Dick:
I missed your original email for some reason. I think most of the reported
problems you have heard about relate to earlier versions of thet rotator. There
are a number of problems with the earliler units that Msq inherited when they
bought the rotator product from Orion. If you have any lingering, legitimate
questions, I would address them directly to Mike (one of the M's, and there are
acturally 3 that I know of if you count his son who runs the manufacturing end
of thyings and Mike's wife) who is the owner. He is very knowledgeable and very
willing to take the time to answer questions. You have to ask to talk with him.
He won't be answering the phones.
I have an earliler version (RC2800P-A) which has an ac motor and is more prone
to noise or ground loop problems). If you buy a new one, I would just use their
controller as most older problems are solved now. You can still get mast
slippage in the rotator clamp, but that is a safety protection. It is either
slilp the mast, or break the rotator. I chose the former. Do not drill through
and bolt the mast to the rotator. That is their advice.
I have had 3 rather large antennas on my rotator at the same time, and have
only experienced mast slippage a couple of times due to very large wind gusts.
Always tighten the clamp to mast bolts first, and then the bolts that attach
the clamp to the rotator base. When that happens, I get the rotator back to
true north and then change the rotator controller reading to 0 deg.
Repositioning the mast in the rotator can wait until your next major
maintenance activity that gets you or someone elst back up there. That problem
hasn't happened since I removed the 84ft Force 12 EF180C rotatable dipole from
the stack. Too much torsion and stress on the rotator for my money. I think you
will end up liking the current Msq rotator a lot after having it for a few
years.
John Owens - N7TK
---- Original message ----
>Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:11:39 -0400
>From: "Dick Green WC1M" <wc1m@msn.com>
>Subject: [TowerTalk] M2 OR2800PX
>To: "Tower" <towertalk@contesting.com>
>
>Thanks for the excellent replies to my previous request for rotor
>suggestions. I'm zeroing in on the M2 OR2800PX, and would like some opinions
>on that rotor. The plan would be to use it with a Green Heron controller,
>not the stock controller. I'd like to hear from anyone who has used the
>OR2800PX, especially with the GH controller.
>
>
>
>The issues I've heard about so far are:
>
>
>
>1) Mounting bolts tend to come out. Use thread locking compound. M2 sells an
>optional bolt kit for wires just in case.
>
>2) Mast clamps tend to slip. Is this still true? Anyone using the K7LXC
>version? Does the Slipp-Nott work with the OR2800PX?
>
>3) Sometimes pulses are missed on long unshielded signal cables, affecting
>accuracy. Anyone had this problem with the GH controller?
>
>4) Bolt that pulls the output gear up can break, causing gear to drop and do
>internal damage. Fixable with a couple of washers under the gear.
>
>
>
>Any other issues?
>
>
>
>Again, the antenna is a Cal-AV 2D-40A: 16.8 sq ft, 163 lbs, 36 ft turning
>radius.
>
>
>
>Thanks in advance for any help.
>
>
>
>73, Dick WC1M
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