Could indeed be the cap.
Also inspect the rotor control cable (as much of it as you can safely see
close-up)...if the cable is 25 years old, there's a good chance the outer
jacket is cracked and leaking, causing the inner copper wires to corrode.
The rotor motor wants around 12-20VDC to turn it...if your wires have gone
high-resistance, the motor isn't getting the voltage it needs.
The pinouts on the rotor controller are
PINS 1-2-3 rotor direction, 0-500 ohms
PINS 4-5 DC motor, approx +/- 12-20VDC
You can substitute any old DC power supply (1A or better) and ohm meter to
test/replace the controller
GL es 73
Dan
K0DAN
-----Original Message-----
From: Mitchell, Dennis C
Sent: June 28, 2013 10:35
To: ni3p@comcast.net ; towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Rotor problems and guy replacement
Change the large capacitor...
Mitch Mitchell
Alion Science & Technology
306 Sentinel Dr., Suite 300
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701
(240) 646-3604
-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of
ni3p@comcast.net
Sent: Friday, June 28, 2013 11:31 AM
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Cc: Steve Oksala
Subject: [TowerTalk] Rotor problems and guy replacement
Help! My friendly manager at Ham Radio Outlet recommended you guys as the
best place for good advice ...
I have a problem with my HF antenna system. It is a Rohn 25 tower at 50
feet; the one antenna is a Force 12 C3 seven element beam. My rotor is a
Yaesu G-800DXA. The cable has been there for about 25 years, the antenna
about six years, and the rotor about four years.
The problem is with the Yaesu rotor system. For the last few months, it
does not appear to be operating properly. The symptoms are
~ It turns very slowly, and seems to "pulse" rather than rotating smoothly;
~ the speed control seems to have no effect, and the pre-set control does
not work.
~ it stops when encountering even the lightest branch on a nearby tree. (I
am waiting for the tree guy now). It also sometimes, but not always, will
rotate over only a limited range - this range can vary from time to time -
without encountering a branch. It seems worse in the rain.
So it could be the rotor, the control unit, or the cable (with its
connectors at either end) . So my question is - how can I determine which
part of the system is at fault without replacing everything? And if I do
decide I need to replace it, is there a better choice than the Yaesu
product? I have no intention of putting any more of a load on it than the
C3.
Separately, I have been advised that I should look at replacing the current
guys, which were installed when the tower was originally "planted' around
1985. They are currently guyed into trees, which has not been a problem.
(Ground guying would be better, but that has spousal problems :)). I do need
to do something about at least two of them (guys are at 25 and 50 feet)
because the tree needs to be cut out - I am looking at putting a steel post
in the ground near that location and using that. However it has been so
long since I did it that I do not know what the best approach is (wire of
Phillystran) and what other components I might need. A simple tutorial
would be great, but I have not found one on the web.
Would appreciate any help I can get on these issues. thanks in advance,
Steve Oksala
NI3P
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: towertalk-request@contesting.com
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Sent: Friday, June 28, 2013 12:01:09 AM
Subject: TowerTalk Digest, Vol 126, Issue 71
Send TowerTalk mailing list submissions to
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To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
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When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than
"Re: Contents of TowerTalk digest..."
Today's Topics:
1. Re: What rotor should I use (David Gilbert)
2. Question for list administrator (John)
3. Re: What rotor should I use (Oops) (K8RI)
4. Luso towers (Drax Felton)
5. Going for it! (K8RI)
6. Re: Question for list administrator (Tom Osborne)
7. Re: Question for list administrator (Neil Goodell Jr)
8. Anyone with bucket truck / lift in Detroit Metro? (Mario)
9. Mast material (mike stokes)
10. Re: Going for it! (Larry Loen)
11. Re: Mast material (Grant Saviers)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Thu, 27 Jun 2013 09:59:56 -0700
From: David Gilbert <xdavid@cis-broadband.com>
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] What rotor should I use
Message-ID: <51CC6F8C.7060007@cis-broadband.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Just look at the physics of it. Whipping of the elements represents
stored energy, just as in a spring. If that energy is released at the
end of travel it adds to the momentum of the elements that would
otherwise be due only to their mass. I'm not saying that aluminum
elements don't whip, but any antenna with lots of whip is going to put
more stress on a rotator than an antenna with less whip ... assuming the
masses are equivalent.
By the way, given the material properties of fiberglass versus aluminum,
and without knowing the exact figures, I wouldn't be surprised to learn
that fiberglass elements also have more mass than comparable aluminum
elements.
