[TowerTalk] Rotor problems and guy replacement

[K8RI]

On 6/28/2013 11:30 AM, ni3p at comcast.net wrote:
>
>
> Help!  My friendly manager at Ham Radio Outlet recommended you guys as the best place for good advice ...
>
>
>
> I have a  problem with my HF antenna system.  It is a Rohn 25 tower at 50 feet; the one antenna is a Force 12 C3 seven element beam.  My rotor is a Yaesu G-800DXA. The cable has been there for about 25 years, the antenna about six years, and the rotor about four years.
>
>
>
> The problem is with the Yaesu rotor system.  For the last few months, it does not appear to be operating properly.  The symptoms are
>
> ~ It turns very slowly, and seems to "pulse" rather than rotating smoothly;
>
> ~ the speed control seems to have no effect, and the pre-set control does not work.

There are several issues here that may or may not be related.
1. Rotation speed varies
2. Presets do not work.
3. It has little torque (stops with any interference)

as # 2 and 3 combined would indicate the likely hood of a problem 
located in the control unit, I'd start by measuring the output voltage 
at the control box, that drives the rotator.

With multiple symptoms, check to see if they are related.
With DC rotators, check to see if the control is putting out the desired 
voltage.

Check easy stuff first

73,

Roger (K8RI)


>
> ~ it stops when encountering even the lightest branch on a nearby tree. (I am waiting for the tree guy now).  It also sometimes, but not always, will rotate over only a limited range - this range can vary from time to time - without encountering a branch.   It seems worse in the rain.
>
>