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Re: [TowerTalk] HyGain HDR300 removal stalled due to stuck setscrew

To: al.n6ta@gmail.com, towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] HyGain HDR300 removal stalled due to stuck setscrew
From: "john@kk9a.com" <john@kk9a.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2019 10:10:16 -0400
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Yes I was thinking standard drill bits.  You could try an easyout once you
get a smaller hole but that will only help if the reason you cannot remove
it is a stripped hex.

FWIW, I had two Yaesu G-2800DXA rotators at my station in Aruba
http://www.p40a.com.  Aruba has almost constant trade winds and the
antennas rock back and forth continuously. I never had an issue other than
corrosion with either G-2800DXA and I found the control box to be easy to
use.

John KK9A

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy 7 edge, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone.


On Thu, Aug 29, 2019 at 10:00 AM <al.n6ta@gmail.com> wrote:

> I lost my love of this rotator a long time ago and I should have upgraded
> years ago!  So, if I mess it up, so be it!
>
> I assume you are suggesting a standard bit, not the reverse kind?  I will
> start with the tool on an easy clutch setting and ratchet it up as needed.
> Yeah, it is accessible but the bit needs to be about 2" or longer and I
> have
> a decent Bosch drill.
> Sure hope the Yaesu G-2800 will serve me better...
>
> Thanks,
> Al
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces@contesting.com> On Behalf Of
> john@kk9a.com
> Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2019 5:21 AM
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] HyGain HDR300 removal stalled due to stuck
> setscrew
>
> I had two HDR-300's in the 1980's and they both required frequent repairs.
> I
> do not remember the set screw that you're referring to. I assume that
> corrosion has locked it in position. If it is really an Allen set screw is
> should be easy to start with a drill bit that fits inside the socket and
> then go go larger until it is free. Try not to exceed the minor diameter of
> the thread if you wish to reuse the platform.  Hopefully you have straight
> access to this area and a good cordless drill.
>
> GL
> John KK9A
>
>
>
> al.n6ta wrote:
>
>
> I need to remove my old HyGain HDR300 rotator from the Rohn 45 shelf.  I
> bought something new.  Stuck hardware is keeping me from getting it down.
> I
> may need to drill out a setscrew.  If you are interested, read on.
>
>
>
> The rotor shaft is attached to the 'platform' to which the mast clamps
> mount.  The rotator cannot be taken from the tower if the platform cannot
> be
> removed to allow the motor's shaft to drop back through the shelf hole.
> The
> motor mounts below the shelf and the platform above the shelf.  The mast is
> not putting any weight on the platform/shaft now.  The clamps are sloppy
> loose and will come off.  Not the platform.
>
>
>
> The platform is held to the shaft with a key and a setscrew  The setscrew
> is
> orthogonal to the shaft.  It is a 1/4x20 screw that should take a 1/8' hex
> key.  The screw looks like stainless since it is shiny.  I have sprayed it
> with WD40 and that did not help.  I sprayed it good with BP Blaster and let
> it sit a few minutes while up the tower.  Still not loose.  Now, the hex
> key
> seems to be 'rolling' its edges.  'Slipping' in the setscrew hex hole.  I'd
> like to think if I get a new Allen wrench of high quality, it will work.  I
> will try. But no way to know if the screw is also compromised and no longer
> having a good hex hole.  Looking at it from 6" away without the 'good
> glasses'.
>
>
>
> So, if I had to drill out this screw or take some unusual measures, does
> anyone know how to do it?  Like, start with what size drill and move to
> what
> next size, etc.  Drill inside the hole in the screw or start bigger and
> outside the hex hole.  Or, grab the platform with a come along and try to
> pull it off?  I will be doing this from above and prefer to know what I am
> doing before fumbling more than I have already.  I doubt I can remove the
> shelf with rotator/platform attached due to its size.  I have not tried
> that
> yet.
>
>
>
> Anybody out there that has had to deal with a similar problem?
>
>
>
> It's always the easy things that curse at me when I start the job..
>
>
>
> TNX de Al-N6TA
>
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>
>
>
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