73,
Dave AB7E
On 6/27/2013 9:38 AM, Steve Dyer wrote:
Any large beam, fiberglass tube or aluminum is going to potentially whip
in wind. I've never seen any compelling evidence a SteppIR causes any more
forces at the rotator than an *equivalently* sized Al beam.
73,
Steve
________________________________
From: Joe Nuccio <k4nyy@yahoo.com>
To: Chris Pinholster <k4win@mac.com>
Cc: "towertalk@contesting.com" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2013 5:29 AM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] What rotor should I use
Hi Chris,
Thanks for the input and your experience.
The concern seems to that the 36' elements on the SeppIR start 'whipping'
back and
forth while the antenna is being rotated which puts a lot of stress on the
gears when it
comes to a stop. Apparently, this 'whipping' action is not of a concern on
large beams
made out of aluminum.
73, Joe K4NYY
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Thu, 27 Jun 2013 13:40:11 -0400
From: John <jh.graves@verizon.net>
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Question for list administrator
Message-ID: <51CC78FB.6090306@verizon.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
I am receiving 2 copies of messages to the board. Am I entered twice as
a member or have I requested multiple copies unknowingly?
John / WA1JG
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Thu, 27 Jun 2013 14:01:16 -0400
From: K8RI <K8RI-on-TowerTalk@tm.net>
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] What rotor should I use (Oops)
Message-ID: <51CC7DEC.3060705@tm.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
There is a fully loaded StepIR (40 through 6 meters) about two blocks
from me and I believe he is using either the Ham IV or tail twister.
He monitors this list occasionally and might comment.
Though I'd better check with him to be sure.
If my memory holds for 5 minutes, instead of the ham series he is using
an Orion 2800?
73
Roger (K8RI)
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Thu, 27 Jun 2013 14:50:41 -0400
From: "Drax Felton" <draxfelton@gmail.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] Luso towers
Message-ID: <00a201ce7367$39a1bdd0$ace53970$@com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Has anyone ever installed a Luso tower?
I'd like to ask you some questions off list.
Starting with how did you off load the shipping container?
Drax kb3x
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Thu, 27 Jun 2013 17:12:45 -0400
From: K8RI <K8RI-on-TowerTalk@tm.net>
To: "towertalk@contesting.com" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] Going for it!
Message-ID: <51CCAACD.5050906@tm.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
I decided to bite the bullet and get a contractor for the tower. I had
planned on doing a lot, but it's going to be some time before I get a
lot of use out of my left arm. I did have a volunteer to dig the hole,
but the contractor will haul away the dirt, fix the ruts in the yard,
give me a quote on the rebar cage and get the concrete poured, as well
as taking it down at its present location and bringing it home.
Yah, it will cost more, but I'll save nearly a $1000 by not having to
pump the concrete. In the end the cost isn't much more and money saved
was enough to get my wife to agree to the trucks in the North yard.
BTW I finally found the reason for the strokes. It took wearing a
monitor for a few days, but the finally discovered that my heart goes
into Afib which can cause clots in the one chamber. When it goes back
into rhythm, it squirts out those clots which can migrate to the brain,
They (Cardiologist, Neurologist, and Family Dr) figure they can
prevent that.
Now if they'd discovered that a year ago, I would still be climbing
towers and flying airplanes. Still there is a good chance they can
prevent another occurrence...I hope. Still, life carries no guarantees.
73,
Roger (K8RI)
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Thu, 27 Jun 2013 18:24:45 -0700
From: "Tom Osborne" <w7why@frontier.com>
To: "Towertalk" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Question for list administrator
Message-ID: <CDF334B0BA6E4FD992CC2236279022E7@Tom>
Hi John
I only see 1 copy here. Must be something in your provider. 73
Tom W7WHY
I am receiving 2 copies of messages to the board. Am I entered twice as
a member or have I requested multiple copies unknowingly?
John / WA1JG
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Thu, 27 Jun 2013 21:41:21 -0400
From: Neil Goodell Jr <neil.goodell@myfairpoint.net>
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Question for list administrator
Message-ID: <51CCE9C1.9030100@myfairpoint.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
I always receive two copy's also...
never thought nothing of it, until
John mentioned it...
Neil / AE1P
On 6/27/2013 9:24 PM, Tom Osborne wrote:
Hi John
I only see 1 copy here. Must be something in your provider. 73
Tom W7WHY
I am receiving 2 copies of messages to the board. Am I entered twice as
a member or have I requested multiple copies unknowingly?
John / WA1JG
_______________________________________________
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TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Thu, 27 Jun 2013 22:04:42 -0400
From: "Mario" <marionow@gmail.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] Anyone with bucket truck / lift in Detroit Metro?
