[TowerTalk] Effective moment and K-factor. Was: Yaesu rotators

[Alan AB2OS]

Is Yaesu's "K-factor" the same as Hy-Gain's "Effective moment"?

If not,

Alan AB2OS


I wrote:

> In the course of looking around for a good price for a G-1000DXA, I went 
> to the Texas Towers Web site and noticed their explanation of the 
> "K-factor" item that I have seen in ads for Yaesu rotators. The K-factor 
> is defined as the weight of the antenna multiplied by its turning 
> radius, and, in the example they give, if one considers only the surface 
> area of a TH-11DXS, a G-800 rotator will handle it, but when the weight 
> and turning radius are considered, even a G-1000 is not up to the task.
> 
> In my case, all I intend to put up immediately is a 3-el. SteppIR, which 
> is within the capabilities of a G-1000DXA (or even a G-800DXA), but 
> adding the 4th element (which I might do later) would put me over the 
> top for that rotator.
> 
> If people are not considering K-factor when choosing a rotator, that 
> might explain some of the complaints (e.g., on eham.net) that Yaesu 
> rotators are too flimsy.