A rotator—often incorrectly referred to as a “rotor”—is an essential piece of equipment for positioning a directional antenna. Mounted on the antenna mast, the rotator is moved by a controller which allows the operator to point the antenna in the desired direction for maximum performance. When selecting a rotator for your application, some of the features to look for include wind load capacity, vertical load capacity, degree of precision, controller compatibility, mast sizes it accommodates, level of water protection, and ease of installation.
DX Engineering carries rotators from Hy-gain, Yaesu, Channel Master, and M2. At Dayton Hamvention 2019, DX Engineering introduced its own rotator, the heavy-duty DX Engineering RT4500HD. Currently undergoing extensive testing, the rotator will be available in Spring 2020. Check out this video of its unveiling at Hamvention.
The RT4500HD features a wind load capacity of more than 35 square feet; needle thrust bearings that can handle up to 2,000 lbs. of vertical load; high ratio worm gear drive powered by a heavy-duty 24 VDC motor; accuracy within +/-0.075 degrees; removeable panel that allows access to a pulse counter switch without removing rotator; and hardened steel gears welded onto steel shafts to prevent slippage and shearing of key pins. Click here for more details and to place your no-risk reservation for DX Engineering’s heavy-duty RT4500HD Antenna Mast Rotator
