[HCARC] Antenna Rotor - Rate Them

[Gary and Arlene Johnson]

Dale,

EVERYTHING HELPS when you are as clueless as I am about certain things. 
EHAM helps, but when you don't know who is posting you never know whether to 
trust what is posted.  Hams without this Reflector and/or a good club are 
severely handicapped.  I just wish more members would use the Reflector, 
either to ask questions or to post accomplishments - both help - A Lot!!

Gary J
N5BAA
HCARC Secretary 2013


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dale Gaudier" <dale.gaudier at windstream.net>
To: "'Gary and Arlene Johnson'" <qltfnish at omniglobal.net>
Cc: <hcarc at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, December 10, 2012 9:56 AM
Subject: RE: [HCARC] Antenna Rotor - Rate Them


> Gary:
>
> I've only had experience with two rotors, a Hy-Gain HAM IV and a M2 Orion
> P2800PX.
>
> First, a couple of general observations:
>
> (1) You need to have an idea of how much surface area of antenna(s) you 
> will
> be turning. Trying to use a rotor rated for turning 15 sq.ft. of 
> antenna(s)
> to turn a 20 sq.ft. array will lead to early failure of the rotor. If you
> can afford it, get a rotor whose rating exceeds by a reasonable margin the
> largest array you think you might put up.
>
> (2) Generally, you get what you pay for. The more expensive rotors have
> beefier housings, will handle bigger arrays, have better control and 
> braking
> systems and more secure rotor-to-mast clamps.
>
> Now to my specific experience with the two rotors I've owned.
>
>
> Hy-Gain HAM IV:
>
> A mid-priced rotor that has been in production for many years. Used by
> thousands of hams. I've owned mine since around 1990. Uses an analog 
> control
> box. Will handle up to 15 sq.ft. of antenna(s).
>
>   Pluses:  Relatively inexpensive; gets the job done so long as you don't
> overload it. Mine still works after 22 years.
>   Minuses: Uses a 'wedge' brake, which may allow some shifting in strong
> winds; rotor-to-mast clamp not as strong as some other designs; analog
> control box is manual control only, no 'point and turn' capability. 
> Standard
> gauge rotor control line is good up to around 125 ft. Above this you need 
> a
> beefier gauge control line (more $$$).
>
>   Note: I used this rotor on and off over the past two decades to turn
> several 'tri-bander' type Yagis, primarily a Cushcraft A4S. It worked 
> fine.
> My only real issue was that I would periodically have to realign the
> antenna/mast with the rotor as it would sometimes shift after strong winds
> so that the antenna didn't point to where the controller thought it was
> pointing.
>
>
> Orion P2800PX
>
> A higher-end rotor that can handle up to 35 sq. ft. of antenna. Comes with 
> a
> supplied digital control box. Some vendors, such as Array Solutions, will
> swap out a better control box (e.g. Green Heron RT-21) for the Orion
> supplied one.
>
>   Pluses: Will turn about any full-size ham antenna array, including
> several stacked Yagis. Heavy duty castings and gearbox; sealed rotor cable
> connection; very strong rotor to mast clamp; uses worm gear drive which 
> also
> provides positive braking; 1/2 degree pointing accuracy; control box 
> allows
> both manual and point and turn capabilities along with computer control.
> Controller has speed ramp up/ramp down that causes less stress to the
> rotor/mast/antenna when starting up or ending.
>   Minuses: Expensive; may not fit inside some smaller towers.
>
>   Note: This is the rotor I currently use to turn my Force 12 Delta 6BA
> antenna. It has worked flawlessly the past year. The Green Heron 
> controller
> has multiple output voltage settings which can be used for cable runs
> greater than 200 ft. (my cable run is 650 ft.) This controller can be
> programmed for use with other manufacturers' rotors.
>
> Other rotor manufacturers you might consider are Yaesu and Prosistel.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> 73,
>
> Dale - K4DG
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: hcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:hcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
> On Behalf Of Gary and Arlene Johnson
> Sent: Monday, December 10, 2012 12:06 AM
> To: hcarc at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [HCARC] Antenna Rotor - Rate Them
>
> Looking to the future for a rotator to pair with my newly purchased 72 
> foot
> tower.  Is anyone interested in rating the rotators they have had 
> experience
> with??  Plusses and minuses of each.  I have seen rotator cable for sale 
> on
> Ebay that has like 8 sepaate wires inside of one sheath - what is up with
> that stuff??
>
> Gary J
> N5BAA
> HCARC Secretary 2013
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