On Sat, 21 Feb 2004 16:43:14 -0600, "Crazy George"
wrote:

Dave:

Some of the huge commercial/government system rotators have built in torsion
relief in the form of some sort of springing, but I don't think the smaller
Yaesu have such. I would really be concerned with that much slack, as the
larger the swing is, the more inertia the assembly builds up to pound the
rotator internals into dust. Plus, if that model rotator has a positive
'brake' like the HAM series, then you are in a heap of trouble, as the brake
has definitely failed. Best get it repaired before the spring winds.

I think its supposed to have a brake. It is a Yeasu 800 DXA. Suspect loose
mounting bolts - it hasn't been up so long for the rotator to simply fail, I
think. The antenna is a Cubex 4 el, 5 band quad that is 7 sq ft and has a 30
ft boom. I think that rotator ought to handle it, as did the guy at Ham Radio
Outlet. He actually talked me up to this one, when I was going to get a 450,
but he pointed out the "K" factor, and how I needed the heavier rotator for
that long boom. Something still isn't right, tho, I think.

It could be the masting, tho. I have a 3: diameter piece that goes into the
rotator and is "pinned" there by a bolt, as well as clamped, then it goes to a
"jackshaft" that is a smaller, about 4' length of 1 3/4" stainless steel with 1
or 2 1/4" bolts thru it. That goes thru the 1 3/4" top section collar, then a
3" heavy aluminum mast slips over the stainless jackshaft and is secured with 2
quarter-inch bolts. There's probably some play in the bolts, but I don't think
there's that much. Mounting bolts on the bottom of the rotator - I think those
may be loose.

Thanks for the info.

Dave Head

Dave