Using diseqc-like functionality for rotors is easily engineered but manufacturers don't do it because it would be overkill. A satellite dish needs to be adjusted on two axes: horizontally by azimuth and vertically by altitude. Some diseqc controllers adjust skew as well. TV rotors only need to turn on one axis: horizontally by azimuth. That's why rotors have traditionally been built big, simple, and strong. Granted there are motorized TV antenna tilters out there, but they're not at all common.

As the need for giant VHF-LO antennas disappears we're seeing an influx of lightweight plastic-housed rotors, and I think we're seeing durability problems with them. Also as I've mentioned earlier my feeling is that the separation of the rotor wiring and the signal cable is a good thing in case of short circuits or other such electronic troubles.

As I say, when it comes to TV rotors the best ones are big, simple, and strong. :)

I'm having an issue with my new Channel Master 9521A rotor. For some reason it will not stay in sync very long...:confused: It's like the power is not there at the rotor sometimes...

When you press the up or down button on the remote or the unit itself, the antenna rotates to the proper location, but only about 10% of the time. Right after I sync it usually works as it should. Try changing the direction a half hour later, and it does not respond at all or only rotates part way to the desired location. Yet when I sync it, it rotates right away to get everything lined up again every time. Its all new wiring and I made sure the connections were good so I don't believe there are any issues there.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

I'm having an issue with my new Channel Master 9521A rotor. For some reason it will not stay in sync very long...:confused: It's like the power is not there at the rotor sometimes...
Which wiring are you using? I experienced intermittent operation with the supplied Channel Master rotor wire. (very thin like telephone wiring) Once I replaced it with Radio shack wire I haven't had any problems. (Knock on wood!!)

I do notice that the synchronization drifts a bit in colder weather though.

I'm using the 22 gauge 3 conductor wire that Save And Play sold me with the rotor. I'm using about 135 feet of it.

What gauge are you now using?

Thanks,

75 feet of 20 gauge.

I diagnosed the problem by taking the control unit on the roof & observed the behavior of the motor. It had actually stopped working altogether at that point.

Interesting... The instructions that come with the rotor, say you can use 22 gauge wire, up to 180 feet.

I'm going to call Channel Master on Monday, and see what they suggest.

Thanks,

20 gauge should be sufficient, but you eventually will need to diagnose the problem to see if the motor, control unit, or wire is the culprit.:(

I thought the motor was dying because I had exceeded the recommended mast length (plus 2 antennas) But it is still going strong almost 2 years later.:)

Update: After messing around with it a bit more, I noticed the control unit was getting quite warm... In fact the bottom of it was getting hot.:confused: Something was obviously wrong with it from day 1.

I exchanged it for a new one at Save and Replay, and all is now good with everything operating as it should.:)

Feb 15th is my last day using Shaw Direct, so now I'm all set.;)

I have a CM 9251A rotor that has lost its drive. The rotor can be turned by hand. I believe it needs to be repaired. Does anyone have experience they can share on repairing these rotors?

I am looking to replace the original BBMB Delhi bearing with something a bit heavier (gone through 3 in last 10 years). DMX-48.
Has anyone used a Yaesu TB-25 or something similar on this type of tower? Will it bolt onto the top plate or would I need to adapt it somehow? Rotor is mounted on the lower plate in the top tower section. Using 2" aircraft aluminum mast.
-C.

cham: What's happening with the thrust bearings? Seizing in the cold?!!

The biggest cause of failure for thrust bearings is non-centred rotation. Rotators are designed to facilitate centred rotation of the mast based on a certain diameter of the mast. If your mast is too thin, you'll need to shim it out in the rotator to the proper dimension. Failure to centre the mast will--depending on the rotator--exert strong forces against the thrust bearing in a manner that will cause premature failure.

Hi,
I Have a Channel Master 9521A Rotator and I know it's programable but I don't know how to do it. If someone can help me out to program it Please do help. I also know I can program it of each channel so I can find it later on by pressing the channel number into the Rotator.

I would like to program it for all the HD channels I get. How do I set it for Channel 57 and when I want the Antenna to turn for Channel 57 it will do that and I can program it as Channel 57 and I can also do it with the other channels?Programing in Memory the location of each of the channels so I can find it afterwards. I am in the Oakville Ontario area South of the Q.E.W. Near Winston churchill.

Thank you in advance.
Ted+

Jase,
The mast is centered... well at least to a millimeter or two.. as well as I could get it. The rotor is a T2X bu Hy-Gain, and I think it centers perfectly with the 2" OD mast. Any smaller it would require shims. Using the factory holes in the rotor plate that fit the rotor (had to drill two more for the T2X. Kind of overkill for TV antenna but price was right. Installed it witth the top section on the ground originally but replaced the bearings without removing the top of the tower, just pulled off the antenna and removed the mast. Never seemend to have any binding etc... but the bearings seem to last two to three winters then fail. They don't cease, they just loose their marbles, literally. I want to try something a bit heavier duty, these MMBM bearings seem too flimsy anyway.
Still thinking about that Yaesu bearing...
-C.

Hi,
I Have a Channel Master 9521A Rotator and I know it's programable but I don't know how to do it.Ted,

Once you have the antenna aimed for the appropriate channel, follow these 3 steps

1. Enter the channel # on the remote (01-69)
2. Press the arrow UP key in the lower left corner of the remote
3. Re-enter the same channel # again

The display should then flash to confirm a successful entry. If not, repeat the process, but remember that it has to be done fairly quickly to work. If you wait more than 4 or 5 seconds between these steps, the programming will fail.

Hope this helps!!

Hi,
Thank you for the info do you press the arrow up key at the same time as you enter the Channel Namber? Please do let me know and I do Thank you so much in advance.
Ted+
P.S. Is that a Good Rotator for a db8 Antenna or is there a better one that last much longer?

Cham , what I did for a bearing with my tower and 4228 was to go to TSC and got a heavy duty bearing used for agricultural stuff. For 10 bucks or so you get a half inch thick square plate with large bearing in the middle. The plate has 4 holes that you can bolt to the top plate of the tower. The mast goes thru the bearing and then down to the rotor within the tower.

Hi,
Thank you for the info do you press the arrow up key at the same time as you enter the Channel Namber? Please do let me know and I do Thank you so much in advance.
Ted+
P.S. Is that a Good Rotator for a db8 Antenna or is there a better one that last much longer?
No, each step is separate. Also remember that you must use 2 digit numbers when programming (ex;for 2, you must enter 02 and so on for 1-9).

The 9521 should work fine for the DB8 as long as the mast is less than 5 feet. Channel Master recommends no more than 3 feet of mast above the rotor. I use a 5 foot mast with 2 antennas (91-XG & YA-1713). So far, so good after 3 years of moderate usage.:D

Hi,
Thank you again for your info. I think my pole is about 6' but it's a very light pole. Not sure what it's made of but it's light as I said. Will that be ok? Please do let me know. Thank you.
Ted+

That may be pushing it. The DB8 has a good deal of wind resistance.

Hi,
I hope not as the pole is light I thought just to leave it at that height. The Antenna is lower down the pole. I hope that is O.K. Let me know Please and I do Thank you for all your Help.
Ted+