[TowerTalk] Rotator loops

Pete Smith n4zr at contesting.com
Sat Feb 27 03:36:49 PST 2010


I notice that typical ham rotator loops involve an unsupported loop that 
is perpendicular to the mast, and attached at top and bottom.  It seems 
to me that this means a lot of flexing through 360 degrees, and in the 
wind.  I have also noticed that TV station remote trucks seem to use 
another solution for their rotating dishes - they wrap a few turns of 
coax loosely around the mast, so that a one-turn rotation only slightly 
loosens or tightens the wrap.  Seems like this would be a better, more 
durable practice for ham installations too.

73, Pete N4ZR

The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com
The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com


On 2/26/2010 8:45 PM, Rick Karlquist wrote:
> Even if you obey the minimum bend radius, the coax
> can fail from metal fatigue or dielectric flow.
> What might be best is to use very flexible coax
> but put it inside a fairly inflexible piece of hose
> or tubing.  Then you never approach the bend
> radius of the flexible coax.
>
> Rick N6RK
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>    


More information about the TowerTalk mailing list