Don,
Elevating the long feed increases the chances of picking up stray RF on the
feedline. Instead, consider running the cable through some small PVC pipe, or
old garden hose.
For such repairs to damaged feedline, I have found cheap vinyl electrical tape
to be more than adequate.
A good alternative to encasing the feedline in PVC pipe or hose is to scrounge
up some hardline. I've never had any problems with rodents chewing that, and
it's tough enough that a horse can walk over it without damaging it.
Search the archives too -- there are other remedies that have been discussed on
the reflector at length the past few years.
73/Jon AA1K
Felton, Delaware
www.aa1k.us
At 01:58 PM 9/11/04, Donald Chester wrote:
>As I get ready to extend my beverage back to 900 ft when the crops are in, I
>notice some damage to the RG6 lead-in that goes from the transformer at the
>end of the antenna to the receiver in the shack. The run of cable is about
>600 ft, and I prefer not to replace it. Last season I just let it lie on the
>ground on the back side of my property where I thought it would remain
>undisturbed, but evidently it was attacked both by animals and vandals.
>
>I notice several sets of tooth marks that have penetrated the vinyl jacket,
>and a couple of diagonal slashes that have cut through jacket, shield, foam
>insulation all way down to expose the centre conductor, without actually
>damaging the wire itself. I attribute the tooth marks to a stray dog or other
>animal, but the diagonal cuts must have been made with a knife or other sharp
>object, because I don't think an animal would have made such a straight, clean
>cut. No clue why anyone would slash the wire in that fashion and not do any
>more damage to anything else.
>
>I have thought of either wrapping the damaged areas with self-vulcanising
>rubber electrical tape or using "coax-seal", then wrapping that with vinyl
>tape. Anyone with experience on which of these would work better? This year
>I plan to construct temporary supports to get the wire off the ground, even
>though the pesky giant rats that roam the property (white-tail deer) will
>probably do damage to that setup. Any thoughts on the best repair for the
>RG-6? It worked throughout the season last year, and I didn't notice any
>degradation in performance near the end of the season due to the cuts and
>pierces, but I don't to put it back out in the weather again this year with
>unrepaired holes in the protective jacket.
>
>Don K4KYV
>
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