[TowerTalk] Rotor and controller choice

[Don Moman VE6JY]

Hi Gary;

Just a small correction - the Alfa Spid is actually made in Poland but with
much input from us in Canada (Alfa Radio).  For mounting outside of a tower
like you describe, it's something the RAK can handle easily.  They have two
significant bearings and can take a lot of side loading before we'd call it
"abuse".

You'd know which one I'd suggest..... but there might be bias involved!

73 Don
VE6JY

On Mon, Aug 13, 2018 at 8:58 PM Gary Smith <Gary at ka1j.com> wrote:

> Folks,
>
> Thank you for the direct and list,
> informative replies. So many direct
> replies and I am grateful & I'll reply to
> each directly but I'll use the list to
> offer a global reply right now.
>
> There was nothing but universal praise for
> the Green Heron controller so that makes
> it a done deal as regards controllers. I
> now have to decide on the rotor.
>
> At this point I will only be driving a 6
> meter 6M7JHV till next summer. It weighs
> 18 pounds. The way I have used the
> tailtwister is bolted to a base and the
> antenna attached to the mast above. I've
> been informed this is bad practice and I
> need to use a thrust bearing to not abuse
> the rotor, even with light loads. I knew
> to use them for heavy loads but just
> learned something new. I'll make an
> arrangement in my roof tripod to make this
> so.
>
> So now, considering the desire to have a
> rapid rotation (using this 6M beam), a
> Prop Pitch is not in the hunt but based on
> the many replies, I have two options that
> I would do well to decide from that come
> at a cost effective package from Green
> Heron; the Yaesu G-2800 and the Alpha Spid
> RAK.
>
> Both of these rotors get about the same
> reviews on eHam. I like that the Alpha
> SPid is made in Canada, Yaesu doesn't have
> the best tech support but they're a large
> company with a lot of history.
>
> Any strong caveats with either one of
> these before I order?
>
> Thanks,
>
> 73,
>
> Gary
> KA1J
>
> > From: Gary Smith KA1J
> > Date: Mon Aug 13 00:13:48 EDT 2018
> >
> >
> > I need to replace my old Tailtwister &
> > control. It was stuck most of last winter
> > and would not free up till I manually
> > worked it back & forth and finally broke
> > it free. It still has moments of
> > hesitation in travel and though I can have
> > it rebuilt, it's 40 years old and I need a
> > more current controller anyway.
> >
> > I removed the almost 40 year old Hy-Gain &
> > replaced it with a M2 6M7JHV with 2.5 Sq
> > feet of loading. It is on a roof mounted
> > tripod. Eventually I will have a tower and
> > HF beam, I'm looking at beams with 13 sq
> > ft of wind loading and will have the 6M
> > above the HF antenna so 15.5 wind loading
> > is down the road. With that, I should
> > consider a rotor to handle 20 Sq ft just
> > to be on the safe side. I've been looking
> > at digital controllers that allow me to
> > manually choose the degree or use the
> > logging software to aim it.
> >
> > At this point the Green Heron combos look
> > affordable but looking at the Eham
> > reviews, the rotors aren't getting the
> > best marks. I'd rather get the right
> > rotor/controller now and be overkill for
> > the 6M antenna but be ready for the HF
> > beam a few years down the road.
> >
> > The Green Heron controllers seem to be a
> > good choice but I have no experience with
> > new rotors. I'd appreciate thoughts on a
> > good combo for me to look at. A highly
> > reliable rotor with quick rotational speed
> > is important to me.
> >
> > Suggestions?
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > Gary
> > KA1J
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > TowerTalk mailing list
> > TowerTalk at contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> >
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>