[TowerTalk] Ham IV Rotator

[Robert Shohet]

Hi Carl,

This happens to me a lot, especially when I haven't rotated
my antennas in a few weeks or months.  I press the brake 
down for about 5 seconds and then gently alternate between pressing
the right lever and then the left for about 2 seconds each.
Occasionally I will press all three levers down for about
1 second and then press the brake and one lever.  This also
can help.

Sometimes I have to repeat this process a few times before
the rotator will move.  Then the indicator will move with 
the antenna as it begins to rotate.

I am not sure exactly why this happens, but with 6 T2X
rotators on my tower I can tell you that this is a common
occurrence (at least for me).  It is almost like the brake gets
wedged into a groove and then has to work it's way out, which is
what the side to side rotation seems to do.
The "non-movement" with a depressed brake is also more
common when it is windy.

Let us know what you find and GL!

73
Bob KQ2M

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Carl Smidt" <xveoneov at sprint.ca>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2004 11:25 AM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Ham IV Rotator


> When I tried to turn my 3 EL SteppIR beam this morning the rotator
> wouldn't turn. I could hear that the brake was releasing ok, but the
> antenna wouldn't rotate.
> 
> Off and on lately, but not frequently, the meter movement would 'hold'
> and then suddenly release to show the antenna direction on the
> indicator.
> 
> Any ideas out there of what might be wrong? It has been 15 years since
> the rotator was last overhauled.
> 
> 73,   Carl   VE9OV