[TowerTalk] Yaesu G-2800 wiring long run

[john at kk9a.com]

Since the Yaesu rotator connector is around $50, I would use the supplied 
one.  Perhaps you can use the Yaesu cable on the tower and use something 
larger going from the tower base to the shack.  The control box Molex 
connectors are very inexpensive.  I would avoid using  9913 coax as it is 
very susceptible to water problems.

73,
John KK9A


To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] Yaesu G-2800 wiring long run
From: "James M. Daly" <AD1L at AD1L.COM>
Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2007 14:49:31 -0400
List-post: <mailto:towertalk at contesting.com>

I have been granted a variance for 57ft of tower and antenna, not bad
considering the town zoning permits no antennas of any kind. I am going to
put up a Tashjian/Tri-Ex LM-354 with an OptiBeam OB11-3 mounted 3ft above
it.

The downside is that in a compromise with the zoning board I agreed to clear
a metric buttload of virgin forest and position the base of the tower about
190ft from my operating position.

I am considering a Yaesu G-2800DXA rotator. Although I could probably get
away with a G-1000, and save some dough, the OptiBeam is .84m/9sqft,
27kg/59.5lbs, with 6.25m/20.5ft of turning radius.

Considering the distance from the operating position to the rotator, which
we will say is 245ft, I am open to wiring suggestions and vendor sources?
Will the pins on the Yaesu end plugs accept larger gauge wire (like 14 or
12AWG)? If I understand correctly the 2800 comes with 40m of wire
preassembled, should I order spare plugs ahead of time, or splice in larger
gauge wire a short distance from either plug end?

Has anyone measured the maximum amperage these rotators draw down,
schematics show the transformer in the controller for the 2800 producing
26V/3.5A but I could not find a detail on the current demand from the motor.
Perhaps the Yaesus are non-starter at these distances and someone would
suggest a different rotator, keeping cost in mind?

And on a side note; is there any significant advantage to using 9913 coax
over RG-213 at these lengths when operating at 10-20m frequencies?

Thanks for any insight.

Peace
James - AD1L