Antenna rotor:
For whom? What for? Which one?

Does an antenna rotor make sense in my radio system? If so, which antenna rotor is the right one? What do I have to pay attention to? If you are asking yourself these questions, we have the answers here.

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  1. Yaesu Rotors w. Controller, G-450, G-1000, G-2800
    Yaesu Rotors w. Controller, G-450, G-1000, G-2800

    Azimuth rotors G-450CDC, G-1000DXC und G-2800DXC, with YAESU or ARCO controller, without cable

    In stock, shipped in 1 to 2 days

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    As low as: €389.00
    incl. VAT, plus shipping €326.89
  2. Yaesu rotors without controller, G-450, G-1000, G-2800
    Yaesu rotors without controller, G-450, G-1000, G-2800

    Azimuth rotors G-450CDC, G-1000DXC and G-2800DXC, single (without controller)

    In stock, shipped in 1 to 2 days

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    As low as: €298.00
    incl. VAT, plus shipping €250.42
  3. microHAM Advanced Rotor Controller - ARCO
    microHAM Advanced Rotor Controller - ARCO

    Universal controller for antenna rotors of almost all manufacturers

    Available in 50 days

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    As low as: €785.00
    incl. VAT, plus shipping €659.66
  4. RAS Horizontal/Vertical Satellite Rotator
    RAS Horizontal/Vertical Satellite Rotator

    RAS with controller and software

    In stock, shipped in 1 to 2 days

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    €1,240.00
    incl. VAT, plus shipping €1,042.02
    SKU 25082
  5. RAK Antenna Rotator
    RAK Antenna Rotator

    RAK Rotor with controller and software

    In stock, shipped in 1 to 2 days

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    €765.00
    incl. VAT, plus shipping €642.86
    SKU 25080
  6. 4O3A Rotor Genius Control Unit
    4O3A Rotor Genius Control Unit

    Flexible rotor control unit for many different rotor types, controlled by Windows or Android programs.

    In stock, shipped in 1 to 2 days

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    €885.00
    incl. VAT, plus shipping €743.70
    SKU 4O-RG
  7. AR-500X Light Antenna Rotator
    AR-500X Light Antenna Rotator

    Light antenna rotor for small antennas up to 30kg,weight 4 kg.

    In stock, shipped in 1 to 2 days

    €257.00
    incl. VAT, plus shipping €215.97
    SKU 25018
  8. Rotator control cable 25m Yaesu & ARCO, ready to use
    Rotator control cable 25m Yaesu & ARCO, ready to use

    25m ready to use rotor control cable with connectors

    In stock, shipped in 1 to 2 days

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    €79.00
    incl. VAT, plus shipping €66.39
    SKU 25028
  9. BIG-RAK Antenna Rotator
    BIG-RAK Antenna Rotator

    BIG-RAK Rotor with controller and software

    In stock, shipped in 1 to 2 days

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    €1,185.00
    incl. VAT, plus shipping €995.80
    SKU 25081

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FAQ

How can I find the right position for my antenna rotor?
The best position for an antenna rotor depends on various factors such as geographical location and type of antenna. Accurate alignment can be achieved by using tools such as a signal strength meter. It is also recommended to research the available stations in your region to determine the optimal alignment.
How do I install an antenna rotor?
Installing an antenna rotor typically requires a certain level of technical know-how and electrical skills. It is advisable to hire a qualified technician to ensure the installation is properly done and there is no danger involved.
Can I control my antenna rotor with a remote?
Yes, there are motorized antenna rotors that can be controlled with a remote. This allows you to adjust the antenna alignment from another location without having to be near the rotor.

The antenna rotor

An antenna rotor - what for? To improve reception!

Antenna rotation systems open up new possibilities: With a rotor, you can turn a directional antenna exactly in the direction from which the signal with the best signal-to-noise ratio comes. This makes the desired signal (useful signal) louder and easier to understand. Your radio connection becomes more reliable and secure. An antenna rotor is the prerequisite for using a directional antenna, because only with it can you also align a directional antenna.

rotor

Why a directional antenna?

A directional antenna allows you to reach distant stations because directional antennas are more powerful: They have a longer range, a better signal strength that prevails over other signals and thus ensures better intelligibility, even with weak signals.

antenna rotor
For whom is an antenna rotor suitable?
antenna icon

Antenna rotators are suitable for radio amateurs and shortwave listeners who want to install a rotatable directional antenna on the roof or in the garden. All you need is the possibility to set up an antenna system on a building or property (home, company, farm, garden hut in the allotment garden).

antenna rotor icon

Of course, it is also possible to use a portable antenna system: The mobile version is particularly interesting for radio amateurs who want to set up an antenna with friends in the countryside for a short time and transmit.

antenna building

If you live in a flat and cannot get permission to install an antenna system, you still don't have to give up radio: You can set up a system at another location and use interfaces to transmit from home.

