[TowerTalk] Orion 2800 - Need info

[Dave Hawes]

When we lost the reflector on the 3 element 40 meter beam at N3RS 
(full size, old Hygain 403B Long John), the resultant imbalance was 
too much for the rotator, which has bitten the dust.  In fairness, 
the rotator, an Emoto 1300 MSAX, had performed flawlessly for about 4 
years.  No complaints.  It is just not designed to restrain a large 
weather vane, as it was asked to do when the reflector came off the 
beam (another story).

Repair of the Emoto is an option, but we are also considering the 
Orion 2800.  As with any retrofit, installation difficulty depends 
upon how much rework of the existing hardware will need to be done.  
To determine this, we need the following information for the Orion 
2800:

1.  Dimensions/geometry of the hole pattern for the rotor mounting
shelf.  (This will tell us if we need to drop the shelf for
redrilling.  Incidentally, we understand that a new version of the 
2800 will be introduced shortly that has six mounting bolts versus 
the present four.  For now, any information at all would be helpful 
in this regard.)

2.  Height from bottom of rotator to bottom of mast, assuming that
the mast settles down in the clamp and rests on the top of the 
rotator.  (This will tell us if we need to move the shelf up or down 
from its current location.  The tower is AB-105, so to relocate the 
shelf will require drilling some new holes in the AB-105 verticals.  
Cutting the mast is not an option for this particular installation.)

We have requested this information from M-Squared (e-mail and two 
telephone calls), but so far all we've managed to get is a brochure, 
which gives none of the necessary information.  You wouldn't think it 
would be this hard to get simple information.

Textual data would be very helpful.  A scanned image of the 
dimensioned drawings would be even better.  (The M-Squared web page 
has a drawing of the 2800, but no dimensions of use.)

Any help anybody?

Thanks in advance.

73 - Dave, N3RD
Co-Captain, N3RS Contesting Team

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