I've used a HAM 4 to turn my 144MHz EME system for at least 9 years, taken it
on expeditions, etc and it still works fine - in spite of northern GM gales.
It's currently on a short 35ft tower with 4 x 9ele 144 MHz long yagis. Two of
the yagis broke in the gales this winter. The rotator is still ok. Drawbacks
are the sensitivity to voltage drop on a long run to the tower and 'jumpy'
direction readings as the pot gets old. But this is all easily fixed.
On the other hand, my G800 Yaesu rotator, up a 60ft tower, with a tribander, a
7ele for 70MHz and a 5 ele for 50MHz has recently had a fracture on the top of
the casing. Maybe this was due to overtightening, but I wouldn't think so. Just
a poor casting, by the look of it.
The HAM 4 is a brute for its size and would be my recommendation every time.
Stewart
GM4AFF
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