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Re: [TowerTalk] TIC-Ring Question

To: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <lists@subich.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] TIC-Ring Question
From: Mike Lyon <mike.lyon@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2022 13:46:30 -0800
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Curious, since the antenna is all metal, does that screw up the
magnetic compass at all?

-Mike

On Fri, Nov 11, 2022 at 1:38 PM Joe Subich, W4TV <lists@subich.com> wrote:
>
>
> microHAM now make a magnetic compass module (ARXC Magnetic) for
> their ARCO controller. The ARCO has programmable stops which
> based on the magnetic module should provide adequate protection
> for your feedlines.
>
> See: <https://www.microham.com/contents/en-us/d1215_ARXC.html>
>
> 73,
>
>     ... Joe, W4TV
>
> On 2022-11-11 1:11 PM, Leeson wrote:
> > I've been using a TIC ring rotator here on a big 7el 10m Yagi for the
> > past 20 years with good success, but it has a couple of well-known
> > unresolved problems: In the high winds we have on our hilltop (147 mi/h
> > 3s gust measured), it can jump a tooth on the motor or pot gear, which
> > eventually makes the direction indicator pot totally out of sync, or
> > even damages it. Since the ring rotor doesn't have physical limit
> > switches, that has permitted over-rotation that parts the coax.
> >
> > Re direction indication, has anyone had any success with alternatives
> > such as magnetic or microswitch gear tooth counters? Or a simple compass
> > module with output that a Green Heron RT-21 can read (0-5 volts)? See
> > G6EJD, KJ4JJH, K3NG. I'd like to have direction indication that mounts
> > directly at the ring or antenna boom itself, rather than through a
> > coupled gear. and it should work at zero speed.
> >
> > Second, has anyone had success with adding waterproof (IP67) limit
> > switches? Honeywell, Omron, IP67 microswitches or cheaper imports? If a
> > magnetic gear tooth sensor is used, what kind of spacing precision is
> > required? With 360 teeth, the 1° precision should be plenty for HF.
> >
> > I am aware of modifications and updates (e.g., N1CX) that may help
> > prevent gear tooth skipping, but I want something bullet-proof that
> > really gives me full confidence. Even a partial failure in a contest can
> > compromise an otherwise winning effort; in our big HC8 station, we gave
> > up on rotators and went with multiple antennas per band. But for my less
> > complex setup here at home, I intend to try to resolve both of these
> > problems when the weather permits, and am interested in hearing the
> > experiences of list folks.
> >
> > BTW, I resolved the climb-over issue with a small 3-rung steel ladder
> > mounted below it on the tower face. And if the limit switches work out,
> > I'll add them to my prop pitches, as well.
> >
> > Thanks, Dave W6NL/HC8L
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
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-- 
Mike Lyon
mike.lyon@gmail.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/mlyon
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