The mod for making the Braille rotor is in both. The directional indicator that Handi-Hams sells just connects across the control box. Steve, K8SP ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lou Kline" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, October 14, 2007 8:40 PM Subject: Re: accessible rotor Hi. I sure wish I had been on this list before I bought my Ham IV, because I never can tell which way the antenna is pointed. Is the mod in the control box or the rotator itself, or both? 73, de Lou K2LKK At 05:59 PM 10/14/2007 -0600, you wrote: >Gary, > >Norm's Rotor Service is > >www.rotorservice.com/ > >and he does repairs and sells rebuilt rotors as well as new. He's a great >guy. I bought a tail twister, used, from him many years ago, 160 feet of >heavy gage 8 conductor cable, and 160 of coax, plus the rotor came with the >Brailled control box. A tone sounds steady as the antenna turns and stops >when it reaches the position you pointed it using a large knob with raised >lines and Braille markings but you don't have to read Braille to figure out >directions. There used to be a talking rotor available years ago that did >exactly what you suggested. I forget it's name or manufacturer and I don't >know if it is even made any longer. It also had a voice to read the exact >digital reading and 8 programmable settings. I think you would find Norm's >rebuilt rotors worth the money and the control box more than adequate. If >Gary Jackson has a ham 4 to sell, even if it needs some repair, based on >today's new prices, you might be wise going that rout, even if you have to >send it off to Norm. It would come back a brand new rotor, that's for sure. >I was glad to see Norm still in business after 44 years and he is really a >helpful and friendly guy. I have one of his ham 4 rotors and control boxes >myself now because I sold my tail twister and 40 meter beam to a friend >years ago. I used an old ham M rotor without a blind marked rotor for years >but back then, I ran a 4 element 20 meter beam and you could literally hear >the signal drop off because the forward lobe was so narrow. When I sold the >4 element 20 meter beam and went to an old TH6 triband six element beam, it >was so broad in its directivity, I had a super hard time trying to point the >antenna on the signal so I eventually went to one of Norm's rotors. See >what Gary Jackson is asking for because you'll drop your false teeth when >you price a brand new ham 4 rotor. Getting Gary's rotor, shipping off to >Norm to have them go over it, might still save you a ton of money. A ham 4 >turns about anything you'd ever use unless you are getting monster antennas. >I believe the ham 4 rotors handle 10 square feet of antenna. My tail >twister handled 14 so for a couple of two meter and 450 beams and a hefty >tribander, and maybe even a rotatable dipole for 30 or 40 meters, the ham 4 >will still do the job. I think I am wrong. I think the ham 4 is 14 square >feet and my tail twister was 20 or something like that. That sounds more >like it. Norm's website gives all that information, however, so check him >out. > >Phil. >K0NX > > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Gary Smith" <[log in to unmask]> >To: <[log in to unmask]> >Sent: Sunday, October 14, 2007 3:48 PM >Subject: accessible rotor > > > > Hi everyone, > > > > I'm in the process of putting up a tower and beam. Is there any such >thing > > as an accessible rotor controller? Maybe one with voice readout or one >with > > a keypad so you can just put in the direction you want the beam to go and > > press enter? Any suggestions would be appreciated. > > > > > > > > 73 > > > > Gary, N5GD > > > > > >-- >No virus found in this incoming message. >Checked by AVG Free Edition. >Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.14.10/1070 - Release Date: >10/14/2007 9:22 AM Louis Kim Kline A.R.S. K2LKK Home e-mail: [log in to unmask] Work e-mail: [log in to unmask] Work Telephone: (585) 697-5740