[TowerTalk] (no subject)

[jcowens1 at comcast.net]

Dick:

I missed your original email for some reason. I think most of the reported problems you have heard about relate to earlier versions of thet rotator. There are a number of problems with the earliler units that Msq inherited when they bought the rotator product from Orion. If you have any lingering, legitimate questions, I would address them directly to Mike (one of the M's, and there are acturally 3 that I know of if you count his son who runs the manufacturing end of thyings and Mike's wife) who is the owner. He is very knowledgeable and very willing to take the time to answer questions. You have to ask to talk with him. He won't be answering the phones. 

I have an earliler version (RC2800P-A) which has an ac motor and is more prone to noise or ground loop problems). If you buy a new one, I would just use their controller as most older problems are solved now. You can still get mast slippage in the rotator clamp, but that is a safety protection. It is either slilp the mast, or break the rotator. I chose the former. Do not drill through and bolt the mast to the rotator. That is their advice.

I have had 3 rather large antennas on my rotator at the same time, and have only experienced mast slippage a couple of times due to very large wind gusts. Always tighten the clamp to mast bolts first, and then the bolts that attach the clamp to the rotator base. When that happens, I get the rotator back to true north and then change the rotator controller reading to 0 deg. Repositioning the mast in the rotator can wait until your next major maintenance activity that gets you or someone elst back up there. That problem hasn't happened since I removed the 84ft Force 12 EF180C rotatable dipole from the stack. Too much torsion and stress on the rotator for my money. I think you will end up liking the current Msq rotator a lot after having it for a few years. 

John Owens - N7TK


---- Original message ----
>Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:11:39 -0400
>From: "Dick Green WC1M" <wc1m at msn.com>  
>Subject: [TowerTalk] M2 OR2800PX  
>To: "Tower" <towertalk at contesting.com>
>
>Thanks for the excellent replies to my previous request for rotor
>suggestions. I'm zeroing in on the M2 OR2800PX, and would like some opinions
>on that rotor. The plan would be to use it with a Green Heron controller,
>not the stock controller. I'd like to hear from anyone who has used the
>OR2800PX, especially with the GH controller.
>
> 
>
>The issues I've heard about so far are:
>
> 
>
>1) Mounting bolts tend to come out. Use thread locking compound. M2 sells an
>optional bolt kit for wires just in case.
>
>2) Mast clamps tend to slip. Is this still true? Anyone using the K7LXC
>version? Does the Slipp-Nott work with the OR2800PX?
>
>3) Sometimes pulses are missed on long unshielded signal cables, affecting
>accuracy. Anyone had this problem with the GH controller?
>
>4) Bolt that pulls the output gear up can break, causing gear to drop and do
>internal damage. Fixable with a couple of washers under the gear.
>
> 
>
>Any other issues?
>
> 
>
>Again, the antenna is a Cal-AV 2D-40A: 16.8 sq ft, 163 lbs, 36 ft turning
>radius.
>
> 
>
>Thanks in advance for any help.
>
> 
>
>73, Dick WC1M