[50mhz] Radio Shack TV rotors

[Mike WE0H]

Take it apart and use some good synthetic lube on whatever there is 
inside that could use lubrication. I used one for years on a 28' 144mc 
beam and had zero issues with it. Otherwise they don't cost much so 
maybe buy a new one, take it apart before installing it and make sure 
there is enough good quality lube inside to prevent or lessen wear. 
Mobil 1 makes a darn good grease that works in sub zero weather and 
cooking hot summer temps too. It might be put together nearly dry inside 
so lubing your existing rotator might make it last many more years.

Mike
WE0H


John Geiger wrote:
> I have a Radio Shack TV rotor which has been in use for around 10 years, and
> is currently turning my 2m and 70cm beams.  It handles the antennas with no
> problem, but I am wondering if anyone has any ideas or experience as to the
> life expectancy of these rotors?  I realize they are intended for TV antenna
> usage-probably being rotated once per day or so.
>
> It has had a problem with becoming stuck occassionally.  The first time it
> happened was probably 4 years ago.  I took a large wrench and hit it a few
> times, and that seemed to unstick it.  It worked for a couple of years until
> it became stuck again.  When that happened I hit it again and that time
> sprayed some WD40 underneater the rubber boot on it into the rotor track.
> This worked again, and I have had to do that a couple of times recently, but
> it would always go back to working after a little while when the oil
> penetrated through the rust or whatever.
>
> The sticking seems to happen more often now as it happened during the June
> VHF contest a couple of weeks ago, and then again today.  It is working
> again, but I am wondering if it is reaching the end of its life.  I have
> been rotating it much more recently as I have been playing on the satellites
> again and have to move the antennas to follow the sats.
>
> So what can one expect as to the useful life of these rotors?  Is it time to
> replace it or is something else likely going wrong with it?
>
>
> 73s John AA5JG
> (ex: W5TD, NE0P)
> 6M WAS #1275, 6m VUCC #1260
> 2m VUCC #615, Satellite VUCC #129