Hi,
Actually is not difficult to make a rotator at home.
Good thing is the electronic positioning is not attached to mechanical parts
anymore. So you can work in a simple and robust mechanical system based on a
worm gear and motor. Next one is a good example:
(surf to the bottom)
http://oz1ct.dk/konstruktioner/rotor-control-arduino.html
You can install one or two gear
boxes, depending on your requirements.
Then, the azimuth control is based on a "digital compass IC", for example the
LSM303. This is a small device in a waterproof box, attached to the mast,
independently from the rotator.
You can build it yourself, for example using the great K3NG Arduino kit, or
even a plug and play device like the Rotator Genius;
http://new.4o3a.com/index.php/products/station-automation/rotator-genius/
You can turn your antenna even from your mobile phone !!
73, Maximo
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
> From: K8RI-on-TowerTalk@tm.net
> Date: Fri, 3 Jun 2016 01:41:49 -0400
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] homebrew rotator
>
> Yes it kinda does <LOL>
>
> 73
>
> Roger (K8RI)
>
> On 6/1/2016 Wednesday 7:38 PM, Bob K6UJ wrote:
> > wow Roger,
> >
> > Reminds me of the movie Crocodile Dundy.
> >
> > "You call that a knife (rotator) now here's a knife (rotator)"
> >
> >
> > Bob
> > K6UJ
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On 6/1/16 4:11 PM, Roger (K8RI) on TT wrote:
> >> Here's a home built, chain drive that might turn your whole house.
> >> He used it to tun the top section of a massive tower that could be
> >> seen from 10 to 12 miles.Top two photos on
> >> http://www.rogerhalstead.com/ham_files/skyhook.htm the whole drive
> >> is not shown, but what is shown should give a good idea as to the
> >> size. Definitely not a bicycle chain! I think he used two heavy chains.
> >>
> >> John's station looks dated, but the photo was shot around 2001.
> >>
> >> Industrial chain, gears and idlers can be found at on-line auctions.
> >> I purchase a chain and gears for a planned, but much smaller scale
> >> drive that has never materialized...as of yet and probably never
> >> will. The cost was surprisingly little.
> >>
> >> There is "no slack" in this system so be sure to use a heavy (strong)
> >> spring loaded idler to protect the system and particularly the chain.
> >> OTOH if the chain is not "tight" to allow some slack, the shock to
> >> the antennas, chain and motor gear reduction can be substantial.
> >>
> >> John built that entire tower with the help of his brother-in-law and
> >> it was on a city lot.
> >> IIRC John died just two years after getting the system operational.
> >> His family put the tower up for sale, then on e-bay. It could be had
> >> for taking it down, but they eventually gave it to a power company
> >> for taking it down.
> >>
> >> The cost? In the Year 2000, you could have purchased a new Corvette
> >> for just the cost of the materials..
> >>
> >> 73
> >>
> >> Roger (K8RI)
> >>
> >>
> >> On 6/1/2016 Wednesday 3:22 PM, Danny Pease wrote:
> >>> I have been intrigued with putting together my own antenna mast
> >>> rotation
> >>> system and wondered if anyone has any info on using a rack and
> >>> pinion gear
> >>> type system in conjunction with a linear actuator. If the rack and
> >>> pinion
> >>> turns out to be too expensive, my second choice would be a chain
> >>> drive with
> >>> the linear actuator.
> >>>
> >>> Thoughts?
> >>>
> >>> Danny NG9R
> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> TowerTalk mailing list
> >>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> >>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> >>
> >>
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > TowerTalk mailing list
> > TowerTalk@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
> --
>
> 73
>
> Roger (K8RI)
>
>
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
|