Hello ,
My Name is Mike and I am looking for reliability data from
present and past users of YAESU Antenna rotors ,in particular the
G-800SDX model .
I have had one in service for the last five years during which I have
had two failures of the control unit and the most recent (This month
Feb.) of a total destruction of the rotator unit due to gusts of high
winds (50/60 mph)
A brief history of the Yaesu G-800SDX
Purchased in 1994
Installed in a 70 ft Self supporting tapered tower on a rotor platform
6ft below to top of the tower ,
The antenna (One only) is a 4 element 20 mtr monoband (HAM-PRO) which
has a published wind surface area of 8.4 sq.ft. (well below the maximum
capacity of the Yaesu rotor specs of 15 sq.ft) .The antenna was attached
to the rotor with a 2 inch schedule 40 seamless aluminium heavy wall
pipe (10')and weight supported by a commercial grade ball race thrust
bearing which was installed to absorb all the vertical weight of the
antenna .
weight and balance was addressed at all times during the installation .
FAILURE No. 1
In 1995 (Less than one year after installation the controller failed to
operate and because of it's complexity (Electronic/Electrical) and No
Service manual obtainable ) had to be returned to YAESU repair
department in California .
A small DC motor and one carbon resistor were found defective and
replaced
at a cost of $80.33 Plus S&H
Failure No. 2
In 1998 the same two components failed again and had to be replaced at
a further cost of $81.40 Plus S&H
FAILURE No.3
IN 1999 within the last two weeks (Jan.Feb) it was noticed that the
antenna was wind milling during relative high wind gusts ,it was also
observed that the co-ax feed line had broken away from the feed point on
the antenna .
When the rotator was brought down an opened it was discovered that the
total electro/mechanical assembly with the one exception the small DC
drive motor was completely destroyed beyond any possibility of repair .
The only salvageable parts were ,the upper and lower housing and the
ball bearing races .
With an e mail to YAESU with a brief history of what had taken place
and to enquire if a complete internal sub assembly was available or do
I have to purchase a whole new rotator minus the controller . The reply
was that complete sub assemblies were not available but that a
replacement Rotor less the controller was .
A decision I have to make now is to I replace the Rotor or install
another brand of rotor . which will entail a lot of tower work .
I would be most interested to hear from any other YAESU G-800SDX users
that has experienced any form of problems as this will help me decide on
the next route to take .
Thank you one and all for taking the time to read this .
Respectfully
Michael Holley VE7AVM
e mail address <mholley@quik.com>
73 - Michael, VE7AVM @ VE7KIT
Message timed: 11:28 on 11 Feb 99
Message sent using WinPack V6.4
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