[TowerTalk] DX Engineering RT4500HD rotator

[Leeson]

I've had the same reliability issue with prop-pitches, tried using 
heavier water-proof grease made for trailer axles with some success. I 
sent a dozen or so prop-pitch "cores" to Kurt before he passed, and it 
seems someone enterprising could combine those, yours and others to 
restore the availability of rebuilts.

Re the DXE rotator, happy to see this initiative. I'd very much like to 
see the option of genuine limit switches, so I don't have to add my own. 
Limit switches that directly interrupt the motor current are a reliable 
approach, those that rely on the rotator controller, not so much. I have 
the same limit problem with ring rotators, combined with the gear-tooth 
skipping direction-indicator issue leading to parted coax.

Ahh, memories of the simple and cheap long-ago days when I rode home on 
my $8 bicycle with a big armful of junkyard copper tubing for my first 
Yagi (wood boom; I didn't know you were supposed to use aluminum 
tubing), rotated by a used TV antenna rotator on a tower made of 
nailed-together wood 2x2s.

Dave, W6NL

-----Original Message-----
I own a RT4500HD but waiting on cooler weather for installation. It 
seems robust enough as it's replacing a small form-factor prop-pitch. 
Between excessive water leakage after rebuilds and K7NV now SK, I was 
looking for an alternative. The reliability of prop-pitch rebuilds has 
been disappointing. N4CC and I have been changing them out every 1-2 
years at a cost of $2,500 per rebuild. Crazy. We have a prop-pitch 
"graveyard" at our remote site with something like six prop-pitches 
needing repair.

What seems to happen is that water ingress is caused by excessive 
surface heat in the Florida summers, followed by cool rain. This creates 
a suck-in effect. Because a prop-pitch is mounted upside-down in a 
tower, the seal needs better protection without having to resort to a 
special covering. In this regard, the DXE rotator seems much better. In 
fairness, the prop-pitch was designed for a different application. But 
yes, only time will tell.

The first DXE rotator installation will turn a full-size 4L M2 40m 
monoband Yagi at 140 ft and a 9L M2 6m Yagi at 155 ft. Both antennas are 
mounted on a 3-inch chromoly mast. This fits within the DXE design spec. 
In preparation for the installation, we used a crane back in April to 
change out a Rohn 3-inch thrust bearing with the equivalent type from 
DXE. The DXE bearing seems much more robust.

Paul, W9AC

-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> On Behalf Of John Vendely
Sent: Saturday, July 22, 2023 9:33 AM
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] DX Engineering RT4500HD rotator

Does anyone have any experience with or comments on the DX Engineering 
RT4500HD antenna rotator? This new product appears to be a take-off on 
the M2 2800G2, purportedly with some improvements, albeit at a 
significantly higher price. Only time will tell, but I wondered if 
anyone actually owning one had any words of wisdom for us.

73,

John K9WT