[TowerTalk] Re:Rotator Band Aids

[K7GCO@aol.com]

In a message dated 8/21/00 5:12:28 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
G3SEK@ifwtech.com writes:

<< 
 
 K7GCO wrote:
 > 
 > I have a way to easily speed up conventional rotators also.   I increase 
the 
 >diameter of the small gear on the motor shaft and decreased the size of the 
 >adjoining gear of such ratios to get any new rpm I want.  The same shaft to 
 >shaft spacing remaines.  I frequently use a smaller beam than what it was 
 >designed for and have yet to have a problem.   I even speed up the small TV 
 >rotators the same way.  4 RPM for even a large TV antenna is no problem.  
 > 
 It's also possible to speed up a conventional rotator that has an AC
 motor by feeding it from a variable-frequency inverter instead of the
 usual 60/50Hz. The speed can be continuously varied both above and below
 normal.
 
 The usual warnings about sudden stops and reversals from high speed
 still apply, of course.
 
 73 from Ian G3SEK          Editor, 'The VHF/UHF DX Book'
                           'In Practice' columnist for RadCom (RSGB)
                            http://www.ifwtech.com/g3sek
  >>
That's a great concept as long as it's variable with controlled and smooth 
changes.  the stepped switch I used was all in one--speed and on and off . On 
the tipped beams concept I've had favorable results which added another point 
of interest to some contacts. It removed the question of "could it have been 
better with the tip?  k7gco

--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com