[TowerTalk] Looking for Remote Rotator Control Methods

[john at kk9a.com]

I have used heavy gauge THHN for 400-500 ft rotator lines.  It is a easy
solution that works perfectly (albeit somewhat expensive these days).  I am
not aware of any rotator manufacture that specifies the allowable wire
resistance or voltage drop so it's tough to choose the best wire size.   

Another option is Green Heron Engineering makes a remote power unit for prop
pitch rotators which runs on 120/240v A/C and it allows smaller gauge wire
from the shack controller to the RPU.

John KK9A


George Collins george.kc1v wrote:

Hello,

Have put up a second tower that will be used just for HF antennas.  It's in
a nice location except for one problem: it's 500 feet away from my shack.
I'm looking for suggestions on how to deal with a very long rotator cable
run.  There is a barn with electricity a 100 feet from the tower where a
controller could be located.  I'm thinking that I could run light-gauge
control wires from the shack to a controller in the barn, thus avoiding the
large IR drop in the motor wires.  The difficulty I see with this
approach is the long run for the position indicator wires.  I think they
will likely pick up RF or other electrical noise.  Perhaps some type of
buffer or line driver could be used.

I would also consider just running heavy-conductor cable directly from the
shack to the tower, if affordable cable was available.  I think I would
still have to deal with long position-indicator lines.

 Perhaps a wireless solution may be the best method, but I would probably
need to copy someone else's design.  I am familiar with various
microcontrollers and SBCs, but I haven't done anything programming of WiFi
networks, etc.  I would like to use the typical Hy-Gain/CDR type controller
and I will probably use a HAM-IV rotator, although a Yaesu rotator is a
possibibly.  Making electrical modifications to the rotator or controller
is not a problem.

Any suggestions (other than moving the shack to the barn hi hi) will be
very much appreciated.

73,

George, KC1V