Why install a rotator at the base of the tower?

[@N8ESP]

Nice project! I like the idea of an accessible rotator with the (much cheaper) thrust bearings taking the weight. Really enjoyed the creative problem solving you did to make it happen.

[@michaelhamilton3778]

Well as long as the motor isn’t the only thing supporting the weight of the antenna and all that mast. That’s a great (old school) idea. Been doing that since the 60s with a old truck carrier bearing (3 of those). junk yard U- joints. Any old 3” pipe. All up the middle of the tower. Ours were heavy as hell but I’ll tell you what, once you had it set up right it didn’t take much to turn it. Great video dude you brought back some good memories! 👍🏻

[@williethepimp]

Thank you for the video. Although my plan is much smaller than yours the video helped me with some decisions. Keep up the good work.

[@JGordonBeattieJr]

Nicely done implementation and the video is complete and tight. I'm planning something similar on a Rohn 45.

[@woodyccc]

I really liked your design. I want to do something very similar on my Rohn 25G tower except I am going to put two tower leg rotor plates with thrust bearing below. I also like the idea of having a smaller diameter mast from the rotor up to, and inside the upper mast tube. Good idea. 73's K5OOL

[@VA3HDL]

Thanks Chris. 73.

[@billypate2479]

Very smart idea easier to service too!

[@denislacroix654]

Nice job, helpful as I am planning the same thing, and I have a discarded dish. How did you get the pipes in? From the bottom ? Did you use a gin pole? Best, 73 Va2LDN

[@VA3HDL]

I placed the pipes parallel to the tower, I stand on the roof of my house that is about 1/2 height of the tower, my son inserted the pipes a little below me in the tower and then I raised them until they were completely inside the tower, then I lowered the bottom pipe section and raise the top pipe section. They flex a little bit so it wasn't hard and they didn't bent at all. I hooked the top section first to the mast, then the bottom section in the middle, and to the rotator at the end when I went down. I've used a gin pole for raising the tower only. The rest of the stuff was pretty light and easy to raise. Good luck with your tower project and thanks for watching! 73

[@denislacroix654]

@@VA3HDL many thanks! I located my dish, it would fit… Spring project! Best wishes! Denis

[@azarellediaz4892]

I’ve never used a rotator, how do you get the wires in this setup all the way to the antennas and how do you keep them from getting tangled up?

[@VA3HDL]

Hi, the coaxial cables go tied up to the 3 corners of the tower. Depending on the flexibility of the coaxial it can go either directly connected to the antenna or a more flexible coaxial can be used on the last stretch. To prevent them to tangle the rotators do not spin freely. They only spin from 0 to 360 degrees (one turn) or 0 to 450 degrees (1 1/4 turn) Finally there is a big loop hanging from the end of the tower and the antenna that allows enough movement and prevents tangling, see at 2:00 - Thanks for watching

[@justcroatboy]

excellent! 73 de 9A3RU!! Mast material is Aluminium...or???

[@VA3HDL]

Correct, everything is aluminum, except the tower and the base of the rotator. 73 de VA3HDL

[@MarkHopewell]

Smashing.

[@DynoDieselWagon]

Interesting how the thrust bearings are held in place . Are they geometrically leveled & plumb ?

[@VA3HDL]

Yes they are. The top two (main mast) were assembled on the ground prior to raise to the top of the tower. The middle one in the tower was also assembled and leveled on the ground. The final geometrical adjustment was done during the final install. 73

[@JayN4GO]

40 ft of aluminum mast would be so so expensive yes? I like your design. I think these towers require 6sq feet wind load max ? Did you think of a tilt hinge plate also

[@VA3HDL]

Hi Jay, tilt hinge plate was my first preference but due to size lot limitations I couldn't fit the tilted tower in any direction. 40 ft aluminium mast not only would be expensive but also a lot heavier. The tubing I've used is much thinner than the mast section at the top and the piece coupling into the rotator. The wind load varies depending on the model of the tower. I reinstalled in the exactly same way that it was installed before with the previous owner (same antennas.) They only difference is I placed the rotator at the base. Thanks for watching and commenting! 73

[@JayN4GO]

@@VA3HDL what kind of alum tubing is it ?

[@VA3HDL]

@@JayN4GO All details posted on my website here www.va3hdl.com/projects/antenna-supporting-structure/part-6-rotor-and-axle

[@fredbryson8713]

That's sweet

[@TAKEONEURBANPRODUCTION]

What about the stress or weight onto the rotor since the bearing have no support plate its just held in place. I would assume some of that load is onto the rotor. I would solve this by using a support plate with rotor bearing bolted to thst middle tower and thus elevate the weight off the rotor? Let me know if this makes sense I still think your plans are great and diy savy..

[@VA3HDL]

Hi, there is zero stress at the rotor. The rotor was the last part installed on the system. At the top, supporting the mast there are two thrust bearings. One in the top plate as usual, and the other in the second plate where the rotor was originally. These two supporting the mast and the antennas. At the middle of the tower there is a third thrust bearing hanging from three hooks attached to the sides of the tower where the two sections of the tower bolt together, that is where is double thickness. That third bearing supports the aluminium tubes that "hangs" from there. The rotor was attached to the tube at that point and the tube is not even touching the flat end of the rotor. I hope that clears the details for you. Thanks for watching!

[@FilipeJorgeSilva]

It's a very nice project, but I'm not an expert however I believe that having the rotator on the botton of the tower it must be a stronger rotator them the one you have on top. Maybe I'm wrong

[@VA3HDL]

Hi Filipe, it should not be any big difference in torque due to the location. The shaft is aluminum and is very light. Also the shaft is hanging from the top on three thrust bearings and not resting over the rotator. 73

[@nivid01]

Great idea!

[@michaelm1keyhardy865]

Well done would love something like that on my square tower, as fed up with climbing the ladder and putting the beam to the north, must be an easy way to use a create RC5-1 rotator, it is too expensive to buy a lattice tower now, Mike M1KEY M0FCG

[@joekobas5962]

Nice, but painful to listen to the "EHs" after every other word.

[@VA3HDL]

Thanks for the feedback.