[HCARC] Antenna Rotor - Rate Them

Mon Dec 10 13:44:43 EST 2012

Dale,

Famous last words - I can't imagine anything really BIG on top of the 
tower - of course a month ago I couldn't imagine a tower at all.  My how 
things change.  I wouldn't expect anything other than a tri-bander for a 
good long while.  Not sure what a 40-80 meter Yagi would even look like much 
less what it might cost.  Once I get the right choice of antennas made, with 
the right radio, and the right shack, I NEED TO GET ON THE AIR and operate 
some.

It would be very nice if things were simple for a change - getting ready for 
frigid temps tonight doesn't help - at all.  It's amazing to go from Balmy 
tropical weather to the Frozen Chosen in 24 hours.  The plants are going to 
get trashed tonight and my greenhouse needs to get buttoned up to save the 
tropicals.

Gary J
N5BAA
HCARC Secretary 2013

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gary and Arlene Johnson" <qltfnish at omniglobal.net>
To: "Dale Gaudier" <dale.gaudier at windstream.net>
Cc: <hcarc at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, December 10, 2012 11:42 AM
Subject: Re: [HCARC] Antenna Rotor - Rate Them

> 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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>>
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>
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> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
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> Internal Virus Database is out of date.
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