[TowerTalk] Rotator and Beam advice requested

[Grant Saviers]

Chris

A previously used G2800 turns my 4L Steppir just fine for 4 years. No 
trombones original design 32' boom, 99#, 9.7 sq ft, 92' up plus 15' more 
mast to 2m 11 L.  I chose the 4L since it has no trombones (= simpler) 
and I built a 40m Moxon set on another tower.  For "all in one" a DB36 
is awesome.

If you really expect 100mph plus winds then I think you also need to 
consider a "super duty" antenna from M2, JKantennas or others. My 
antennas are 110 to 120 mph designs because they were designed for that, 
for the prior owner at an exposed QTH.  I did scratch build the W6NL 120 
mph 40m Moxon (not the modified CC 40-2 Al).  I'm in a 90mph zone, 
exposure B.

The DB36 is a big step up from my 4L no trombones SteppIR.  1.8x in wind 
load, 1.6x weight and 4' more boom. For sure it won't pass the Yaesu 
2800 spec that is an approximation of rotational inertia.   I use an 
Orion for the Moxon plus a rotatable 80m dipole, happy so far (4 yrs).  
Or get the small prop pitch + Green Heron controller from K7NV and never 
think about the rotator again (best choice for your wind exposure).  
Mine turns a JKantennas 2L 80m 350#, 100' tip to tip.

If you go Yaesu, and the control box goes haywire, throw it away and buy 
a Green Heron.  The Yaesu controller is a crazy box of interconnections, 
gears, and o-ring drive "belts".  Never again will I go there!

Paul at CustomMetalWorks.com can provide HD rotator and top plates for 55G.

btw full 360 deg travel time on my K0XG rings is under 1 minute with 
350# of antenna.  No problemo with 1/2 hp 180v DC motors and 4 stages of 
gear reduction!

Grant KZ1W

On 8/19/2016 18:43 PM, john at kk9a.com wrote:
> I never thought of a SteppIR as a simple antenna! You are comparing the
> SteppIR to something completely different (multiple monobanders at various
> heights). There are many excellent multiband antennas with no moving parts
> that I would consider simpler.
>
> I am sure that a Yaesu G2800 would reliably turn an antenna this size.
>
> John KK9A
>
> To:	<TowerTalk at contesting.com>
> Subject:	[TowerTalk] Rotator and Beam advice requested
> From:	"Chris Hoelzle" <choelzle at cox.net>
> Date:	Fri, 19 Aug 2016 17:44:05 -0700
>
> <snip>
>
> I like the simplicity of the StepIR as my alternative will be multiple beams
> and ring rotators and all that fun.
>
> Second question - Assuming I go with the 55G and the DB36, can anyone guide
> me to a good reliable rotator that I won't have to rebuild every year.
>
> Thanks so much
>
> NN6CH
> Chris Hoelzle
>
>
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