Rotors for OTA: Channel Master, Nexxtech/Archer, Yaesu, Hy-Gain, Others

[majortom]

2nd negative, not really a big deal. Just a minor inconvenience.

It seems the remote from the LG TV I have is capable of controlling the device. The Volume UP/DN moves the Azimuth East / West.
However using the East / West buttons of the remote doesn't control the LG TV's Volume.

So, it seems the remote protocol it's using may not be very sophisticated, and easily fooled. Just a little annoying.
Workaround => Turn it off so it will ignore remote commands when not in use.

@threeflags. If ya read the Specs in the linked to Manual, it says the control box outputs 18 VDC, the motor draws 350 mA (max), and the motor subsequently can supply 17 VDC @ 50 mA (max) for a Preamp.
The label on the control box says it sources 18 VDC @ 450 mA.

[mkaye]

maybe this isn't the right forum
how do you synchronize the rotor with a PVR
if i set it to record a channel is there a way to get info out of the PVR to get the rotor to turn?

mark

[Archerotor]

I have a 20 year old AntennaCraft rotator (TDP-2) and now the brown, flat 20 gauge 3-wire rotator cable is starting to bubble and crack from the elements. Whereabouts can one buy that type of rotator cable or substitute something that is better? I'm in the Vancouver area of British Columbia. The rubber or plastic grommet at the side of the rotator motor housing has a flat slot to accept and hold securely the flat, parallel-arranged rotator wires and to keep out moisture.

[BOUVAL]

Archerotor,

14 gauge outdoor electrical wire would do.

Including the ground, you get 3 conductors.
.

[Archerotor]

Thanks BOUVAL.

I'll check it out.

[Archerotor]

I wonder if anyone here knows what manufacturer made the 1991 Radio Shack Archerotor Antenna Rotator? It came with the flat, brown 3-wire conductor to go from the box in the house to the rotator. I have a picture here:
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/albu...pictureid=5527

[Jaygeetee]

From the photo it looks like a RS 15-1245 which came with a heavy manual control box. I have one and it just says Radio Shack and made in China but I got mine around 1999.
I can also tell you that the 15-1245 is identical to the Channel Master CM 9521a. Both rotors work with either manual or remote controllers and use the flat brown 3 conductor wire.

[Archerotor]

Thanks Jaygeetee

If I can post a youtube link here, the rotator looks like this one, and the control box is very similar.
Archerotor - Channel Master control box
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYQ-1EvnT0c

[Jaygeetee]

Yup, looks and operates exactly like mine here.

[BOUVAL]

Archerotor,

Thinking of it, there's also the 2 pair outdoor telephone cable, it' flat, black, and has 4 conductors.

That's what I have here, one line for my business and another for my fax.
.

[Archerotor]

That might work. I know the old telephone 2-pair was 22 gauge, and I think the newer one to the house is 24 gauge. Was the flat 3-wire Radio Shack rotator cable multistrand, and not solid wire? It's a good idea, if there's problems finding the original, which, locally, I'd have to check some of the electronic stores. Maybe even satellite places, as some carry a bit of OTA equipment. There's a couple Radio places in Ontario as well that might have it. I'll check the voltage specs for the rotator cable against what the telephone cable is rated. My issue, is that the Radio Shack rotator cable jacket does not weather all that well and has started to peel and blister, while the coaxial cable is looking just a little faded from the sun.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by BOUVAL

Thinking of it, there's also the 2 pair outdoor telephone cable, it' flat, black, and has 4 conductors.

I wouldn't recommend telephone wire for a rotor as it is too small a gauge and will result in too large a voltage drop. It might work at first, but may cause problems later down the road. I wouldn't use anything smaller than 18 AWG. Solid or stranded doesn't matter much, but stranded is more flexible if you need to move the controller box around, though obviously in the walls and up the mast that doesn't matter.

[Jase88]

Sprinkler control wire is widely available (Rona, Home Depot, etc) and affordable. Makes for great rotator control cable.

I agree with Roger1818 above: two-pair phone cable isn't good enough. And not all of it is rated for outdoor use either.

[roger1818]

^^^While you are at it, get a bundle with 5 or 6 wires. While the CM rotor only uses 3 wires, other better quality rotors use more, so having that dragged in may save you effort down the road.

[Archerotor]

Thanks for all the experienced input. Stranded wire makes it more flexible. I never thought about that. It makes sense. Sprinkler wire? Would have never thought of that either. It's widely available too and here I'm wondering who has rotator wire? What is a good- not too heavy- but strong rotator for an OTA antenna. Mine is about 9.6 lbs. It's not supported by guy wires, and the upper mast is only about 12 - 14" long above the rotator. I know some of the bigger combo (CM, Winegard, AntennaCraft) antennas can get to almost 20 lbs, and some of the more professional ones even more. I thought about looking at a HAM radio site, but I'm sure people here will know a few good ones. That said, my Radio Shack one has been good for 21 years, and is still good. From what I've read, sometimes, if they stick, a good regreasing of the internals can fix it. Anyone have any ideas on the best type of grease, or method of doing that? Just the gears and the bearings need the grease?