years now without a problem. Not being an expert I thought I would just give it a try...if it goes bad tomorrow, it's paid for its self! 73 de Lindy

RE: Burying and Drainage of Coax in PVC Pipe	Reply
by NK5G on March 9, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
I also have regualr 213 buried with no PVC. I figured that coax will get wet regardless if it is above ground or under. Mine is buried just below the surface. Just enough to keep the mower from eating it. So far no problems.

RE: Burying and Drainage of Coax in PVC Pipe	Reply
by N8EUI on March 9, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
Thank you for your suggestions. I think I'll bury the coax inside 2" PVC. Two inch pipe will allow me to run more coax if I build that tower and beams some day. I'll slope it down in both directions away from the center of the pipe and drill some small holes at the elbows where they come up to the surface. Below each elbow I'll dig a little deeper and shovel in some pea gravel for drainage. I'll wrap each elbow with some landscape fabric to allow the moisture to drain out and keep bugs out. What do you all think about this idea? Thanks, Tom, N8EUI

RE: Burying and Drainage of Coax in PVC Pipe	Reply
by K9KJM on March 9, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
Someday you will be sorry you did not install 4 inch right away, But anyhow, Dont use 90 degree elbows, Instead get at least four 45 degree elbows and put a little short length of pipe between them to make a very gradual curve so you can pull more coax. (Four inch thinwall does not cost much, And the corrugated I described costs even less. Just over 20 bucks for a 100 foot roll.) Dont forget a bare copper wire OUTSIDE the conduit for grounding!

RE: Burying and Drainage of Coax in PVC Pipe	Reply
by KB9CRY on March 10, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
Yes 4 inch.

RE: Burying and Drainage of Coax in PVC Pipe	Reply
by KI4VEO on March 22, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
While you are at it, put in a few "pull lines" 'cause as sure as God made green apples, you will want an additional coax (or 2) after you backfill over your PVC. Some quality masons twine should suffice. In fact, just avoid the future pulls and install some spare coax and zip lock bags over the ends, wrapped with duct tape. The comment on the moles was valid. They chew through anything in their path - whether it tastes good or not.

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