What antenna rotor systems are there?

Basically, there are two types of rotor systems:

The Azimuthal System

With the azimuthal rotor system you can only rotate your antenna 360° parallel to the horizon, but not in elevation to the sky.

The Elevation/Azimuth System

This rotor system uses two rotors: one rotor allows 360° rotation in the azimuth direction, the other allows elevation in the elevation direction. You need such an antenna rotor for satellite radio because the signal comes from above.

antenna rotor
How is an antenna rotor mounted?

You have two options: You can operate the antenna rotor with or without a top bearing. With a top bearing, you can safely set up much larger antenna systems, but the construction is more complex.

1. standpipe | 2. rotor with upper clamp set | 3. platforms | 4. lower clamp set | 5. upper bearing | 6. rotary tube | 7. roof duct (lead tile)

Without upper bearing

Here, the rotor is placed on a fixed standpipe, which is mounted on a wall or in the roof truss. On top of the rotor is a rotating tube that carries the antennas. When it is windy, the antennas (depending on the area of the antennas) offer resistance to the wind. This creates a force (the bending moment) that acts laterally on the rotor. This force is all the stronger the longer the rotating tube is (leverage).

Without an upper bearing, the rotor must be able to absorb this bending moment (= wind force x lever force) completely on its own without being damaged.

With upper bearing

The antenna rotor is used together with another bearing. This is fitted at the top and is therefore called the upper bearing. The rotating tube goes through the upper bearing and ends in the rotor, which sits further down. This construction significantly stabilises the system and allows it to withstand much more wind power. The decisive factor here is the distance between the upper bearing and the rotor: the greater the distance, the more force can act on the antenna without causing damage.

However, the construction effort increases with an upper bearing - additional components are needed, such as a standpipe, lattice mast, platform for the upper bearing and so on.

Buying an antenna rotor - but which one? What to look out for?

If you want to use an antenna rotor, you must make sure that it fits the physical conditions such as wind strengths, antenna size and weight so that the safety of the antenna system is guaranteed.

The main selection criteria for a rotor are load-bearing capacity and torsional and bending moment. These values limit the maximum height and size of the antenna system and the number of antennas.

The load-bearing capacity: what weight can the antenna rotor bear?

What is the maximum weight of the antennas together with the rotating tube and all cables? The load capacity indicates the maximum weight of the antenna system above the rotor. This value is independent of whether the system is set up with or without upper bearing. It is measured in kg (kilograms).

The bending moment:
how much wind can the antenna rotor take?

The bending moment defines the maximum lateral force that may act on the rotor between the upper and lower ends of the rotor. The moment is given in Nm (newton metres) and is made up of the wind area, i.e. the area on which the wind can impinge, the maximum wind force to be expected and the length of the rotary tube. This value is highly dependent on whether the system is installed with or without a top bearing.

The torque:
what mass can the rotor turn?

The torque is the maximum force of the rotor to turn and also to brake an antenna system. A large and heavy antenna system has a large mass and therefore a large inertia to overcome. If the antenna is too large and heavy for the rotor, the motor or the gears of the rotor may break down. Information on this can be found in the technical data of the rotor.

When the desired direction is reached, the entire mass must be braked again; the force required here is the braking torque. In order to come to a standstill during the braking process, the torque = braking torque. The torque is given in Nm (newton metres).

The braking torque:
what if the wind wants to turn the antenna?

The braking torque is not only the force it takes to stop a rotational movement. - It is also the force that keeps the antenna in position when the wind wants to turn the antenna. This can be the case if the antennas on the left and right of the rotating tube are unevenly sized. The force it takes to keep the antenna aligned against wind forces can be quite a bit greater than the force that slows down the rotor-controlled antenna rotation.

What needs to be considered here?
Does the rotor drive also brake unwanted rotation from standstill? That depends on which drive system the rotor uses: Gearboxes with a worm drive also serve as a brake, but gearboxes with gears still need an additional mechanical brake.

Further selection criteria for the purchase of an antenna rotor
Does the rotor or the control unit offer a soft start and a soft stop?
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So a slow acceleration and deceleration of the rotational speed? This is important, because if a heavy antenna system is jerkily slowed down or accelerated, enormous forces occur, so that damage can occur.

