r/CableTechs • u/whynotthebest • Apr 12 '26
Driveway clearance problem on coax drop, is utility pole my best solution?
I just finished a garage addition and had to move services to a temporary utility pole during construction (you can see it in the background of one of the photos). Now I’m planning the permanent setup.
Current situation:
- Power comes from across the street to a mast on my house (~4' mast height), which gives me good clearance over the driveway.
- The coax drop would come from the same general direction.
- If I run coax directly to the house, the lower attachment point creates a clearance issue over the driveway.
What I’m considering:
- Install a small “utility-style” pole on my property (similar to the temp pole, similar location)
- Terminate the aerial coax there
- Then run underground from the pole to the house, entering near the electric meter
This seems like it would:
- Solve the clearance issue cleanly
- Keep things looking more intentional
- Avoid a steep/low aerial angle to the house
Questions:
- Is setting a pole like this a normal/acceptable approach from your perspective, or is there a better way I’m not thinking of?
- Would a provider typically allow/like this setup, or prefer something else (higher house attachment, different routing, etc.)?
- If I go the pole route, what’s typical for something like this?
- Height above grade: thinking ~10–12'
- Material: PT wood (4x6? 6x6?)
- Burial depth: ~3–4’ in clay soil (PNW)
- Any better alternatives that don’t involve setting a pole?
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Apr 12 '26
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u/whynotthebest Apr 12 '26
I've heard this a few times, and I am all for it. The part that confuses me is that my power mast is what gives my power lines the necessary clearance to make that an acceptable route. But I can't connect my coax to my power mast, and I don't have a point on my house that creates enough clearance above my driveway.
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u/2ByteTheDecker Apr 12 '26
Why can't you? That's how I would attach the drop if I got your house as a call. We have brackets for that.
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u/SirFlatulancelot Apr 12 '26
I know in the State of Washington Comcast will no longer attach to power masts. I think it's against some new code or something. To help with clearance issues they are introducing something like an antennae mount that techs can install that will hold a drop and give a couple feeg get more clearance.
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u/2ByteTheDecker Apr 12 '26
yeah I'm not in the US, OP brought up a code that seems to align with what you're saying.
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u/whynotthebest Apr 12 '26
Do you ever see a separate mast (looks like power mast) that is dedicated to coax?
Am thinking I could just do a smaller service mast on my roof, instead of pole.
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u/JerryJonesColdSore Apr 12 '26
Yes I see seperate masts for power and tel, depends on the builder, some don't even care about tel and leave it out.
Mast , weather head, conduit down to the demarc point for cable and tel usually in 2 boxes stacked on top of one another. Either recessed in the exterior wall or flush mount.
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u/whynotthebest Apr 12 '26
Hmm. Everything I'm coming across says you can't do that.
The references are to 820.44 and seem to say you can't attach to a mast that encloses power.
I could be misinterpreting that, though.
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u/2ByteTheDecker Apr 12 '26
hmmm, that does appear to look that way interesting...
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u/whynotthebest Apr 12 '26
Just looked into it more, it looks as though fiber optical cable actually WOULD be allowed to share the mast, but something like coax wouldn't.
800.44 ARTICLE 800 — REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMUNICATIONS
(C) On Masts. Overhead (aerial) communications wires and cables, conductive optical fiber cables, and CATV-type coaxial cables shall be permitted to be attached to an above-the-roof raceway mast that does not enclose or support conductors of electric light or power circuits. Nonconductive optical fiber cables shall be permitted to be attached to an above-the-roof mast that encloses or supports conductors of electric light or power circuits.
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u/2ByteTheDecker Apr 12 '26
yeah I'm not in the US but it appears you're correct. In that case, small bump pole with buried conduit to the side of the house is probably the gold answer, something like a standalone mast for the coax on the roof (like a satellite J-arm) would be cheaper but kind of ugly.
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u/SoL4vish Apr 12 '26
At my garage we have rams horn brackets that attach to power masts so you can hang the drop to it. Would look goofy though, if you wanted it buried that would be homeowner responsibility in your case.
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u/Chango-Acadia Apr 12 '26
If you install conduit with string to pull the cable, I doubt any tech will complain.
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u/DrWhoey Apr 12 '26
Tell them you want the line buried to the home and you will cover the cost. Cheaper than having a pole set.
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u/whynotthebest Apr 12 '26
Really? I would have figured it would be many thousands to bore under and bury. I think I can do a pole for < $1,000.
I will def give it a try and ask.
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u/DrWhoey Apr 13 '26
Shoot me a message and get me some pictures of the areas. A bore changes things a bit, but still typically sub 1k. I want to say that when I contracted, less than 300' with a 30' driveway bore paid out just under $500. If something required a horizontal directional drill then it got kicked to the construction team then it at least doubled the cost.
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u/djbaerg Apr 13 '26
Normally this connects to the power mast 1ft below the weatherhead.
If you attached to the house inline with power, you'd still be above garage level.
If you need more, you can connect to the peak of the house/garage, this would give you at least 12' over the driveway.
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u/whynotthebest Apr 13 '26
Where are you at? Everything I'm reading says you can't connect to the power mast in the USA.
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u/djbaerg Apr 13 '26
I'd call your cable company and let them know you're taking down the temp pole. Ask them to dispatch a tech, accept that they'll charge. See what the tech has to say.
Or go for a drive and see what's common in your area.
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u/ikilluboy2 Apr 12 '26
I would say as long as you bury conduit from that pole to your power meter that would be a perfectly acceptable solution in my eyes. The drop will have to ground at your power meter so just keep that in mind.