What is this cable on the Paulina Peak Trail?

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justpeachy
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What is this cable on the Paulina Peak Trail?

Post by justpeachy » July 13th, 2020, 6:06 am

Anyone know what this thick cable was once used for along the Paulina Peak Trail? It's far thicker than the phone line that was used to connect lookouts and ranger stations.

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BurnsideBob
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Re: What is this cable on the Paulina Peak Trail?

Post by BurnsideBob » July 13th, 2020, 9:33 am

Looks like a communications cable designed for over-the-ground installation--similar in design to undersea cables except minus the outer rubber jacket. The colored wires in the core are the comm wires--everything else is protection for same.

This could have served a weather station or other facility(s) requiring multiple data feeds and would predate the era of microwave and satellite data links now used to connect such facilities to the outside world.

The Deschutes National Forest probably has a radio shop charged with maintaining all the comm links and equipment the USFS uses. There maybe someone there with specific knowledge of the equipment used on Paulina Peak over the years.

Happy cross talk!


BurnsideBob
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justpeachy
Posts: 3066
Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
Location: Portland, OR
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Re: What is this cable on the Paulina Peak Trail?

Post by justpeachy » July 13th, 2020, 11:45 am

Interesting. Makes sense! Thanks!

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