[TowerTalk] What Should I Pay for Alliance HD-73-I Rotor?

[DavidC]

Thanks to all for the many helpful comments!  Sounds as though
the HD-73 is a decent rotor for $30.

I understand from the specifications that the Force C-3 at 5.6sq ft,
the KMA-1330 log-periodic at 8sq ft, Mosley Classic at 6sq ft,
all of the Tennadyne logs except perhaps the T10 & T12, and many
others in these same classes of beams should all be OK ... or am I
missing something about the 10sq ft wind load rating of the HD-73?

According to Norm's the HD-73 has a brake and is rated to
10sq. ft.  http://web.compusnet.com/shiacawn/rotors/alliance.htm

Anyone aware of mods that may strengthen what is reportedly
a weak cork-pad brake design?

When I think about a side mount I do have a good thrust bearing.
I presume I'd need one side arm for the rotor and then a second arm
about five feet up the tower side with a plate welded to it to which
the thrust bearing may be mounted.  Then the mast for the beam
could feed down through the thrust bearing, through a hole in the
plate, and then down five feet to the rotor -- eliminating lateral stress.
Does that make sense?

BTW:  Can someone tell me what the "-I" following the HD-73 means?

- Thanks! & 73, DavidC  K1YP in Hudson, FL


*** HD-73 Comments Summarized Below:

> The HD-73's go for $25-45 here in Minneapolis.    They are a light duty
rotor
> and will hold about 5-6sq ft max.    A very light braking mechanism.
> So I would say if it works OK your $30 price if a good one!
> I used the same rotator to turn a Classic 36 Mosley
> with a rotatable dipole for 40m above it. Used that
> combo for years. Yes $30 is a bargain.
>
> I would make sure the meter movement in the control
> box was protected from spikes with back to back diodes.
> Especially living in Hudson, near the lightning capital
> of the World.
>
> I turned a KT-34A for 15 years before moving last year.
> I lived on Panama City Beach 100 yds from Gulf.
> It was still working when I took them down.
>
> K1VR:  I use a small rotator like that to turn a 160 meter receiving
> loop.
>
> That's a great price.... Problem is it's an orphan rotator.... dunno if
any
> parts or repair can be had.... Maybe... check with C.A.T.S. or Normie's
> rotor repairs first. But, for $30, what can you loose? We all piss away
more
> than that on crap from the convenience stores on a weekly basis.  I used
my
> HD-73 on a TET HP43SP 4 el tribander, then on a TH7 for well over 5 yrs. I
> did use a substancial trust bearing to take all vertical loading off the
> rotator.
>
> Norm's Rotor Service: Good and Bad News About ALLIANCE !
> Let's get the bad news out of the way first. The bad news is: ALLIANCE
> is out of the rotor business completely.
> The GOOD news is that Norm's Rotor Service has bought all parts,
> all materials, and all technical data from Alliance. NRS now owns all
rights
> to and a complete parts inventory for the HD-73 series rotors and control
boxes.
> For service and for parts for the HD-73 rotors and control boxes, as well
as the
> U-100 and U-110 rotors and controls, call Norm's Rotor Service.
> We're now your one-stop shop.

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