Byron,
Unless you're in an area with no winds, the MonstIR will destroy your
2800 in the first heavy wind.
You should use a much larger rotator such as the largest Prosistel,
or K7NV's prop pitch. You should also replace your 2 inch mast with a
3 inch mast. A 2 inch mast has inadequate clamping surface for the
large torque developed by the MonstIR.
73!
Frank
W3LPL
---- Original message ----
>Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2007 21:27:01 -0400
>From: "Byron Lichtenwalner" <w3wkr@verizon.net>
>Subject: [TowerTalk] Mast slipping
>To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
>
>I am in the process of replacing my current rotor with a 2800. I have a
>Steppir MonstIR on a 2" mast.
>In the attached note Steve suggests pinning the 2800 mast clamps for
>everything EXCEPT the antenna I have.
>
>What would you suggest for the MonstIR ?
>
>Byron, W3WKR
>
>In a message dated 4/17/2007 7:24:54 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
>cmsande@gmail.com writes:
>
>> I saw some old posts by you (circa 2002) stating that you have started
>pinning the Orion rotators due to slippage. I have a Orion RC2800PX
>turning a
>4L SteppIR and each time we have some wind, by antenna gets swung out of
>position. This happened again today.
>
>Hiya, Craig --
>
> It's an Orion design flaw, the mast clamp has 2 problems. First, the
>surface where the nuts and bolts seat are dimpled - not flat. Over time,
>the
>wind motion causes the washers to pound the dimples flat, thus loosening up
>
>the
>nuts; then the mast is loose and starts moving. The problem can be
>eliminated
>by milling or grinding those surfaces flat.
>
> Secondly only 2-3 teeth of the clamp actually contact the mast,
>resulting in very little clamping. Then you get the teeth being worn down
>as
>the mast
>moves back and forth and it loosens some more.
>
>You can re-tighten everything and it'll probably be good for a couple of
>years. For a 4L SteppIR, you can also pin the mast. Pinning works for
>everything
>except a MonstIR.
>
>
>> I have heard good things about the Green Heron Engineering univeral
>rotator controller, which can be re-calibrated in case the mast slips in
>the
>rotator, however eventually the coaxial cable loop would start wrapping
>around
>the
>mast if I did nothing more to secure the rotator-to-mast connection.
>
> The GH controller is very nice but won't do anything about the basic
>problem.
>
>
> What I do for my customers is provide a new replacement mast clamp that
>
>uses 6 U-bolts to hold the mast and does NOT slip. It's $120.00 but if you
>re-tighten everything and pin the mast, you'll be good to go.
>
>Cheers,
>Steve K7LXC
>Champion Radio Products
>Cell: 206-890-4188
>
>
>
>
>
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