N3GWZ Coax Cable Installation



I decided to change the way I ran my cables from inside the shack to the antennas outside.  I've wanted to do this for quite some time.  I have a basement door, leading up stairs and outside, near my shack.  It had double-pane glass in it until I found some Lexan.  I cut and drilled the Lexan so that I could install SO-239 bulkhead connectors.  If you ever decide to do this, alot several hours as you must cut and drill slowly so that you do not melt the Lexan.  You should only cut about 1" per minute, very slowly, with a jig saw.  Also, the drill must have a variable speed so that you can take your time.  Now, instead of pinching my Coax between the door and frame, I have a method for getting the Coax outside without causing any door operation problems.

I positioned the SO-239's at the center of the door.  This allows the door to open without the connectors and attached coax from bumping the wall.

With precise measuring, I was able to pinpoint where I wanted the SO-239's.  I had to pick up a 5/8" drill bit in order to create the holes for those connectors.  I also installed a small bolt which acts as a bulkhead ground connector.

The Coax on the outside of the door runs to the antennas outside.  The storm door has a rubber bottom, which allows the cables to pass through without pinching them.  The cable closest to me is RG-8 9913 Belden low-loss cable for my 440MHz eggbeater antenna.  I also have cables for my 40m dipole, hamstick Vee antennas, 6m dipole and 2m eggbeater.  The eggbeaters are for Satellite work, but are horizontally polarized at the horizon.

I created five 10' patch cables with PL-259's on each end, and labeled them for each antenna.

Cable labels help me when it comes time to disconnect and reconnect the antennas.  I plan to install quick disconnect connectors on each of these PL-259's so that removing the connection to the antennas can be done swiftly in the event of a surprise thunderstorm.  The aligator clips (both inside and outside) attach to the bulkhead bolt for station ground.








Updated 7/1/01 by N3GWZ.