Lead Wires Above Ground or below

[pa8486]

Now that we have less snow in central PA, your antenna lead wires, to you put up high or run under ground? I have a PDL II that requires two sets of Radio wire (ONE FOR v AND ONE FOR h) and one for the rotator. Before I move the antenna that I put up in December used from an old H.S., need to MOVE according to the wife. I have 100 feet coax and rotator wire.
Maybe for another topic that I have not searched here for yet, grounding the antenna or the radio? Spring thunderstorms be here soon. Is the simple coax spark arrest or significant enough to ground all?

[Deleted User 14541]

I like to run the coax along the ground. The shield is less likely to radiate and cause issues down there vs being ran through the attic or hanging in the air. I like to use non conductive guy rope vs steel cable for this reason also. If you want to bury it you have to use cable rated for direct burial.

As for the grounding look at your local electrical code. I'm not holding out on you but don't want to give you any bad information that could cost you later.

[pa8486]

That makes sense. I guess since I am not attaching to the house, If I bury it then need to run in some sort of conduit. I do not know if there is a local code, but I do know not allowed to have an antenna visible in the neighborhood. Thanks.

[Deleted User 14541]

The conduit is up to you. Even if you use conduit you'll still want cable rated for burial. Moisture will find its way in.

If you live in a neighborhood there are local electrical codes that will cover proper grounding.

[drdx]

I would avoid the 2 coax run and use a remote switch, like an ameritron. They use the coax for the switching part. It saves you money if the run is long and one single coax in buried gray conduit works well. Those switches run probably $125 give or take and are out there used as well. The 4 position one would allow for 2 more connections in the event you want to add more antennas.

-drdx

[MDYoungblood]

Installing it in conduit makes it easier to replace the coax if necessary, place a pull box (junction box) at the mast or tower and one at the house. Research some surge/lightning arrestors, I like the type with the gas surge element in them. And by all means yes check the local electrical code.

3's

Greg