[Elecraft] Ground Wire & Coax

[Phil Kane]

On 8/23/2021 6:42 PM, James Bennett via Elecraft wrote:

> Anyway, the path from that coax entrance panel to the antenna is
> about 100’. The first 50’ of it is the same path that the #4 copper
> wire would take. Since the ground here in SW Idaho doesn’t freeze up,
> I’m looking at digging a 4-6” deep trench for these wires. Is there
> any reason why I cannot place the coax and the #4 copper wire in the
> same trench? Electrical reasons? RF reasons?

For safety reasons it is advisable to separate the perimeter ground wire 
from any "utility" cables, including antenna cables.  I would dig the 
trench to 12" or more, bury the ground wire, fill the trench halfway, 
bury the antenna cable, put a layer of some bright-colored heavy plastic 
over the cable (to identify it if necessary to dig it up again) and fill 
the rest of the trench.  Put marker stakes around the perimeter.  If you 
don't want to dig it by hand, rent a Ditch Witch.  Do not forget to call 
Locating Services (8-1-1) to mark buried utility pipes and lines on your 
property  before you dig - they are funded by the utilities.

Stuff I learned from my colleague Tom Croda (SK) who was the national 
expert on communication site power and grounding.
73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
Elecraft K2/100   s/n 5402

 From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon