[Boatanchors] CDE CDR rotators

[Glen Zook]

The "Ham" series of rotors, Ham-M, Ham-II, Ham-III, and Ham-IV all have the same, basic, motor assembly.  The only major changes made, over the decades, to these motors is going to stainless steel on the terminal boards (on the bottom of the motor assembly) and to an improved "ring gear" in the later models.  The new "ring gear" is perfectly usable in the earlier motor assemblies and is much less likely to fracture as the earlier "pot metal" ring gears used in the earlier versions.


The control boxes changed in the various Ham- models but all can be used with all versions.  That is, the control boxes are interchangeable.


There are a couple of rotor models that are heavier duty than the Ham- series including the "Tail Twister".  There are also several models of rotors that have less capabilities than the Ham- series.  Those rotors use exactly the same "bell" housing for the motor assemblies but do not have the large brake assembly mounted on the bottom of the motor assembly.  Those models do use control boxes that are different from the Ham- series.  The TR-44 model does use the meter movement control box but does not have the brake.  The AR-2 / AR-22 series use the "clickitity clack" type of control box where there is a set of contacts, in the motor assembly, the send a pulse down to the control box which activates a mechanical plunger that then causes the indicator to move.  There are several very different physical "layout" version of the control boxes but all of those control boxes work with any of the AR-2 / AR-22 type motor assemblies.


The rotor versions without a brake tend to allow the antenna to drift in the wind.  There are procedures, very simple, that allow re-calibration of the direction indicator, in the control box, to be again accurate.


Over the years, there have been various model number changes, etc.  But, the vast majority of CDE / CDR rotators fall into the AR-22, TR-4, and Ham- series.


The main thing that goes wrong with those rotators is the failure of the "pot metal" ring gear and, especially, the failure of the non-polarized starting / running capacitor in the control boxes.  I have 2-each AR-22 units that are at least 60-years old (they were used when I got them).  One of the units is not in use right now but the other is turning my VHF Yagi antennas on my "short tower".  


http://nebula.wsimg.com/58d5f90d22efd3888e17fbc18f4122e7?AccessKeyId=D1250C433DB440D6B60D&disposition=0&alloworigin=1



 Glen, K9STH 
Website: http://k9sth.net

      From: Paul Kraemer <elespe at lisco.com>
 To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net 
 Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2017 10:24 PM
 Subject: [Boatanchors] CDE CDR rotators
   
Can someone please explain the differences between HAM II, HAM III, HAM M and other rotators by CDR / CDE.
I have a HAM (no suffix indicated on label) I’m trying to check out and not finding any manual for that one.
It is a simple square box control with large direction meter that covers most of the enclosure front.  Both the box and the rotator have two four lug terminal strips arranged one above the other and no numbers on any terminals
Thanks for any help