VE6AB Mobile Ops
Antenna/Mast Assembly in Action
Note.....this video is a bit slow off the mark, give it about 10 seconds to spool up when clicking go. Its worth the wait, as the actual mast and antennas are seen turning.......
With the rotator all finished up, it was time to place it on my mobile, and with antennas mounted on the Max-Gain systems mast assembly, this video shows it being tested to see if it was up to the task.
The rotator is doing exactly what I had in mind, rotating the mast with antennas, and doing it without any issues that may possiblyhave cropped up.
I have to admit I was somewhat concerned as to whether or not the gearmotor that I selected would have enough torque to turn the mast and antennas, but in the end, it turns the mast assembly with ease.
The fact that the rotator assembly has a needle-bearing thrust bearing with hardened races that the mast assembly sits on plays a important part in the ease that the gearmotor turns the mast..
In case you missed the description elsewhere in this gallery, I have a 12VDC reversing/polarity controller mounted in the cargo bay, and when I have the rotator mounted in the hitch receiver, the controller is connected up to the rotator through a two conductor power cable that is temporally run through the open tailgate while operating as a stationary mobile.
To control the rotator, I am using a keyfob transmitter being held in my hand as seen in the video.
Here is an overview of the reversing polarity controller used to control the rotator.....
https://www.jerryclement.ca/HamRadio/VE6AB-Technical/i-qPBJ8m4
