[TowerTalk] Rotor cable / Steppir cable connectors

[Jim Thomson]

Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2014 20:26:46 -0800
From: Big Don <bigdon39 at gmail.com>
To: W3YY <w3yy at cox.net>
Cc: "towertalk at contesting.com" <towertalk at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Rotor cable / Steppir cable connectors

FWIW, the quick disconnects available from Norm's Rotor have gold pins on
both halves.
Pricey, but don't expect any corrosion..

After nearly 40 years of  using the old Ham IV   8-screw   terminal strips
(never had a reliability problem)
we are now converting to Norm's disconnects. As geriatrics become an issue,
every extra minute on the tower hurts. Disconnecting and reconnecting the
8-wires can consume 15-30 finger-fumbling vision-impaired minutes ---
dealing with rusty screws and wires, slipping wire ends under those screws
that really don't unscrew far enough to make the job easy, keeping the
wires from oozing out from under the screws while tightening them,
re-stripping and forming the wire ends if any broke during the
disconnecting operation, finally making sure the connections are correct
and tight,

Maybe y'alll got a better way, but we always have done it with the rotor
laying precariously *LOOSE* on its side, on the rotor shelf,  in order to
get necessary easy access to the terminal strip,  Not something you want
especially if some wasps seize the opportunity to attack.. A Rohn 25 rotor
shelf is not very wide, makes a lousy workbench.  It is now a 10 second
operation with the rotor solidly bolted in place.....

73,  Don  N7EF

##  why not just install Sta-kon crimp connectors on each of the 8 x wires..
then solder em after crimping.  Im talking about the sta-kons that are made to
go under screws..just like you are doing...and NOT the round wounds,,,, that
require removing the screw entirely. 

##  IE:  sort U shaped... with extreme ends flipped up 90 degs.   Then u just
undo the screw a bit, an hook the U shaped stakon under the screw thread.
Once there, it cant back out either, the 90 deg ends flipped up  will catch the
screw head,   Once tightened, its going no where.   You could also use SS
screws instead of whatever oem junk is supplied for screws.   That, and SS
internal tooth lockwashers for some overkill.    Ok, then you don’t have to
mess with  wrapping wires around screws anymore. 

##  Dunno if the sta-kons will fit in the terminal block or not.... they should.
be easy enough to test on the bench. 

Jim  VE7RF