Aerial pole "T" and "K" brackets - which

[braychurchmouse]

I have to put an outside aerial up in the next day or so and wondered whether the T bracket should go at the top or the K. Most of the ones in the neighborhood have the T at the top, but it looks kinda neater with the K at the top....

Also why do most contractors seem to tape the coax to the outside of the tube with nasty black tape instead of threading it down the inside of the tube which would look a lot neater and provide a bit of extra interference screening?

Any other tips would be very welcome.

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Mod9

 

[Sureitsoff?]

i would agree that the k looks neater at the top and i believe it is stronger that way. as for passing the coax down the inside of the pole DONT as sooner or later (probably sooner) the sharp edge of the pole will wear through the cable as the cable moves inside the pole ever so slightly in the breeze and you dont wont to have to do it again do you? if the cable is neatly taped to the pole on the same side as the wall it is not very noticeable. also dont skimp on the cable, use good quality CT/WF100 as it has a very good screen to begin with and doesnt need the help of a pole round it.
use good quality wall anchors as an aerial atop a pole is subjected to a fair bit of force when the wind blows

 

[c128]

i would agree that the k looks neater at the top and i believe it is stronger that way. as for passing the coax down the inside of the pole DONT as sooner or later (probably sooner) the sharp edge of the pole will wear through the cable as the cable moves inside the pole ever so slightly in the breeze and you dont wont to have to do it again do you? if the cable is neatly taped to the pole on the same side as the wall it is not very noticeable.

Depending on the size of the pole, it's probably less hassle to put something around any burr/sharpeness on the edges than tape a wire all the way down on the outside, surely? I recently installed a satellite dish with a fairly long pole and put the coax inside - bit of tape around the top and bottom "lips" and no rubbing or damage to the lead after around 6 months, and far neater. Next time I do something similar I'll probably drill holes near the top and bottom and put rubber grommets in, passing the leads through them - even neater.

 

[Steve]

Instead of tape use plastic zip cable ties.

 

[Lectrician]

UV Stable ones

 

[gman76]

I am of the opinion that there is too much temptation to over tighten cable ties, creating several "crushes" upon the cable (not good), tape has a natural grip on the cable outer with no danger of garrotting it.

The mast itself would only offer extra shielding if it were physically connected to the shielding of the cable, this would let water in I suspect.

 

[braychurchmouse]

Thanks very much indeed for all the advice folks. Cable ties is a good idea...I think i'll try and find some grey ones which won't show up too badly on the tube, especially if I position the coax on the side of the pole facing the wall.
Sound advice re cable spec...it seems the key thing is to get double screened with a copper sheath (not aluminium) and copper braid...again the satcure website has good advice on this.

I'll let you know how I get on.

 

[gman76]

Just exercise caution when tightening them up!

 

[bernardgreen]

Put one wrap tightly round the pole and then above it a second wrap around cable and pole but NOT pulled tight. The first one will stop the second one sliding down the pole.