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Rotor Recommendations?

Punker X

Punker X

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Been having issue with my rotor for a few years now. When I went to the big APS-13. It started having to be sync'd quite a bit. Any moderately wind would turn the antenna. The past couple of winters it been getting stuck. When the sun warms it up, it will eventually turn.

Looking for recommendations for an affordable heavy duty rotor. Pretty sure mine is the standard Winegard. Looking for a HD Ham type rotor.
 
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First, let's straighten out the terminology. It's not a rotor. It's a rotator. A rotor is the moving part of a motor that rotates. A rotator is a device for causing rotation, such as an antenna rotator.

I don't know the model of your unit but those click-click types don't have a true direction indicator, but rely on counting contact closures. There is a pair of contacts topside that, every time they make contact, causes the direction indicator down below to advance one step.

A better system is one with an indicator potentiometer such as the ham radio types. Those often include a brake to suppress wind-induced rotation. You can also use a selsyn system to indicate direction but that's sort of overkill. See the Hy-Gain types such as Ham-4 or Tail Twister. Yaesu makes some, too. Go to the website of AEA, a ham distributor with several US locations, or Ham Radio Outlet.

If you want to save money, check out used items on QRZ.COM or other ham sites.
 
Bob91343 said:
First, let's straighten out the terminology. It's not a rotor. It's a rotator. A rotor is the moving part of a motor that rotates. A rotator is a device for causing rotation, such as an antenna rotator.

I don't know the model of your unit but those click-click types don't have a true direction indicator, but rely on counting contact closures. There is a pair of contacts topside that, every time they make contact, causes the direction indicator down below to advance one step.

A better system is one with an indicator potentiometer such as the ham radio types. Those often include a brake to suppress wind-induced rotation. You can also use a selsyn system to indicate direction but that's sort of overkill. See the Hy-Gain types such as Ham-4 or Tail Twister. Yaesu makes some, too. Go to the website of AEA, a ham distributor with several US locations, or Ham Radio Outlet.

If you want to save money, check out used items on QRZ.COM or other ham sites.
Click to expand...
Strange you mention the click-click type rotor control boxes, as had one of these set up's as a kid I got from a swap meet. After some clean up and lube, actually worked pretty good for my 10' yagi. Think it was the Alliance brand. Are these click-click job's still around.
 
Channel Master.

Clamp your antenna pointing due north while your indicator knob is at due north. Then just swing it around toward where your station mast is.

You can get a nice 360 degree map for your station locations from FM Fool's site.
 
I use one of those click-click types and it's a pita. Needs recalibration often. But in its defense, it's many years old and has been idle for a long time. Its main problem is in the control box, which doesn't move along as freely as it should. I am still trying to figure out what to do about it.
 
I think the Hy-gain Ham-4 would be overkill. An AR40 might be better, but it's still pricey at $300. I'd try another Channel Master TV rotator.

Doug
 
Bob91343 said:
I use one of those click-click types and it's a pita. Needs recalibration often. But in its defense, it's many years old and has been idle for a long time. Its main problem is in the control box, which doesn't move along as freely as it should. I am still trying to figure out what to do about it.
Click to expand...
The old swap meet Alliance I had, actually didn't work when I first got it. Took apart the control box, used solvent on the gummy grease moving part's and lubed it back up. Worked fine for year's. Have no idea what ended up happening to it, as that was year's ago.
 
Frankly, I'd go with a Yaesu G-450. It should handle the antenna plenty well and the control box is a dream. Very popular among VHF/UHF ham radio enthusiasts.
 
The newer made Channel Masters are not what they used to be since production has moved to China. :thumbsdn: There are reliability issues with the mast units.
 
The Yaesu G-450 looks within budget.. bummer doesn't use the three conductor wire. Means running new cable too.

Any bad experiences with Ham Radio Outlet?
 
Bob91343 said:
First, let's straighten out the terminology. It's not a rotor. It's a rotator. A rotor is the moving part of a motor that rotates. A rotator is a device for causing rotation, such as an antenna rotator.
Click to expand...
You need to contact Ham Radio Outlet and straighten their a** out on this. They list the entire category as 'rotors'. Bunch of illiterates, I guess. :yes:
 
HRO is a good outfit. I have had many smooth purchases from them over the years. I believe they usually ship to us (MI) from Woodbridge, VA store and I have always received timely deliveries.
 
Punker X said:
Been having issue with my rotor for a few years now. When I went to the big APS-13. It started having to be sync'd quite a bit. Any moderately wind would turn the antenna. The past couple of winters it been getting stuck. When the sun warms it up, it will eventually turn.

Looking for recommendations for an affordable heavy duty rotor. Pretty sure mine is the standard Winegard. Looking for a HD Ham type rotor.
Click to expand...

Terminology aside, Sounds like it just needs a little TLC A little grease, and perhaps some Deoxit might also check the seal on top to make sure it isn't allowing water to run in it. I have also had a problem with wind here in the mountains, and almost invariably found it was a clamp or connection that was loose and allowing it to turn. In one or two instances I had to drill a tap hole and put in a screw, followed by a touch of primer, to keep it from turning. I had a 15 foot antenna on my rotator for 30 years and did fine. Might also look at where any two sections of mast are put together.
 
APS 13 & Eagle-Aspen rotors work good

In pursuit of a fringe station that I love, I put APS13s on my house and business, mounted on Eagle/Aspen (Pro Brand International, 1900w Oak Circ, Marietta Ga 30062; 770 423 7072; www.eagleaspen.com) Model 100 rotors.
They're available for $99. The rotor is driven thru the coax (although you can isolate it by running a 2nd coax if you want). It comes with a remote control which enables presetting all your favorite positions. It is Chinese made. The second one I purchased failed shortly and I found half the internal hardware loose or jammed. Pro Brand warrantied it at once. Both have been in service 2 years without further trouble (I did disassemble the 3rd unit and torque everything!) The construction looks pretty good, especially in today's environment. They have been totally reliable and never loose position. (and we've had some incredible storms! Currently on backup power and news says up to 80!!mph gusts) You can daisy-chain them with an antenna-mounted RF amp with no problem.
They rotate fairly quickly-faster than the channel-master I had years ago. I heartily recommend them. They claim 1dB max loss from rotator and control unit respectively.
Then 90.7 WFUV fixed THEIR antenna!
 
Punker X said:
The Yaesu G-450 looks within budget.. bummer doesn't use the three conductor wire. Means running new cable too.

Any bad experiences with Ham Radio Outlet?
Click to expand...
I've had good experience with HRO. Bought an RSC8V antenna switcher from them so can switch between tuners without the trouble of swapping antenna leads.
 
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