[HCARC] Underground Coax Conduit Questions

[Gary Johnson N5BAA]

When running conduit underground I understand that it is almost impossible to keep moisture out of it, especially in the humid hill country.  My conduit will be running up hill for most of it's length, does it make sense to drill a weep hole (3/8ths inch diameter or so) in the bottom of the conduit at the low point/points to let the water drain??  I could dig a sump at that point with pea gravel in it to give the water somewhere to go.

In one conduit I plan on running my rotor cable, a 12 volt line and a 110 volt 10 gauge direct bury waterproof line.  The 110 volt line will be equipped with a plug and socket so the line can be unplugged and only energized when needed.  There is a potential need for 110 volt power at the antennas for other things than radio related.  Does rotor cable ever go bad??  I.E. is it worth the cost and effort to run an extra rotor line in the conduit or would a strong pull string be enough??

I have 2 conduits coming out of the shack - one for coax and one for electrical and rotor.  Can the ground strap go in this conduit too, or should it have a small one of it's very own??  It is minimal trouble with walls still open to install a 1 1/4 inch conduit just for the ground - later, it's much more trouble.  Is it proper to keep the ground strap as far away from coax, electrical, etc as is practical - or doesn't it matter??  

Thanks in advance for the comments.

73 de

Gary J
N5BAA
HCARC Secretary 2013