There are direct-burial variety of cables for these various needs - most
large home centers stock it. Keep the data, phone and intercom separate
from each other - run separate lines for each to minimize interference.
They can co-exist with each other in the same conduit without any problems.

I'd personally go with a wireless solution. It costs a little more up
front - but in the end makes for a much simpler installation. You can do
wireless for data, phone and intercom.

Data: 802.11b/g access point in the house, 802.11b/g ethernet card in the
PC in the workshop... depending on the equipment you can purchase
directional antennae to put in place of the little 3" antennas this stuff
comes with (most consumer grade stuff is good for about 300'). Should be
line-of-sight between house and workshop (in other words - no big hills in
the way). There are also units out there that'll send voice/data through
house electrical wiring (look up "HomePlug" on the internet).

Phone: Cordless phone with the base in the house and a remote charging unit
in the workshop will work fine. Most have sufficient range for that
distance. Should be line-of-sight between house and workshop. Can also run
voice over your electric lines (i.e., GE InstaJack).

Intercom: You can buy ones that you plug into the wall outlet and the
signal would travel through the house electrical wiring. No wires to run.
Or grab a pair of FRS base radios (not the walkie talkies - but you can also
use those as well). Some cordless phones also double as an intercom as
well.

Caveat with running this stuff through your electrical is that if the
workshop is on a different meter/service, that none of this stuff will work.
In that case, you'd have to go with wireless data, phone and that FRS
solution. Otherwise, start digging a trench and buying up 200' of 3/4" ID
conduit, couplings, PVC cement, assorted cabling, etc...

TV: Going wireless for that is tricky (and expensive). Buy some
direct-burial quad-shield RG-6 cable... same stuff the cable companies use
to bring the service from the pole to the house, doesn't require a conduit
to run through.. Other solution is to get a satellite dish for the
workshop - but that'd be another monthly bill for you.



"Ray" wrote in message
news:3d6de.2261$Ri4.664@okepread07...
I'd like to run phone, video, intercom and data out to a workshop in my
backyard that is approximately 200 feet away from the house. This would
all
be run in the same conduit.

Can I run cat 5 to use for data and intercom and run a separate dedicated
phone line. The coaxial cable would be used only for TV.

Would this be the optimum way to run, or what can be suggested ??

p.s. If this is not the appropriate forum, please direct me to it !

Thanks,