[TowerTalk] Rotor and controller choice

Tue Aug 14 00:12:49 EDT 2018

Actually with a swinging gate to offset the boom, and an outside tower 
but close mounted rotator to swing the gate will yield almost 270 
degrees of beam azimuth rotation.  I designed a rotator support, top 
bearing support and gate for swing gate mounted beams for Rohn 65.

Then I decided to use ring rotators, but in retrospect the gates might 
have been a better idea for several reasons.  One constraint for a gate 
or ring is the beam elements need to be spaced enough to clear the tower.

Grant KZ1W

On 8/13/2018 16:22 PM, terry burge wrote:
> This sounds like something that could be used with a side mounted beam/tribander/5bander for enabling it to rotate at least 90-120 degrees or something like that. I have been thinking of trying something like that to get more use out of any side mounted beam I come up with. Having some type of bearing or slip joint with the pipe mounting the beam and of course some kind of bicycle type chain to transfer the rotor action. Probably be able to mount the rotor in the tower like my Rohn 55.
>
> Terry
> KI7M
>
>
> Yes, I do worry about the side and down force on the tower and plan to come up with cable support for that issue. Might even be able to use the horizontal extension for anti-rotation of the tower with guywires on the extension.
> But I'm not certain what 'RAK' is referring to.
>
>> On August 13, 2018 at 3:01 PM Don Moman VE6JY <ve6jy.1 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>> 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
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>
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