[TowerTalk] Ham IV Rotor

[Cqtestk4xs at aol.com]

Depending on the antenna, you do NOT need a thrust bearing with your  system. 
 A lightweight antenna like an A-3 simply needs something to  keep it aligned 
in the "cone top hole" if you are using a skinny mast.   However, if you are 
using one almost the diameter of the hole and have a low  square footage 
antenna, mount the rotor, mount the antenna and don't worry about  the T-bearing or 
anything else.
 
A good "hole aligner" can be made from a piece of hard wood bolted to a  
shelf, or take two 2-inch toilet flanges to make a "sandwich" around the  plate.  
A small piece of 2-inch PVC hold them together and they will make a  pretty 
good t-bearing for small antennas.
 
I've used this method for ten years on small tribanders, and 6 element 10  
meter beams.
 
Bill K4XS