Bob: In my previous QTH, I used a Yaesu G5400 to sling a 12x12 K1FO 2m yagi (homebrew), an M2 2x 22 el 70cm yagi, a 4 foot L-band helix, and a 3 foot very light aluminum S-band dish with helical feed (military surplus). It worked fine.
Caveats: The yaesu elevation rotor has little torque, so you MUST be balanced about the elevation axis, or it won't work, or the rotor will fail. Get this right, and it will work for years.
There are other design "issues" with the G5400 by which I have been burned. I can share direct if you like.
Good luck with it all! 73, Jim [email protected]
[email protected] wrote:
Hello Bob is planning a new L/S redesign. Before I pick up my hack saw I would like some opinions/advice etc. The dish-a 54X48 inch prime star. The feed -a short helix for L & S side by side in line with the fan pattern. I beleieve W0LMD tried co-wound helixes with mixed results. On the same boom is a 2M & 70cm yagi. With all this antenna and counter weight is it too much for my G5400 elevation rotor? Plan "B"- use a actuator similar as described in http://www.qsl.net/sv1bsx/actuator/actuator.html . I have some actuators and a lot of hacksaws and I'm not afraid to use them. With only 10watts and some hardline I feel this dish might be necessary for a HEO on L band, and I might as well use it on S. I also have a 12foot TVRO but that's another story (project) for another day. As always your opinions/advice even ridicule is appreciated. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb