Some time ago I do recall a thread here, about a rotor control box that runs
under 12 volts. Designed for rovers but it was a bit pricey
Tony
NN1D
-----Original Message-----
From: vhfcontesting-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Dan Evans
Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2009 21:29
To: jcplatt1@mmm.com
Cc: VHFcontesting@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Rover rotators
Wouldn't leave home without mine, hi hi.
I use an AR40 rotator. My rotator is mounted to the bed of my truck, in
the rotator is a push up mast with a yagi mounted at the top of each
section of the mast. The mast is also braced at about the 5' level by
a set of racks on my truck.
It works pretty well. When I get to a good spot, I stop, step up into
the bed of the truck, extend the mast, and I'm ready to operate. When
it's time to move, I just lower the mast, tie the end of the yagis down
to keep them from turning during transit, and then drive...
I've never had problems with the mast turning the rotor while driving,
but after a few years the inside sections of the push up mast started
slipping. So I started securing the ends of the yagis to the truck rack
just to be safe.
I power the AR40 with an el cheapo 400 watt inverter from Harbor
Freight. It seems to do a great job, and is reasonably quiet. However,
as a rule, I only switch on the inverter when I need to turn the yagis.
Having a rotator makes a big difference to me. If I have to do the
"armstrong" method, I spend a lot less time calling CQ in many
directions. Probably not much difference on 6, but on 2 meters I have
a relatively narrow beam width, so I feel it is important to keep the
beam moving.
Have fun!
73
Dan
--
Amateur Radio Emergency Service, Clark County Indiana. EM78el
K9ZF /R no budget Rover ***QRP-l #1269 Check out the Rover Resource Page at:
<http://www.qsl.net/n9rla> List Administrator for: InHam+grid-loc+ham-books
Ask me how to join the Indiana Ham Mailing list!
jcplatt1@mmm.com wrote:
> After many years of roving, I am contemplating some rover enhancements.
> For those rovers who use a rotator, what rotator are you using ? Could
you
> comment on 12vdc vs the need for other voltages, and any noise while
> rotating ? Also, how does the rotator hold going down the road at 70 mph
> into that 30 mph headwind - do you pin your mast while in transit, etc ?
> Many thanks in advance.
>
> 73, Jon
> W0ZQ/R
>
>
>
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