I had a T2X in a Triex WT-51 tower that was stored outdoors on it's side. It
filled with water and needed a complete rebuild. Thus, if it happens, it must
be possible.
Semper Fi,
Tommy - K6YE
DX IS and CW RULES
----- Original Message -----
From: Roger (K8RI) on TT <K8RI-on-TowerTalk@tm.net>
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Sent: Wed, 28 May 2014 08:41:42 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Tail Twister Question
On 5/27/2014 8:31 PM, jpk5lad@cox.net wrote:
> Hi Mike --
> The manufacturers of the TX2 (CDE, HyGain, MFJ) always specified it to be
> operated vertically to maintain that the weight of the mast and antenna array
> would provide the proper downward thrust on the bearings.
> The only problem I see in a sideways operation is the terrible stress a heavy
> set of antennas and/or an overly long mast which could provide a fierce
> moment arm on the body of rotator. If the rotator was sufficiently down
> inside the tower and you had a good bushing or bearing on the top to capture
> most of the array support weight, that might be enough but I'd still be a bit
> afraid of doing much turning. It might depend on quite a few factors: array
> weight, how far down it's mounted, etc. An engineer might be able to put
> some figures to that but it seems like the term, "It depends" figures in a
> whole lot.
I normally test the Ham series rotators in the vertical position, but
have done it in the horizontal as well. I'd not put much of a load on
one in the horizontal as it does not have the proper load on the bearings.
"I would not think", meaning I don't know for sure, that you could
rotate a fairly large (meaning a hundred # or so) VHF array supported by
a thrust bearing as a test. As others have said, don't let it get rained
on in that position.
73 & good luck,
Roger (K8RI)
>
> If the tower was horizontal enough so that someone else could help support
> the upper part of the mast while someone turned the TX2 from the shack, I
> wouldn't think that would place excessive stress on the rotator's body.
>
> I hope this helps. These notes are not based on any fancy engineering
> calculations, just my opinion. It's barely worth twice what you paid for it.
>
> Good luck and 73,
> Jim - K5LAD
>
>
> ---- Mike Fahmie via TowerTalk <towertalk@contesting.com> wrote:
>> Is it safe to operate the TX2 while it is laying on its side ?
>>
>> I don't find anything in the manual EXCEPT for this step in the CHECK OUT
>> section:
>>
>> D. With the rotator sitting in the upright position
>> and connected to the control unit by the 8-
>> wire cable, plug the control unit power cord
>> into a receptacle.
>>
>>
>> That statement raised my caution flags. The rotor is mounted in the tower
>> and the tower is tilted down to horizontal. I'd like to run it briefly to
>> check things out before I hand crank it vertical.
>>
>> -Mike-
>> WA6ZTY
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> --
> ===========================
> http://www.hayseed.net/~jpk5lad/
>
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