[amsat-bb] Yaesu G-5500 question

[Burns Fisher]

I do not have a counterbalance; I had planned to but somehow just never got
to it.  I do, however, set my "park" position to be up at 90 degrees.  Of
course that means the wind tries harder to rotate the elevation rotor, but
gravity tries less hard.

That said, I am starting to have a problem.  I think it is the feedback pot
that is getting noisy, although at first I thought I had stripped a gear.
 The pot issue should not relate to a counterweight of course!

On Thu, Apr 2, 2020 at 12:27 PM Bob Hammond via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
wrote:

> Jim, that's the very reason I installed a counterbalance.
>
> Everyone, my question really was based on what I'm seeing when my antennas
> rotate in AZ.  Given the moment arm of the counterbalance (about 3 feet)
> and 5 LB weight on the end, once the rotor stops at an azimuth, I get about
> 3 cycles of wobble back and forth.  It does not affect satellite signal
> (beam width) but I was wondering what it was doing to my rotor gears.
>
> On the other hand, it's been like that for over 6 months of operation with
> no issues.
>
> It could be I'm finding comfort in worrying about something ELSE at this
> time....if you get my meaning.
>
> 73,
>
> Bob W7OTJ
>
> On Thu, Apr 2, 2020 at 8:13 AM jim--- via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
> wrote:
>
> > Bob Hammond asked (in part):
> > > I have my M2 LEO antennas plus a WiMo 23cm helical antenna end-mounted
> > on a
> > > fiberglass boom with the G-5500.  I also placed a counterbalance lead
> > > weight opposite the antennas.
> >
> > > How many of you with similar antennas and a G-5500 have NOT used a
> > > counterbalance?  Any issues?
> >
> > I would highly recommend against using any substantial antenna
> arrangement
> > on an elevation rotor without it being balanced.  If it is not balanced,
> > you are putting far more strain on the gears and motor.  Try this to
> > understand the difference.  Take your antenna, and hold it at one end
> with
> > one hand.  Point it at the horizon.  Then rotate it so it points straight
> > up.  Now move your hand so it is at the balance point, and repeat the
> > demo.  Which one do think is easier?  Don't have an antenna handy, use a
> > long piece of pipe, or conduit, or rebar, or even a stick or baseball
> bat.
> >
> > 73
> > -----
> > Jim Walls - K6CCC
> > jim at k6ccc.org
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
> Opinions
> > expressed
> > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
> > AMSAT-NA.
> > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
> program!
> > Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
> >
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
> expressed
> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
> AMSAT-NA.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>