[TowerTalk] OR-2800 pigtail connector

[Joe Reisert]

Jamie etal,

M Squared has been hinting for sometime about the reliability of the 
connector. In fact, their tech service recommended to me over a year ago to 
just cut off the connector and solder it directly to the rotator cable. I 
didn't want to do that and it makes for a mess if you have to remove rotator.

When I was at the Visalia DX Convention a few weeks ago, M Squared showed 
me what they now recommend for the 2800 rotator. They have a cast box 
(about 3 by 6 by 2") that can be mounted to the tower leg, preferably at 
the base of the tower. You cut off the connectors, solder the wires to the 
rotator cable and feed them down the tower to the box. Inside the box is a 
terminal strip to connect the wires together. At least now the rotator can 
be disconnected and, if needed, you can connect your control box at the 
tower base for testing. The price is about $30-35. This would also allow 
adding MOV etc. protection at the tower base for lightning.

73,

Joe, W1JR


At 08:45 AM 5/31/2003 -0400, K4BEV at aol.com wrote:
>K9RB at bellsouth.net writes:
><<  I've found the most reliable rotator connector, by far, is the
>automotive flat rubber trailer connectors that come with pigtails.........
> >>
>
>Don't ya just love cheap, easy, elegant solutions that actually work?
>The above is one of 'em.
>
>I'd like to add -
>Put a bit of antioxidant stuff on each wire before you crimp it. It doesn't
>take much.
>Also, use the correct size butt splice and, as Rog points out, the correct
>tool.
>I usually spray the joint with a spray silicone before covering it, but this
>may be overkill.
>
>Personally, I prefer the uninsulated connectors and heat-shrink tubing method
>of installation. Some of the covers on the insulated ones are pretty brittle
>and leave a lump, like a snake that just swallowed something. When you're 
>done
>you have a bunch of wires and this big lump at the splice.
>The uninsulated type (or just remove the insulation if that's all you can
>find) makes a much neater job of it.
>
>73, Don - K4BEV
>_______________________________________________
>
>See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless 
>Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with 
>any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
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