Rotor for antenna tower

[easylistener]

I bought an antenna tower from a friends dad.  It has a rotor on it, with like six wires going into it.  He through the box away awhile ago.  What wires do what?  What voltage did these use?  I would like to send some power to it and see if it still works.  It looks like a cone.

[Gregg Lengling]

Without the model number I can't help you...but if you get the Make and Model off of it, there is a great possibility you can find the info on the NET.  Also coming up on Saturday May1st at Circle B Recreation on Hwy 60 will be the Ozaukee Radio Clubs swapfest. It's possible you could find a box there or even a complete rotor.  I've also bought TV antennas at that swapfest in the past.

As for what the wires do...they supply voltages (usually 48 volts) to turn it in different directions, some had brakes to lock in place when not turning and some had a directional indicator resistor that would give feedback to the control box to show your direction.  My Rotor has 8 wires and is computer controlled, but it's also very heavy duty to handle my Ham antennas also.  Current list price on the one I have is over $600.00.  So the big ones are expensive, but the generic TV Rotors can be had for well under $100.

[easylistener]

This is a big heavy duty one.  I will try and stop out at circle B.  Can I replace it with one of the cheaper ones?  Do they allow you to bolt them to a plate or only a mast.

[Gregg Lengling]

Most of the heavy ones have a choice of 2 different mounting plates.  One is a sandwich plate which is for mast mounting, this is usually an option.  The bottom of the rotor should have a bolt hole arrangment to mount on a flat plate that mounts inside the tower.  On mine I have a place inside the tower below the top where the rotor is mounted and then the mast extends up thru a plate on the top with a bearing.  The mast is actually bolted to the bearing (there are set bolts/set screws on the bearing) and this allows the heavy bearing to handle the downward weight of the mast and antennas so the bearings on the rotor aren't put under too much stress.  

If you want sometime we can get together and I can look at the rotor you have and try to identify it seeing as we are both in Wonderful Cedarburg.


TTFN

[easylistener]

I have a picture of what it looks like.  I will try and attach it.  I took the picture off of ebay.

[Gregg Lengling]

That's an oldie...but it does have the positioning resistor in the unit for good feedback and a brake.  It might be possible to find a used control box.  But before installing it I would disassemble the unit, clean it and repack the bearings with Lithium grease.  The reason for Lithium Grease is because of our cold winters up here, normal grease will freeze the rotor up on those very cold stretches we get up here in DA NORTH.

[easylistener]

I will have to take it off and try and find and a number.  Do you know of a good place I can go and look for a new one?  Is that you on Pioneer?

[Gregg Lengling]

No I'm not on Pioneer that's Fred, I'm by First Immanuel and the High School.

[tazman]

Hi Gregg,   sounds like easylistener's got  possibly an old HAM-2 rotor there.  I've got just the antenna for him to put on it.   Regarding the swap fest at Circle B.   Is there an admission fee for sellers and what is it?  I was thinking maybe I would take some info over there on that NASCOPI antenna I've got for sale.

Thanks:)

[Gregg Lengling]

I think the tables are about 10 bucks a piece to sell.  Pretty cheap when you think about it...and sellers get in at 6:00am, so if you set up quick you can start buying at the other tables before the general public gets in.  Sorta steal all the deals.

[easylistener]

does anybody need help setting up?  I would love to get in early