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TailTwister Rotor Problems

Subject: TailTwister Rotor Problems
From: David Clemons <dave@egh.com> (David Clemons)
Hi,
        I have a TailTwister which is mounted inside Rohn 45 clone, using 
a thrust bearing, and turning a 4-el Cushcraft 20 Meter yagi and a 2-el 
Cushcraft 40 Meter yagi.  The rotor is 11 years old, but has only seen 
service for about 7 of those years.
        A couple weeks ago (during a 50 mph windstorm), I was 
disappointed to see my antennas swinging back and forth in a 90 degree 
arc.  So, I climbed the tower (windstorm and all, as no sane human being 
would do - but as most other serious hams have probably also done) and 
checked out the situation.  I was quite surprised to see the rotation 
being done at the center of the rotor (where normal rotation is done).  
This leads me to believe that the brake wedge is broken, or that the 
brake slots are stripped out for that 90 degree arc.
        This seemed like a premature death for the rotator, especially 
since the wind load total is only about 15 sq. feet.  Has anyone else had 
similar problems with TailTwisters?  I was quite happy with this rotator 
until this problem.  I also went out and bought the new Yaesu rotator 
(forget the model number, but it has similar wind load and almost similar 
pricing as the TailTwister).  I was intrigued at the idea of braking via 
the gears its uses (sort of like trying to turn a gear box from the wrong 
end, I guess) and also was surprised to see it uses a DC motor.
        Any thoughts on the cause of the TailTwister's untimely death?  
It did successfully weather a 100 mph hurricane and an 80 mph hurricane a 
few years back.  I also would appreciate any thoughts on the Yaesu model 
- it is probably not too late for me to exchange it for another 
TailTwister if I made a bad choice.

        Please answer directly to DAVE@EGH.COM, and I will post a summary 
to this reflector.

                                                73, Dave Clemons K1VUT


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