It depends on the mast clamp. The M2 Orion is a big rotator, but the mast
clamp design is seriously flawed, guaranteed to slip with a big load.
The G-2800 is pretty good as clamps go, but regular inspection of any
antenna/mast clamp is advisable. A friend of mine installed a G-2800 many
years ago, I think it was 15 or 20 years, and it held 16 sq ft of antennas
stacked on the mast quite nicely -- until it didn't. The mast was pinned,
but over that long period of time the nuts on the u-bolts gradually
loosened, and the mast was able to turn just enough to eventually shear off
the bolt used for pinning. Then the freewheeling began.
I don't think there's any such thing as a maintenance-free tower. It's
amazing how long my friend's rotator held the mast, but regular
inspection/tightening would have been a good idea nonetheless. As far as
rotator and mast clamps go, if you have a good system and the bolts are
torqued properly, an inspection every couple of years will probably be
enough.
73, Dick WC1M
> -----Original Message-----
> From: john@kk9a.com [mailto:john@kk9a.com]
> Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2012 10:30 AM
> To: TOWERTALK@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Yaesu Rotor Pinning Alternative
>
> I used two Yaesu G-2800 DXA rotators at P40A to turn 10m though 40m
> monobanders. The wind almost never stops in Aruba and I never had a
> failure or slippage when installing it according to the manufacture's
> specifications. Your G-1000 probably failed because it was too small
> for
> your application. Buy a big enough rotator and you don't have to worry
> about a "slippage fuse" for heavy winds.
>
> John KK9A
>
>
> To:towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject:[TowerTalk] Yaesu Rotor Pinning Alternative From:Tony
> <dxdx@optonline.net> Date:Fri, 06 Apr 2012 23:23:12 -0400
>
> All,
>
> I'll be installing a new Yaesu G-2800 rotor next week to replace a
> broken G-1000. The rotor had been making noise before it finally stopped
> turning so it's most likely mechanical failure. The mast pin did not
> shear, but there is heavy wear.
>
> I was thinking of an alternative to pinning to avoid another expensive
> failure; some sort of rubber material to grip the mast. The problem is
> that you can't apply much torque to the aluminum clamps so I'm not sure
> if it will hold. What's really needed is a steel set of replacement
> clamps.
>
> So, is anyone using a Yaesu G-2800 without a pin?
>
> Tony
>
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