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

Wed Mar 29 14:17:53 EDT 2017

If people install cables and wiring correct none of this is a problem.

My stuff has been plugged in since 1998.  I have NEVER had control box or 
rotor damage, and my towers get hit virtually every storm. The coaxial 
cables are connected and remain connected, the rotors and control lines are 
connected and remain so.

I don't even have MOV's or protection on rotor lines.

Most problems are caused by how people do things in the wiring. They "solve" 
wiring mistakes by unplugging.

73 Tom

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ron Rogers" <ww8rr at charter.net>
To: <sedxc at yahoogroups.com>
Cc: <sedxc at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2017 9:06 AM
Subject: Re: [SEDXC] [sedxc] Rohn 45 Project. Looking for suggestions

> 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.
>
>  _____
>
> 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
>
> __._,_.___
>
>  _____
>
> Posted by: Bill Coleman <aa4lr at arrl.net>
>
>  _____
>
>
>
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