Message-ID: <05ea01ce73a3$dbd47340$937d59c0$@com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Helllo,
I need to install my HF LDPA on the new 60ft tower . Looking for someone
with a bucket truck / lift for hire in Detroit Metro.
Please contact me directly for details.
73,
Mario
KC8P
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Thu, 27 Jun 2013 23:35:39 -0400
From: mike stokes <mike9v@gmail.com>
To: "Tower and HF antenna construction topics."
<towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] Mast material
Message-ID:
<CAF3X6dKn6NOdxpm4y+ijx59gm68U-K6U_vD8oQyA9hHmnVPmUA@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
I have a line one some used masts. Both aluminum and steel. Is there
an easy way to determine if they are actually tubing or pipe ? or
what type f material they are made of ? The are from the estate of an
SK so not much help there.
Thanks in advance.
--
Mike Stokes
KK9V
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Thu, 27 Jun 2013 20:50:00 -0700
From: Larry Loen <lwloen@gmail.com>
To: K8RI <K8RI-on-TowerTalk@tm.net>
Cc: "towertalk@contesting.com" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Going for it!
Message-ID:
<CAJRedisSiR=01+fy9zmnq_fa2oNJgccDox4VNYV2RiD+JM4TAQ@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
You will almost certainly also have a well-levelled tower. That's worth
something, too.
My contractor gave me a dead level base for my 72 footer, a fact I
appreciate every day.
Larry Wo0Z
On Thu, Jun 27, 2013 at 2:12 PM, K8RI <K8RI-on-TowerTalk@tm.net> wrote:
I decided to bite the bullet and get a contractor for the tower. I had
planned on doing a lot, but it's going to be some time before I get a lot
of use out of my left arm. I did have a volunteer to dig the hole, but
the
contractor will haul away the dirt, fix the ruts in the yard, give me a
quote on the rebar cage and get the concrete poured, as well as taking it
down at its present location and bringing it home.
Yah, it will cost more, but I'll save nearly a $1000 by not having to pump
the concrete. In the end the cost isn't much more and money saved was
enough to get my wife to agree to the trucks in the North yard.
BTW I finally found the reason for the strokes. It took wearing a monitor
for a few days, but the finally discovered that my heart goes into Afib
which can cause clots in the one chamber. When it goes back into rhythm,
it
squirts out those clots which can migrate to the brain, They
(Cardiologist, Neurologist, and Family Dr) figure they can prevent that.
Now if they'd discovered that a year ago, I would still be climbing
towers and flying airplanes. Still there is a good chance they can
prevent
another occurrence...I hope. Still, life carries no guarantees.
73,
Roger (K8RI)
______________________________**_________________
______________________________**_________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/**mailman/listinfo/towertalk<http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk>
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Thu, 27 Jun 2013 20:59:52 -0700
From: Grant Saviers <grants2@pacbell.net>
To: mike stokes <mike9v@gmail.com>
Cc: "Tower and HF antenna construction topics."
<towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Mast material
Message-ID: <51CD0A38.9060008@pacbell.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Tubing usually means the OD is measured in fractional inch increments,
usually 1/16", eg 2", 2.25" etc.
Pipe usually means conforming to the Inch Pipe Standards - the inch
"size" e.g 2" is not 2" od or id. One reason is the wall thickness
varies with the "schedule" designation - most commonly schedule 40, but
schedule 10, 20, 40, 80, 160 and others are available. The od's for all
schedule sizes of a given IPS pipe size are the same so they can be
threaded with the same dies. Look it up on wikipedia for the id and od
numbers.
So if you measure, you will know tubing vs pipe, but not the alloy or
temper, which is what really matters for tubing. Sch 40 pipe is
generally a bad choice for masts (unless lightly loaded) because of the
way it is made and the uncontrolled steel alloy used. A file test can
be done on steel tubing - if it's hard then you have something that is
better than sch 40. Drill pipe surplus is common in some locales. It
is hardened and a better grade steel. If you can see a weld bead inside
a tube then it is not the grade usually used for masts, which is smooth
inside as it is DOM - Drawn Over Mandrel after welding the seam, and
then heat treated.
Without some instruments, it's almost impossible to determine what the
aluminum alloy and temper is of an unmarked piece of Al.
Definitely caveat emptor!
Grant KZ1W
On 6/27/2013 8:35 PM, mike stokes wrote:
I have a line one some used masts. Both aluminum and steel. Is there
an easy way to determine if they are actually tubing or pipe ? or
what type f material they are made of ? The are from the estate of an
SK so not much help there.
Thanks in advance.
------------------------------
Subject: Digest Footer
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------------------------------
End of TowerTalk Digest, Vol 126, Issue 71
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