[TowerTalk] "K" factor gets sillier

[Pete Smith]

At 01:46 PM 7/22/00 -0700, Kurt wrote:
...
>I think the change you reported is good for Yaesu rotator buyers, it
>probably represents a reasonable assesment of how it is, and should
>result in fewer failures from that rotator family. 

Gee, Kurt, I'm not with you on this one.  In another message to the list, I
described a real-world situation, where the K-factor as computed by Yeasu's
new method would require a G-2800 to turn a C-3.  That can't be right!  By
the old calculation, a G-800 would be enough.  The cost difference is 3:1.

FWIW, I'm currently turning 66 lbs (30 kg) with a radius of 22 feet (7m),
for an old K-factor of 210 (within the G-1000 spec).  If you count in the
weight of my mast, however, the K is 385, and I need a G-2800.  If I follow
their advice and don't exceed 60 percent of the rated K factor, then I'm
not sure even the G-2800 is beefy enough.  Prop-pitch, anyone?

I just think it's shoddy spec-manship to throw in a mast weight fudge
factor that has no real physical significance and then warn you not to
exceed 60 percent of the new reduced K-factor!



73, Pete Smith N4ZR

The World Contest Station Database 
is back up and running at
http://www.qsl.net/n4zr 



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