[Antennas] Buried ladder line?

[Tom Scott]

Okay, this is really a serious question, despite the seeming
contradiction in the title. 
 
Has anyone ever considered running ladder line underground through large
diameter ABS tubing? It seems like you could add spacers (maybe
margarine tub lids) to keep it centered? I need to go a short distance
from my shack to a tower but it crosses a driveway and I hate to put it
up in the air. I will be digging a trench anyway for the rotor cable and
some control wires and probably some coax as well. I can easily get 5 or
6 inch abs pipe and figure that ought to provide enough air spacing from
the ground to minimize loss. Bends are a little bit of hassle, but it
seems like there are a couple ways to deal with this. My case is almost
a straight shot anyway, except for down into the trench and back up
again.
 
This would be sort of like giant air-core twin-ax.
 
I'm not interested in proposals that involve burying pairs of coax; yes
that can maintain balance, but is lossier with a mis-match than ladder
line.
 
Thanks!
 
- Tom Scott
27005 SW Neill Rd
Newberg, Oregon 97132
503-330-6867 - Cell
503-538-5839 - Home
503-554-9468 - Fax
KD7DMH


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