Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Several people
suggested a multiplexed control system. In S.Amherst Ohio I
had a single cable running out for about a half-mile or
more. I ran 48 volts into that cable along with audio tones.
The audio tones were tied to a BCD encoding system that gave
many choices of control functions. This wasn't touch tone,
it was several switched tones that could be on in any
combination.
That was OK because I had one hub.
At this QTH I have switching hubs distributed along a trunk
that contains several feedlines and one control line. The
hubs are spaced around 500 feet or more apart, and there are
four of them. I didn't want to build five or six remote
boxes ( I need a spare or two) plus the encoding hardware.
Especially with lightning worries. Simple is better.
I found some (just under 3000 ft) of suitable 18 gauge alarm
and telco wire 12 conductor on that e place we all know
about. It was good, new, and very cheap (10 cents a foot).
Several people suggested sprinkler wire and it is a good
choice. All of the sprinkler or irrigation control wire I
could find was about 40-50 cents per foot for 10 or 13
conductor. It was available from multiple sources brand new.
That would have been my second choice except I'm a cheap
Ham.
73 Tom
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