Very strong wind crashed my YAESU G-1000DXC azimuth rotator on 144 mhz antenna
(4 x 2M18XXX) one week before VP8DQE expeditions was activated from grid GD18BH (Falkland islands). But nothing happened with elevation rotator. So, it was possible to get new DXCC and main grid square to rotate antenna manually. Of course, I need to lower down a mast, to disconnect the rotator from the H-shaped frame and to ask the Lord that there was no wind…
After QSO was completed, on the next day the hard job was started. Few pictures below shows the process.
Step by step:
– some elements of a mast were cutted off;
– special tool for fixing mast after disconnection from reductor;
– screw jack for lifting up antenna’s mast;
– mast is lifted up and fixed;
– rotator removed,
– device for fixing mast.
I installed the same rotator, but older version: G-1000SDX, so no need to make new holes for screws.
But, what was happened with G-1000DXC rotator?
I opened the case and saw very pity view: both, upper and down gearbox plates are destroyed to a small pieces… Bad, bad, bad….
Crashed plates
I sent request for spare parts to YAESU United Kingdom. And they helped me very quick! I replace plates and made sensor’s adjustment, described here by Gregory, WC0EM.