[TowerTalk] Ham-IV rotator brake noise

[tommy at k6ye.com]

Kim,

I used to live in Broomfield in the Country Estates portion. I had a 
Hy-Gain HG-54HD with a Force-12 C4-XLD yagi. My neighbors were not 
receptive after I put it up in 2005 CE. Delivery people always saw my 
"monstrosity" but usually commented favorably.

I moved back to California in 2015 CE and currently live in Santa 
Clarita. My new setup includes a US Towers HDX-555 and a 4-element 
SteppIR. I like the old Tailtwister rotators but am currently using a 
Yaesu 28000SDX and it is rock steady. I have only received flak once. 
Note well that in all instances, I announced to all nearby neighbors of 
my intentions AND obtained permits prior to construction. YMMV.


Semper Fi,

Tommy - K6YE
DX IS and CW RULES



On 2021-01-19 22:09, Kim Elmore wrote:
> When I lived in Longmont, CO, in a 1200 sq ft house with lots to
> match. I had an HDBX-48 with a KLM KT-34A and a Cushcraft 40-CD2 all
> rotated by a T2X. I was stunned that when I gave directions to service
> people I’d mention the tower, yet they NEVER saw it until I pointed it
> out after they arrived. I pointed it out to one guy who was amazed
> that he hadn’t seen it as he drove up, parked in the driveway, and
> walked up to the house. I was far more sensitive to antennas than any
> of my neighbors, mainly because I was always looking for them.
> 
> Don’t worry about it: they clearly simply don’t notice it, so count
> your lucky stars!
> 
> Kim N5OP
> 
> "People that make music together cannot be enemies, at least as long
> as the music lasts." -- Paul Hindemith
> 
>> On Jan 19, 2021, at 9:00 PM, Dave - W3NP <w3np at atlanticbb.net> wrote:
>> 
>> Not much you can do about the brake solenoid...just the nature of the 
>> beast.  I just spent part of the day fixing up an older Ham IV (Clean, 
>> lube, replace the 8 terminal strip with a connector, etc).  With it on 
>> the bench and the bells removed it is not that loud. I have found over 
>> the years that it is the tower itself that makes the brake seem so 
>> loud. The metal tower picks up the noise by conduction and 
>> mechanically "amplifys" it. Some installations are noisier than 
>> others.
>> 
>> I just replaced the Ham IV on my larger tower with a Spid RAK that is 
>> a worm drive unit and it has no brake....very quiet.  That wasn't the 
>> reason I changed it out though. I live out in the woods in WV and 
>> don't care how much noise it makes!!
>> 
>> 73, Dave - W3NP
>> 
>> 
>>> On 1/19/2021 6:49 PM, Ralph Parker wrote:
>>> I've often puzzled over my urban neighbour's lack of complaints about 
>>> my Ham-IV, clanking away day and night as I contest, DX, whatever, 
>>> over the last 20 years or so. Loud enough to wake the dead, I've 
>>> often thought. Why aren't they mad at me?
>>> 
>>> Is there any way to quiet that beast?
>>> I've thought of perhaps some gradual application/release of power to 
>>> the brake, to ease it into/out of position?
>>> A different brake material might not stand up to the rigours of 
>>> constant use.
>>> 
>>> I know there are tricks to ramp up/down the start/end of the rotation 
>>> cycle, but I don't think that they affect the application/release of 
>>> the brake.
>>> I've just moved, and don't want to annoy a whole new set of 
>>> neighbours.
>>> Any ideas?
>>> 
>>> VE7XF
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> 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
> _______________________________________________
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk