On 1 Feb 2007 20:14:01 -0800, "steve" <stevesemple@lycos.com> wrote:

>I Agree the CAT5 is the best option and I have looked at this.
>Although its not the easiest to string cable to. I have never seen
>outdoor cable ?? This is something that I would like to work towards.

There are various forms of CAT5 that can be used. Buriable CAT5
usually has a shield, heavy rubber jacket, and is filled with yucky
silicon gel to keep the water out. You can also get it armoured if
you have a gopher or squirrel problem.

Gel filled "flooded" CAT5:
<http://websvr.commscope.com/CommScope/Eng/specsheets2.nsf/0/c6d09ba0775c9b13852563780067a0df/$FILE/5NF4.pdf>
<http://www.l-com.com/item.aspx?id=7629>
<http://www.cat5ecableguy.com/outdoor_bulk_cable?b=1>
Lots's more. Do some Googling.

However, I cheat. I snake ordinary CAT5 through PVC conduit, flex
black irrigation pipe, or if desperate, garden hose. We have a
neighborhood wired/wireless LAN with almost every type of cable
possible. There's coax cable (RG-6/u and RG-58a/u), aerial coax with
a messenger wire, dual mode fiber, CAT5 in 1/2" PVC conduit (under the
road), direct burial CAT5, and armoured CAT5 through the trees. If
the surplus scrap dealers have it (cheap), I'll used it. It all works
quite well. The biggest dangers are falling branches, squirrels, wood
rats, and clueless neighbors bearing chain saws.


--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558 jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
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