[TowerTalk] Ring Rotors and Swinging Gates

[Larry]

I am interested in what you might get in response to your downside 
issue. I have a 4030 M2 antenna with an Orion2800 that tends to slip 
when I get high winds. I had a Slipp-Nott (sp?) that I put up which I 
hoped would eliminate the slip but alas no such luck. I had heard the 
advice about not pinning through the rotor top years ago although I have 
had rotors that were drilled for pinning from a manufacturer. I was 
thinking of pinning maybe with something like the Slipp-Nott but have 
not really thought it out yet. Someone had commented a month or two ago 
about putting a grit in the rotor clamp to increase the grip to the mast 
that I was also thinking about.

73, Larry W6NWS

On 2/1/2023 11:15 AM, John Webster NN1SS wrote:
> All:
>
> First, many thanks again for all of the great responses. As a result, my
> way forward at this time is the swinging gate solution. The IDC Technology
> "Sidewinder" is at the top of the list. It seems beefy enough and looks
> like it will maintain a vertical position under a load which in New
> Hampshire can mean more than just the weight of the antenna. Heavy wet snow
> really piled up on the 404C a week or so ago. It also has an optional
> thrust bearing shelf to make rotor replacement simple. I like that.
>
> So... Now on to rotor. I have a non-working Orion 2800 which has seen the
> shop once but failed a second time with the same break release issue. It's
> been sitting on the shelf for 7 years but perhaps could be made to work.
> It's in otherwise good shape and I like the control box. The alternative is
> an Orion 2300 which I used for a few years to turn a 6 ele mono 20. It's
> even older (purchased used from K1ZM who I'm sure gave it a workout) but I
> had it up on the bench a month ago and it still works. Direction indicator
> needle jumps around a bit when it turns but I don't see that as a big issue
> at the moment. I also have a spare Green Heron box that I think could be
> made to work here as well. Best of all, it's free. And, given that the
> Sidewinder has the thrust bearing shelf, I could replace it relatively
> quickly if/when the time comes.
>
> The downside - and this I see as a real downside for this solution - is the
> mast clamp assembly. Here I'm curious as to how those of you have addressed
> the slippage issue. I really hated climbing 90' on a windy winter day the
> Friday before ARRL CW to reposition the mono 20 yet another time. This will
> be an issue if I use the Sidewinder as the inner mast has a 2" diameter. I
> wish it had more for the rotor clamp to grab on to. Many years ago, I was
> told once by one of my antenna Elmers to never ever pin the mast to the
> rotor mast clamp. But in this case, I'm wondering what is the worst that
> could happen if I do that.
>
> Again, advice here is very much appreciated.
>
> 73,
> John
> NN1SS
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk