[Antennas] Question

[K9ze@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/30/02 12:24:33 PM Central Daylight Time, 
Rudy.Pitte@americawest.com writes:

> Living here in the valley of the sun, Chandler, Az in my case, a large
>  majority of us live in stucco-clad homes. If this is your situation or even
>  any other type of construction, I was wondering how you brought in your
>  antenna feedlines and other wires into your shack? Did you go through the
>  wall? If so how, what kind of installation did you do? Through the window?
>  Under the door? If your antenna's are in the attic, how'd you bring the 
same
>  wires down to your operating station? An inquiring mind would like to know.
>  T.I.A.   
>  
>  Rudy  
>  WW7AZ
= = = = =     = = = = =     = = = = =
Many different solutions available to you Rudy . . . . .

One of the very best solutions I've found over the years takes care of a 
number of station-building problems at the same time.
Open your window 8 to 10 inches and do whatever might be necessary to insert 
a sheet of metal in the opening.  Those brass-covered kick panels for the 
outside bottom of entry doors work well and are fairly easy to cut.
Fit the panel up with weather-stripping around the edges and then remove it 
to install all the coax/wire feedthrough bits & pieces.  Drill 5/8" holes to 
accommodate coax barrel connectors, mount insulated wire feedthroughs for 
balanced line, inside/outside terminal strips for rotor cable, etc.
And a real bonus to this type of installation is that you can make this metal 
panel your central & single grounding point for the station.  
Clamp/bolt/pop-rivet as-large-as-possible grounding strap to this panel and 
then make the shortest run possible to your ground rod(s)/grounding system.   
You can even mount surge protectors/lightning arrestors directly in the panel 
if you want, or attach them to the barrel connectors mounted in the panel.
= = = = =
A second solution - - - if all you want to do is get the coax/wire through 
the wall as straightforward as possible, is to get out the hole saw and cut 
at least a 2 to 3 inch hole to accommodate PVC pipe of the appropriate size.  
Cement a 90-degree fitting on the outside, and stuff it full of fiberglass 
insulation after the wire has been run.
= = = = =

If you're doing an attic-antenna installation, you'll do the least amount of 
damage if you just simple cut a hole in the ceiling.  Pick a spot in the very 
corner near your station and put your 2-3 inch hole saw to use.  Insert a PVC 
pipe and run your cable.  If at all possible, secure the PVC pipe to 
something solid in the attic - - - metal straps, an added 2X4 to the 
crossmembers, etc.  Do whatever is necessary to keep the PVC pipe from moving 
around and subsequently damaging the ceiling.  Also - - - don't forget to 
save that piece of ceiling cutout to facilitate a repair that'll eventually 
take place.

Good luck with the install. . . . .

Ron, K9ZE