[SEDXC] [sedxc] Rohn 45 Project. Looking for suggestions

Wed Mar 29 09:06:56 EDT 2017

Dave,

Concerning the install of connectors on your rotor and control box to help
protect against lighting damage, I concur fully and have been doing it for
years of installs across Ohio, Indiana, and now GA.

Some years ago I moved the Fourlanders Contest team (W4NH) toward a major
rotor systems and rotor cables modification that has saved us tons of time
during set-up and tear downs for both VHF-UHF contests, EME contests, and
Field Day operations. I also applied this strategy for rotors used for the
Forsyth Co. ARES and Sawnee Amateur Radio Association (SARA) Field Day
operations.

The Fourlanders have used both 8 wire rotors (Hygain, Alliance, etc.) and 6
wire rotors (Yaesu, Kenpro AZ-EL) through the years and have hundreds and
hundreds of feet of rotor cables in various lengths (25', 50', 100') on
orange storage reels acquired from Home Depot. What I did was to apply
Hopkins weatherproof trailer/towing connectors to all rotors, control boxes,
and spliced onto rotor cables. No more messing around trying to get those 6
or 8 wires on rotor screw terminals while working in the rain, getting the
colors of the wires mixed up on the terminals, etc !!

The Hopkins connectors being used are the 6 pole connector sets (47995) for
the 6 wire rotors and cables. For the 8 pin rotors and cables we again use
the Hopkins 47995 connector set, along with a Hopkins 47965  2 pole
connector. These "Hoppy" connectors can be acquired from local sources such
as Northern Tool and O'Reilly Auto stores for about $5.00 a pair. I have
purchased bulk quantities in the past from AceHardware.com.  And, the
Wireman sells both 6 pole and 8 pole "Hopkins-like" connector pairs, but I
have always considered them too pricey ($10-12), especially in the
quantities I have consumed modifying all these rotor cables and systems over
the years.

The nice thing about using this type connectors is they have a large amount
of surface area on the pins to make good connection and they are water
proof. The Male plug (the connector with 5 male pins and 1 female) has a
Vinyl skirt that acts as a water boot and covers the other connector on the
cable. That way the connector pair can be hung vertically (Obviously taped
to the tower leg to keep stress off the connection) and the boot will keep
rain from running down into the connection.  30 some years ago before
Hopkins made these connectors I was using Cinch-Jones 8 pin CCT series
connectors for the W8VP and W9ICE contest stations. The Cinch worked well,
but were not weather proof and even when taped up well still had to be
"serviced" every couple of years. 

By installing 1 each of both the male and female Hoppy connector on each of
our assortment of rotor cables used in the field, this allows us to plug
various lengths of cables together to get the length needed for an
install....just like you would when stringing electrical extension cords.  

Ron

WW8RR

W4NH  432 Band Capt.

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From: sedxc at yahoogroups.com [mailto:sedxc at yahoogroups.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2017 4:58 PM
To: sedxc at yahoogroups.com
Cc: sedxc at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [sedxc] Rohn 45 Projesct. Looking for suggestions

> On Mar 20, 2017, at 5:58 PM, Dave Thompson thompson at mindspring.com [sedxc]
<sedxc at yahoogroups.com> wrote:
> 
> 3. I have never used quick connect connectors for my T2X rotor. There are
several in the Hy-Gain rotor parts in the 2017 MFJ Catalog. I need one for
the rotor base and one at the end of the rotor cable going to the shack.
Which one do I use?
> 

I used a couple of four-pin trailer connectors for my quick disconnect. I
think I got a couple of four-pin trailer extension cables, cut them in half.

The rotator cables goes to a small NEMA box mounted on the tower, and then
the trailer connectors join and come out from there. The other connectors
attach to the bottom of the rotator. 

Went to all that trouble, and I haven't had to remove my rotator in over 15
years. 

Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
-- Wilbur Wright, 1901

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Posted by: Bill Coleman <aa4lr at arrl.net> 

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