[NLRS] Elevation rotators for small stuff

[w0zq at aol.com]

Thanks for all the comments & feedback.   My initial question is that this elevation discussion is for roving and for 5.7 and 10 GHz antennas.   I have started to think about ways to move those bands onto the car mounted rotateable rover array so that I did not have to get out at each stop and set those two dishes up and take them down (in the dark and rain).   Also, I could also then use my 902/1296/2304/3456 2m IF rig for 5.7 and 10 GHz too.

Within that context some of my guiding principles for roving include:

1.  Keep it simple, keep it simple, and, keep it simple.  Yes, the PC can compute bears and point, etc, etc, etc., but that is a degree of complication that is not needed in a contest/rover environment and it carries risk (of miss functioning).   I'd rather make Q's than try to figure out why something isnt working.
2.  Yes, as someone said, you cannot assume the rover-mobile is level.  Even with small loopers on 1296 and up this can be an issue.  There has been more than one contest where I needed to move to get the 1296/2304/3456 loopers level.   
3.  While TBD, I am thinking of smaller 5.7 and 10 GHz antennas (compared to my current ones).  CW is wonderful and the fixed stations can do more of the heavy lifting.  That plus somewhat higher power is more common these days.  Somewhat smaller antennas (say 20 to 25 dB vs 25 to 30 dB) are less critical for aiming and have less stringent requirements for the az-el system.
4.  Based on input so far, it would appear that using a small 12 vdc linear actuator (aka, electric screw driver) on a moveable elevation arm may be the best approach (best is defined as low cost, effective for its intended use).  Another approach may be to find a good price on a used U100 or U110 rotator.   

73, Jon
W0ZQ