[AFMUG] SAF POE/Fiber question

[Craig Baird]

I've got a few SAF Integra links that we'll be doing shortly.  We're  
planning to run fiber to the radios.  I'm wondering what's the best  
method for powering the radios?

From what I gather, SAF has some sort of new kit where you can send  
power up to the radio on 2-wire DC cable.  At the top, near the radio,  
there is a pigtail that takes power off the 2-wire cable, and puts it  
on another cable with an RJ-45 for plugging into the ethernet port on  
the radio.

I have a couple of issues with this method.  First of all, it appears  
they use a Bulgin outdoor coupler to make the transition from 2-wire  
cable to CAT5 cable.  I've found those Bulgin couplers to be less than  
reliable over the long term with regard to water ingress.  So that  
makes me nervous.  My second issue is lightning protection over the DC  
cable.  I'm sure there are products that are designed to protect DC  
circuits.  What would you guys recommend for protecting a DC circuit  
running up the tower?

Overall, I'm wondering what would be wrong with just running shielded  
CAT5e up to the radio for power purposes only?  If we did that, we  
could just use the WB surge protectors.  Is there some advantage to  
running 2-wire vs. CAT5 that I'm not seeing?

Craig