What is the electrical way of signalling the current direction (potentiometer, pulse generator, compass)?
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The indication of the compass direction can be displayed in different ways, which have different advantages and disadvantages depending on the user's needs.

What mechanical properties such as maximum pipe diameter, rotation range (360°, 450°...) rotation speed etc. are there to consider?
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1. the pipe diameter: the diameter determines the stability of the installation: thin pipes can carry less.

2. the rotation range: of course, the rotation range should be at least 360°. A larger turning range is more comfortable, because you don't always have to go completely around.

3. the rotation speed: complete rotation takes 45 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on the rotor model. If a rare station can only be reached for a short time, then a fast rotation is of course an advantage. Don't forget: the faster you turn the more violent the impulse is when braking....

Is remote controllability possible for computers and/or remote controlled stations?
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Remote-controlled stations have become increasingly important in recent years. Radio amateurs who cannot set up an antenna system at home also want to use the radio. For this purpose, they operate a radio system together with friends, for example in a clubhouse outside. This is a great way to transmit without interference from the city. To do this, the entire station must be controllable via the internet: the radio must be operated, the received audio signal as well as the transmission signal must be transmitted and the rotor must also be operated. There are many programmes that facilitate and support this. The technical prerequisite for this is a control unit that supports remote controllability.

The control unit of an antenna rotor

Why is a control unit important for the operation of an antenna rotor?

An antenna rotor cannot be operated without a control unit. Basic models are usually supplied. The minimum requirements for a control unit are: Power supply, sensors and display for the current direction, as well as operating elements to control rotations.

Optionally, there are connection possibilities for remote control. For retrofitting, there are control units that enable much more comfortable radio control. For example, the possibility to save directions or the preselection: here the control unit takes over the entire rotation, i.e. smooth starting, turning and braking at the target. We describe details below.

Make sure that the rotor and the control unit match!

How do I operate the control unit of an antenna rotor?

There are three ways to operate the rotor or the control unit for it:

  • manual
  • semi-automatic
  • automatic
1.manual control units

Manual control units are the simplest version of a control unit: when turning manually, the button for left or right rotation is pressed and held until the desired direction is reached. You have to keep an eye on the display during the turning process and check how far the antenna has already been turned. This may well take two minutes. If you have overshot the mark, you have to steer back manually.

2. semi-automatic control units

Semi-automatic control units offer the possibility to pre-select a direction. All you have to do is press the start button and the antenna moves automatically to the preselected position. You do not need to constantly look at the display, but can devote yourself to the radio again.

3. automatic control units

Automatic control devices or the connection to the computer are particularly convenient:

You can select a stored direction or the computer automatically selects the best direction based on the callsign or QTH locator entered: You can enter Japan and the antenna will automatically turn in the cardinal direction stored for it.

For connections via low-flying satellites that move very quickly across the sky, fully automatic tracking is indispensable: Here, a programme on the computer calculates the flight path for the desired satellite and automatically tracks the antenna direction.

Can I control my antenna rotor remotely via the internet?

Yes, this is possible without any problems.

Higher-quality control units have the corresponding connections. With simpler or older models, you have to connect the cables manually.

Antenna rotor accessories

What should be considered when selecting rotor control cables?
Cable cross-section

Each rotor manufacturer specifies a different number of cores in the cable: Yaesu uses five or six cores, Hy-Gain six or eight, other manufacturers even use ten cores.

It is important that the thickness of the cores matches the length of the cable: The longer the cable, the thicker the cores should be! You can easily lay cables with a length of 50m or more, but the cable should have a cross-section of at least 0.5mm², even 0.75mm² would be better.

Solar radiation

You should protect the rotor control cable from sunlight! Note that not every cable is inherently well equipped against UV radiation.

Connector

The matching plugs are usually supplied with the antenna rotor.

Which accessories for antenna rotors and control units are useful?

The accessories required depend on the type of structure you want:

  • For a rotor with upper bearing, you need the upper bearing itself and one or two rotor platforms for mounting.
  • For somewhat uneven floors, there are compensating plates, which also dampen the sound of the motor at the same time due to the rubber bearings.
  • Most rotors are supplied with only one set of clamps (for the top), which is sufficient for mounting on a platform or on the floor. However, if the rotor is to be mounted on a standpipe, it is essential to have another pair of such clamps for the bottom.
Are there any questions left unanswered?

Contact us - we will be happy to answer your questions.

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