[HCARC] Ditching and Electrical To Antenna Farm

[Gary and Arlene Johnson]

Soon I will be renting the ditcher to put electrical and Coax in the ground from the shack to the antenna tower/farm.  I have a couple of questions to ask.  BTW, in most cases all the materials for these questions are already on hand and was provided free gratis from a neighbor.  It's used, but in great shape.  I may have to buy a few connectors but that is all.

1.  Do I need 120 volt electricity to the tower area in addition to the 12 volt needed to run antenna switching, etc.  It makes sense to run 120 volt to obviate the need for running extension cords in addition to a couple of circuits of 12 volt.  Can they all go in the same ditch together without causing problems of ac and dc being together??  Should they be in a separate ditch from the Coax?? 

2.  Can I use #6 aluminum wire for the DC or would something like #14 copper be better??  The run is approx 200 feet.  I also have some size 0 aluminum that could be used.  Was going to run #10 copper direct bury for the 110 volt AC.

3.  I was going to run a couple (maybe 3 depending on how much I have) 2 1/2 inch conduits to the antennas for the coax.  Can they all go in one ditch or do they each need their own ditch - or maybe a wide double ditch??  I remember John AC4CA's talk on antennas at last meeting when he said that MORE CONDUIT IS BETTER.

4.  How many runs of coax would you pre-install --  One, two, three - or would you just run one and install pull ropes for more later??  Note:  I will have the Coax on hand.  Is there something like weathering that could happen to the unused coax, or is there a way to keep it sealed to prevent mositure from getting in?? 

Gary J
N5BAA
HCARC Secretary 2013