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[TowerTalk] Problems with YAESU Rotor

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Subject: [TowerTalk] Problems with YAESU Rotor
From: kb0pyo@rconnect.com (Mark Brown)
Date: Sat, 13 Feb 1999 16:43:11 -0600
Hi Mike & the group
        I have a Yaesu g800 that I have had to replace R2 & R3 at
least 4 times, the last time I also had to realign the
internal potentiometer which had spun inside its gear. I
will NEVER buy another Yaesu rotor, their product is junk &
the lack of service manuals and the attitude of their
service dept has convinced me to look elsewhere.
                Mark


Mike Holley wrote:
> 
> 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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