Each directional antenna must have a rotator. Without it, it's just not the same. Mechanical rotators are constructed DIY. Their main advantage is the speed of antenna rotation and price. Electric ones are produced by various companies. Probably the smallest rotator on the market is the AR-300 XL.
It can be bought for around 3000,- Sk at any bazaar. The manufacturer declares it as a small rotator for satellite, TV, radio, and amateur antennas. When I bought it a year and a half ago, I didn't give it much chance of survival in the conditions I prepared for it....
| Vertical load | 45 kg |
| Power supply voltage | 220 - 240 V AC |
| Consumption | 37 VA |
| Interconnecting cable | 3-core |
| Maximum load | 600 kg/cm |
| Rotation angle | 360 + 5° |
| Time to rotate 360° | about 60 s |
| Diameter of the supporting pillar | 38 - 50 mm |
| Diameter of the antenna mast | 28 - 44 mm |
| Weight | 4.6 kg |
Rotator control unit
The first thing you'll see after unpacking from the box is the control unit. It has a single transparent rotating element on it, which we use to set the desired direction. Below it is an indicator of the actual azimuth, which starts moving after turning the rotating element. There is also an angular scale on the front panel (N, E, S, W - in German). Unfortunately, it's not rotatable, as is the case, for example, in Yaesu control units, so tuning with the real azimuth is a bit more demanding. It's easier to draw your own scale.
Rotator
The second thing you unpack is the rotator itself. A alloy sprayed in green-gray. The connection between the fixed and rotating parts is covered with a rubber cover to prevent water from entering the rotator. The last thing in the box is a bag with screws, U-hooks, washers, and nuts. You will need to get a three-core interconnecting cable, which will be attached to the terminal blocks on both sides.
Since I didn't want to delve into such a mechanically demanding thing that a rotator definitely is, I can only guess what mechanical transmissions look like.
When rotated frequently (for example in a contest), the control unit tends to heat up. However, it does not cause any interference (at least I haven't noticed any). While working, you can hear a purring sound, which is quite loud but not unpleasant.
I prepared a load for this rotator in the form of 3 elements. yagi on 10 m and almost 7m vertical (there was nowhere to place the second tower, hi). I couldn't find the original top bearing, so I made something similar from angles that hold the mast tube of the antennas. In the year and a half that I have been using it, it has survived two winters (even -25°C) and two to three strong winds (approximately 100 - 120 km/h). There is no noticeable wear on it, it still works as well as the first time.
I think it's an underrated rotator. It is characterized by an excellent price/performance ratio. It is definitely suitable for most hf antennas, and smaller HF antennas. I highly recommend it.