Field day antennas and kits : part 5

Rotor use on field day:  Somehow, rotors have been deemed off-limits
in some unsaid word by amateurs during field day operations.  This is
nothing more than pure BS.  If you have a beam antenna then get that
rotor under the beam and use it, especially if you are running 'A'
for field day.

If you believe an amp or two draw on a generator for 30 secs is going
to ruin your power source, well ... what can I say.  Even in an 
emergency condition, it is not necessary to run a wire antenna and
have a car battery as a source of power every time. But that may be 
all you have.

Rotors work and they work well.  Pre-preps include quick disconnects
on control cables, lubrication of the bearings, U-bolt de-corrosion and 
lubrication, pre-testing as a MUST before using a rotor on field day
or in emergency use.

Rotors can be stored in storage boxes made of wood or old luggage.

SOME NOTES:

    o Do not over rate your rotor.
              - Light duty means light duty. Don't stack a 10m and
                20m beam on a rotor built for a TV antenna.

    o Do tin the wires before attaching them to rotor and/or controller.
              - Frayed wires are shorts waiting to happen.

    o Do not attach the control wires with the control box powered.

    o Do disconnect via the QD connector when lightning storms are
      in the area. (MOLEX) 
              - Power down the rotor and use the QD.  It's the one item
                we seem to forget in a lightning storm.


-WS