[TowerTalk] PST61 Rotor Reliability?

[David Gilbert]

I have a PST-61D that had been turning an Optibeam OB16-3 and OB2-40, a 
combination that is well within the rated capacity of the rotator.  I 
used to park the antennas pointing roughly ENE so that the element tips 
would point into the prevailing winds here at my hillside QTH.

The problem is that in the springtime when it gets really windy here, 
the high ridge line to the west and south of me blocks those prevailing 
winds and turns them into swirling wind gusts that AVERAGE anywhere from 
50 mph to 80 mph about every three to five minutes ... with peaks 
sometimes reaching 90 mph on a bad day. When those swirlers hit the 
tower head on, the forces on each end of the boom don't balance ... they 
add.  The resultant torque on the mast must be tremendous, and in any 
case it eventually managed to strip the gears in the NE position.  It's 
stuck there now until I decide to spend the money for Array Solutions to 
rebuild it.

I too would probably opt for a prop pitch in the future.

73,
Dave   AB7E



On 12/8/2017 4:34 AM, john at kk9a.com wrote:
> Ten years ago, when I was looking for a very heavy-duty rotator I read
> reviews and emailed several people with Prosistel and other large rotators
> turning large antennas. I went with a medium K7NV prop pitch and never
> looked back.
>
> John KK9A
>
>
> To:	"towertalk at contesting.com" <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Subject:	[TowerTalk] PST61 Rotor Reliability?
> From:	<samsadventure at gmail.com>
> Date:	Thu, 7 Dec 2017 23:21:41 +0000
>
> I’m considering one of these with the Green Heron FT21 controller & 500ohm
> pot
> conversion for my next project.  Looks like a good price for just the rotor
> compared to others.  But I can’t seem to find anyone over this way who can
> give
> feedback on their reliability?
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Sam N5FO
>
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