[TowerTalk] TIC-Ring Question

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

I don't know but since most antennas are aluminum I doubt they
would effect a magnetic sensor.  I'd be more concerned about a
steel tower but I'm sure the designers have considered that as
well.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV

On 2022-11-11 4:46 PM, Mike Lyon wrote:
> Curious, since the antenna is all metal, does that screw up the
> magnetic compass at all?
> 
> -Mike
> 
> On Fri, Nov 11, 2022 at 1:38 PM Joe Subich, W4TV <lists at subich.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>> microHAM now make a magnetic compass module (ARXC Magnetic) for
>> their ARCO controller. The ARCO has programmable stops which
>> based on the magnetic module should provide adequate protection
>> for your feedlines.
>>
>> See: <https://www.microham.com/contents/en-us/d1215_ARXC.html>
>>
>> 73,
>>
>>      ... Joe, W4TV
>>
>> On 2022-11-11 1:11 PM, Leeson wrote:
>>> I've been using a TIC ring rotator here on a big 7el 10m Yagi for the
>>> past 20 years with good success, but it has a couple of well-known
>>> unresolved problems: In the high winds we have on our hilltop (147 mi/h
>>> 3s gust measured), it can jump a tooth on the motor or pot gear, which
>>> eventually makes the direction indicator pot totally out of sync, or
>>> even damages it. Since the ring rotor doesn't have physical limit
>>> switches, that has permitted over-rotation that parts the coax.
>>>
>>> Re direction indication, has anyone had any success with alternatives
>>> such as magnetic or microswitch gear tooth counters? Or a simple compass
>>> module with output that a Green Heron RT-21 can read (0-5 volts)? See
>>> G6EJD, KJ4JJH, K3NG. I'd like to have direction indication that mounts
>>> directly at the ring or antenna boom itself, rather than through a
>>> coupled gear. and it should work at zero speed.
>>>
>>> Second, has anyone had success with adding waterproof (IP67) limit
>>> switches? Honeywell, Omron, IP67 microswitches or cheaper imports? If a
>>> magnetic gear tooth sensor is used, what kind of spacing precision is
>>> required? With 360 teeth, the 1° precision should be plenty for HF.
>>>
>>> I am aware of modifications and updates (e.g., N1CX) that may help
>>> prevent gear tooth skipping, but I want something bullet-proof that
>>> really gives me full confidence. Even a partial failure in a contest can
>>> compromise an otherwise winning effort; in our big HC8 station, we gave
>>> up on rotators and went with multiple antennas per band. But for my less
>>> complex setup here at home, I intend to try to resolve both of these
>>> problems when the weather permits, and am interested in hearing the
>>> experiences of list folks.
>>>
>>> BTW, I resolved the climb-over issue with a small 3-rung steel ladder
>>> mounted below it on the tower face. And if the limit switches work out,
>>> I'll add them to my prop pitches, as well.
>>>
>>> Thanks, Dave W6NL/HC8L