[TowerTalk] Modifications to TIC Ring

[john at kk9a.com]

There are so many versions of TIC Ring Rotators that it's difficult to make
suggestions. In fact it may be tough to find two identical ones. They are
not a precise mechanism but not much on a tower is. On all of my TIC Ring
styles, any out-of-round has little effect on gear engagement since my motor
gear is close to the roller. If the gear engagement is set tight is stays
that way throughout the rotation. I have one roller on each assembly not
near the motor that has a spring and moves in and out with any ring
out-of-roundness. I shimmed the tops of the rollers to compensate for the
ring being not flat to avoid binding and fortunately the drive gear is wide
enough to stay engaged. Depending on how the gear ring is made, you probably
could adjust its flatness with shims or a disc grinder.

GL
John KK9A 


Ignacy Misztal no9e wrote:

I ordered a TIC Ring. Initially it came uneven and Carl sent a replacement.
This one is even but slightly oval and not exactly level.  So when the ring
rotates, it is very tight fit at some angles and very loose at other
angles. Also the rotator control gear engages at the top for some angles
and at the bottom at other angles.  I can make the ring rotate 360 degrees
by tightening the side supports but then there is some grinding.

When I set it up for practice at a low level, the fit was better then
reassembled on top.

Perhaps I can ask Carl to send another replacement but I am wondering if
anyone knows tricks to make the current ring working well enough.

If two sides of the ring are at a slight angle, perhaps it is enough to
reposition the top screws of the ring.

If the ring is slightly oval (1/6 of an inch), can it be forced to be more
round with a hammer or a large clamp?

Just fishing for ideas.... I cannot afford to spent weeks on the rotor.

Ignacy NO9E