[UK-CONTEST] Kenpro Rotator

[Ian White GM3SEK]

Adrian Rees (MW1LCR) wrote:
>Hi
>Re: Kenpro KR600
>Anyone come accross this rotator? Apparently its now a Yaesu GR600....
>
>If so, what are the specs, and any comments ?
>
The original Kenpro specs seem ridiculously optimistic, in terms of what 
the rotator can stand.

I used a KR-600 for the 432MHz moonbounce arrays, originally as an 
azimuth rotator for 8x21el, and then as a polarisation rotator for 
12x15el. The weak points were:

* The entire drive torque is transmitted through five tiny self-tappers 
that hold the main gear plate into the body - which of course worked 
loose. Fortunately it was easy to drill out the holes and re-tap them 
for something larger.

* The final drive gear, made from pot-metal. If the rotator was 
habitually left in one position, it was very easy for the breeze to 
build up metal fatigue in just one or two teeth, which then snapped off 
in the next strong gale and jammed the rotator.

Both of those points may have been improved in the later Yaesu version, 
but I wouldn't trust the original KR-600 for much more than a mid-sized 
VHF array.

Contrary to Chris, I liked the "round controller" with the 360deg 
display, and only ever had one problem with it, a servo pot with a dirty 
track.


(By the way, some of these questions may be better discussed on the new 
"CDXC" yahoo group, which is open to all and intended for general 
UK-based discussions about HF DX and related topics... except, of 
course, contesting.)


-- 
73 from Ian GM3SEK