[OKDXA] HD-73 vs Ham-M rotors

[Robert Redmon]

On 1/28/2013 1:59 PM, John wrote:
> Hi Bob,
>
> The band was open for over an hour. You must have caught the end of
> it.  I have a TV type rotor now that would probably turn it, but a
> couple of good winds would probably strip out the rotor as well. Also
> want to put my Msquared 2M9SSB above it.
>
> John AF5CC
>
> On Mon, Jan 28, 2013 at 11:51 AM, Robert Redmon <k5sm.bob at gmail.com> wrote:
>> John,
>>
>> Yes, I saw you were spotted or maybe that someone had spotted you. The
>> opening must have been short, though, because when I switched on the rig (15
>> minutes after the last post on the cluster), the band was dead.
>>
>> Actually, almost any rotor will turn that MA5B. I have an old AR44 that
>> turns a small a small HyGain tri bander without issue. It doesn't have a
>> brake, though, so it does tend to weathervane in heavy wind.
>>
>> Bob
>>
>> On 1/28/2013 8:02 AM, John G. wrote:
>>> Hi Bob,
>>>
>>> Thanks, that is kind of what I was thinking myself.
>>> Nice 6m opening yesterday evening!
>>>
>>> 73 John AF5CC
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert Redmon" <k5sm.bob at gmail.com>
>>> To: "Oklahoma - DX news and information" <okdxa at mailman.qth.net>
>>> Sent: Monday, January 28, 2013 12:38 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [OKDXA] HD-73 vs Ham-M rotors
>>>
>>>
>>>> John,
>>>>
>>>> I have used both. Currently have a Ham II and a Ham III in use. The
>>>> CDE/Hygain Ham M (II, III, etc.) is a much more rugged rotator than the
>>>> HD-73; however, the HD-73 is fine for the little MA5B. If it were me, I
>>>> would opt for the Ham M in case I decided to put up more antenna in the
>>>> future. Also, parts are still readily available from MFJ/HyGain for the Ham
>>>> M.
>>>>
>>>> Bob
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 1/27/2013 7:25 PM, John G. wrote:
>>>>> I am needing a rotor for the Cushcraft MA5B I will be putting up soon,
>>>>> and have found pretty good deals on both an Alliance HD-73 and a CDE Ham-M.
>>>>> Never used either one before, although I did have a Ham III a decade ago and
>>>>> wish I had kept it.  How do these 2 compare?  Which is better?  Anyone have
>>>>> a rotor they are looking to sell that would handle a MA5B?
>>>>>
>>>>> 73 John AF5CC
>>>>> ______________________________________________________________
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>>>> --
>>>> Robert Redmon K5SM
>>>> AMA 58073
>>>>
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>> --
>> Robert Redmon K5SM
>> AMA 58073
>>
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>
Yes, the longer moment arm of the 2 meter antenna would stress a light 
rotor. With the Ham M, you can stack a lot more antenna as you feel the 
need. I think they are rated for 15 sq. ft. and the wedge brake is 
pretty strong. I have never had a Ham M type (Ham II, III, IV) rotor 
fail under any kind of normal use. I did lose a ring gear and bottom 
casting once when all but one of the 4 bolts that hold the top to the 
bottom fell out...and the last one was almost out. The resulting play 
allowed the teeth of the brake ring (molded into the bottom cover) strip 
and that allowed too much stress to be placed on the ring gear.

I missed VK3PO on 6 meters about a month ago.  I got an email from him 
the next day telling me he called me for 10 minutes (had my antenna NE!) 
while I was running a pileup of stations from the east coast. I listened 
every evening for three weeks in the hope that propagation would return, 
but never did.  Did manage to work a couple ZLs, though.

Bob

-- 
73,

Bob Redmon K5SM