Yes the RAK (or big RAK) model rotators are well suited for side mounts as
they are easily mounted on a standoff mast... very easy to make - 2 lengths
of angle iron, 2 short pieces of pipe and a sleeve bearing (I use a chunk
of fiberglass for that). No need to mount inside with the chain etc - just
adds complexity....
On Mon, Aug 13, 2018 at 5:22 PM terry burge <ki7m@comcast.net> wrote:
> This sounds like something that could be used with a side mounted
> beam/tribander/5bander for enabling it to rotate at least 90-120 degrees or
> something like that. I have been thinking of trying something like that to
> get more use out of any side mounted beam I come up with. Having some type
> of bearing or slip joint with the pipe mounting the beam and of course some
> kind of bicycle type chain to transfer the rotor action. Probably be able
> to mount the rotor in the tower like my Rohn 55.
>
> Terry
> KI7M
>
>
> Yes, I do worry about the side and down force on the tower and plan to
> come up with cable support for that issue. Might even be able to use the
> horizontal extension for anti-rotation of the tower with guywires on the
> extension.
> But I'm not certain what 'RAK' is referring to.
>
> > On August 13, 2018 at 3:01 PM Don Moman VE6JY <ve6jy.1@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Hi Gary;
> >
> > Just a small correction - the Alfa Spid is actually made in Poland but
> with
> > much input from us in Canada (Alfa Radio). For mounting outside of a
> tower
> > like you describe, it's something the RAK can handle easily. They have
> two
> > significant bearings and can take a lot of side loading before we'd call
> it
> > "abuse".
> >
> > You'd know which one I'd suggest..... but there might be bias involved!
> >
> > 73 Don
> > VE6JY
> >
> > On Mon, Aug 13, 2018 at 8:58 PM Gary Smith <Gary@ka1j.com> wrote:
> >
> > > Folks,
> > >
> > > Thank you for the direct and list,
> > > informative replies. So many direct
> > > replies and I am grateful & I'll reply to
> > > each directly but I'll use the list to
> > > offer a global reply right now.
> > >
> > > There was nothing but universal praise for
> > > the Green Heron controller so that makes
> > > it a done deal as regards controllers. I
> > > now have to decide on the rotor.
> > >
> > > At this point I will only be driving a 6
> > > meter 6M7JHV till next summer. It weighs
> > > 18 pounds. The way I have used the
> > > tailtwister is bolted to a base and the
> > > antenna attached to the mast above. I've
> > > been informed this is bad practice and I
> > > need to use a thrust bearing to not abuse
> > > the rotor, even with light loads. I knew
> > > to use them for heavy loads but just
> > > learned something new. I'll make an
> > > arrangement in my roof tripod to make this
> > > so.
> > >
> > > So now, considering the desire to have a
> > > rapid rotation (using this 6M beam), a
> > > Prop Pitch is not in the hunt but based on
> > > the many replies, I have two options that
> > > I would do well to decide from that come
> > > at a cost effective package from Green
> > > Heron; the Yaesu G-2800 and the Alpha Spid
> > > RAK.
> > >
> > > Both of these rotors get about the same
> > > reviews on eHam. I like that the Alpha
> > > SPid is made in Canada, Yaesu doesn't have
> > > the best tech support but they're a large
> > > company with a lot of history.
> > >
> > > Any strong caveats with either one of
> > > these before I order?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > 73,
> > >
> > > Gary
> > > KA1J
> > >
> > > > From: Gary Smith KA1J
> > > > Date: Mon Aug 13 00:13:48 EDT 2018
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > I need to replace my old Tailtwister &
> > > > control. It was stuck most of last winter
> > > > and would not free up till I manually
> > > > worked it back & forth and finally broke
> > > > it free. It still has moments of
> > > > hesitation in travel and though I can have
> > > > it rebuilt, it's 40 years old and I need a
> > > > more current controller anyway.
> > > >
> > > > I removed the almost 40 year old Hy-Gain &
> > > > replaced it with a M2 6M7JHV with 2.5 Sq
> > > > feet of loading. It is on a roof mounted
> > > > tripod. Eventually I will have a tower and
> > > > HF beam, I'm looking at beams with 13 sq
> > > > ft of wind loading and will have the 6M
> > > > above the HF antenna so 15.5 wind loading
> > > > is down the road. With that, I should
> > > > consider a rotor to handle 20 Sq ft just
> > > > to be on the safe side. I've been looking
> > > > at digital controllers that allow me to
> > > > manually choose the degree or use the
> > > > logging software to aim it.
> > > >
> > > > At this point the Green Heron combos look
> > > > affordable but looking at the Eham
> > > > reviews, the rotors aren't getting the
> > > > best marks. I'd rather get the right
> > > > rotor/controller now and be overkill for
> > > > the 6M antenna but be ready for the HF
> > > > beam a few years down the road.
> > > >
> > > > The Green Heron controllers seem to be a
> > > > good choice but I have no experience with
> > > > new rotors. I'd appreciate thoughts on a
> > > > good combo for me to look at. A highly
> > > > reliable rotor with quick rotational speed
> > > > is important to me.
> > > >
> > > > Suggestions?
> > > >
> > > > 73,
> > > >
> > > > Gary
> > > > KA1J
> > > >
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > >
> > > >
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