[TowerTalk] Rotor Cabling Query

[Lux, Jim]

On 4/3/21 5:51 AM, Richard Thorne wrote:
> This is my next step.
>
> I'm using the Green Heron Everywhere wireless system for my antenna 
> switching and rotor controls (RT-21's).
>
> The RT-21's are off my operating desk and sitting on a shelf at the 
> antenna entrance wall.
>
> The next step is to move them out to the tower base in a water proof 
> enclosure.
>
> The other option is a 4O3A Rotor Genius.  Either run an either net 
> cable to the tower or setup a wireless bridge.
>
> Both of the above options require power at the base of the tower.
>
> Rich - N5ZC

For any long run for networking, fiber is the way to go. The end points 
are about $50 each, and premade duplex cables are about about $5 + 
$0.10/ft for reasonable lengths.


If you don't need a lot of power, you don't need to run a full 15A 
branch circuit with 12AWG.  You can run much smaller wire, with 
transformer isolation, and use the right taps on a transformer to 
overcome the voltage drop. You'd have to look at the code to see how to 
make it legal, but, in general, once you've got that isolation barrier, 
you're not running a "branch circuit" any more, but rather "remote 
control and power".  I think it would be Class 2 or Class 3.

Since there's galvanic isolation, there's also no requirement to run a 
bonding/grounding wire in parallel. You'd establish a ground at the 
antenna end, and that would be your ground reference.


Right now, I'm working on a system that uses a battery at the far end 
and a current limited DC link as charging power.