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Author Topic: Locating coax and AC cables  (Read 370 times)

N5YPJ

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Locating coax and AC cables
« on: September 12, 2020, 12:04:37 PM »

I'm relocating my station to a now vacant bedroom, in a previous thread it was suggested that a brick in the outside wall could be removed so to route my station cables. I like that idea very much.

I would like (or need) a branch circuit for my station and have had plans to add one until COVID and the hail storm derailed those plans - the house is a two wire system with a flat roof and sitting on a slab. The only way to add a circuit to that room would be through the outer brick wall. It would be nice if removing one brick could serve two purposes, station cables and an upgraded AC circuit. How close should I consider routing a 240 VAC Romex cable to my coaxes so to avoid interaction / RFI pickup? I occasionally run 1KW, resonant antennas and have a good ground system.

Thanks

Richard
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KD0REQ

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Re: Locating coax and AC cables
« Reply #1 on: September 28, 2020, 02:23:21 PM »

no Romex outside!

this is going to have to be conduit, either PVC or metallic. bring it on one side, the coax on the other.

you will have to consult your local building officials for what they'll take. particularly in bad weather/fire/hurricane areas, insurance companies are getting really picky.
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W9IQ

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Re: Locating coax and AC cables
« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2020, 05:23:16 PM »

Richard,

The desired, differential mode signals are contained on the inside of the coax. It doesn't matter if the antenna is resonant or not. If you have proper common mode chokes on your coaxial cable, briefly paralleling the mains line with the coax, such as coming together through the area of a brick, will have no effect on transmitted or received signals nor will it induce signals into the mains line even with QRO. The lightning ground system also has little effect on this arrangement.

For the branch circuit to your shack, use 12/3 or larger wire. Use UF direct burial cable. It needs to be 18 to 24 inches underground (depending on the type of area in which it is located) if you wish to avoid additional physical protection such as conduit or concrete. With the correct type of conduit, you can be as shallow as 4 inches, again dependent upon the area.

- Glenn W9IQ
« Last Edit: September 28, 2020, 05:29:10 PM by W9IQ »
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- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.
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