I have stayed out of this discussion because things mechanical are not
my strong suit, and I have had my share of rotor problems lately. At
any rate, several months ago I had a discussion with Craig, the owner of
the C.A.T.S. rotor repair service, regrading the suitability of the Ham
series and the T2X for turning big antennas. According to Craig, if you
don't try to turn the T2X in heavy winds, its brake can withstand the
stresses. It's only when you release the brake and allow the stresses
to act directly on the gears that you may suffer damage in high winds.
He also went on to say that there was relatively little difference in
the ruggedness and turning capacity between the T2X and the Ham Series
(II, III, IV) of rotors for inside the tower installations. The T2X,
because of its mechanical construction, provides a more rugged
installation for mast mounted rotors, but they're all about equivalent
when mounted inside the tower.
FWIW and YMMV.
73, Joe
K2XX
Rob Frohne wrote:
> Hi Roger, et. al.,
>
> When the wind really blows, I hold the brake down and let the antenna
> rotate by turning the motor to the direction it wishes to be. I then
> release the brake lever so the brake is re-engaged. That way the
> antenna doesn't tend to more than swing back and forth a quarter of a
> turn or so if the mast rotates in the rotor, and I can recalibrate it
> without climbing the tower (using the adjustment on the rotor control
> box).
>
> 73,
>
> Rob, KL7NA
>
> On Thu, 2008-06-05 at 12:51 -0400, Roger (K8RI) wrote:
>
>
>>>
>>>
>> Having used to old Ham series on antennas as large as full size KLM 5L
>> 20 meter and 6 L 15 meter antennas (42 foot booms) I'd add
>> two points: Don't use the rotator when the wind is strong.
>>
>> If necessary (as a last resort) use the motor to stop/slowdown one if
>> you discover the wind is causing it to turn or even accelerate when the
>> brake is released. Although hard on the motor, it can handle this sort
>> of thing on an intermittent basis and do so much better than the brake
>> or stops. Just don't do it often, or for more than a couple of
>> seconds. IE. Hit reverse and then engage the brake. Even a momentary
>> pause will allow the brake to engage without tearing things up.
>>
>> 73
>>
>> Roger (K8RI)
>>
>
>
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>
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>
>
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