Drilling a hole in the mast to run wires

[whatknot]

I have a deck stepped mast and need to run wires for an antenna and anchor light. I was told by the previous owner that the mast has to come off to do this. I was watching white spot pirates and she has a hole drilled at the bottom of the mast for the wires to come out. I remember a boat I had years ago had the same thing. Is there any reasons I should not drill a, let's say 3/4" hole in the bottom of the mast? I'll try to post a pic

[Scott Berg]

Wires often exit the side of the mast and pass through a 'swan neck' like this:

Kato Marine

[roverhi]

The wires on my mast exit through a plastic through hull fitting installed backwards, otherwise hose threads on the outside of the mast, run through a short piece of hose and through the deck with another backwards through hull. Works great and is not in the way. Running wires out the bottom of the mast step is an invitation for a leak and eventually rotten deck core.