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I'm running a feed line from the end of my amplifier to the antenna for HF transmissions. I'm using RG8x / mini 8. There's an existing pathway through my house I'd like to use that has a cat 5e ethernet cable.

I'd like to just push the coax through the same conduit as the ethernet, they'll be laying on top of each other for maybe 10 feet, outer jackets touching. In a couple of areas they'll end up zip tied next to each other. Does this create any interference that would be detectable? I'll be running up to max legal power (US / FCC).

Eric
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No.

In fact, you shouldn't use RG-8X at all. Belden's specifications put the maximum power at 1000 W at 10 MHz, and 370 W at 50 MHz. The maximum power on most HF bands is 1500 W, so you'll be significantly exceeding the ratings of the cable.

Also keep in mind a cable in an enclosed space will run hotter than one with natural convection, so some derating may be appropriate.

Provided however you operate within the cable's specifications, use a high quality cable, and the cat 5 isn't connected to something extremely sensitive to RF, running other cables bundled with the coax is probably fine. See the datasheet for the isolation the shield provides: if there's not a datasheet then it's not a high quality cable. Do be sure to check for common-mode current, and mitigate as necessary, as this is likely the more significant coupling mechanism compared to leakage through the shield.

Phil Frost - W8II
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