Trying to get the Yaesu G-450 to Rotate the Whole Tower
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- Pushing the limits of the Yaesu control cable length and mechanical strength. This video was recorded last Saturday (19th Oct) with Mike M0MSN and myself.
/ @mike-m0msn
Last time out, we had a successful first lift and have had it guyed and upright for a week before fitting trying to fit the control cables for the rotator.
Before that, we broke the Create Rotator. We fished out the Yaesu G-450 and did a successful "launch" with a 6:1 pulley.
This is a 12m tower project for an HF Yagi / Quad etc. long story.. BUT the guys are dual-use as both a 40m 4-Square switchable antenna array - as well as the tower. ALl lines will be replaced with Dyneema after we've sorted it all out.
There will be 4 vertical antennas coming off each guy point. Accuracy is mandatory for both the 4-square (impedance matching and gain etc) and you'll see shortly in another video why they need to be spot on because when we move to a non-stretch Dyneema rope, all 4-guys need to have same tension when the tower is lowered and raised.
Further, the tower needs to be totally detuned from 40m so we have a fibreglass insulator to change the resonance to around 9MHz. We COULD add a further insulator above the rotator to move that to about 24MHz. More of that in later video. There will be a temporary yagi going up on the top of this tower which will give me time to develop the multi-band quad antenna.
The rotator will eventually be replaced. The vertical force specification on the G450 is 200Kg. I broke the Create RC5-1 which had double that. There are no sideways loads on the base of the tower so I only need to worry about vertical loads.
The start of the construction is here: • Building the Antenna M...
"Part 1" is this one • 40 ft / 12m Tower Proj...
The "disaster" video is here: • Tower Project - Disast...
We covered the planning of this tower on a previous video: • Cheap Tilt-Over Tower ...
We also made a video about Quads - which is the target of this tower: • Cubical Quad Antennas,...
And here is some information about 4-Square antennas which will surround the tower (tower will be de-tuned off 40m): • How does a 4-Square An...
The NEXT video in this series is when we fit the top of the tower, fit all the lines (ropes), add an extra guy-point and make the tower fully operational - as well as site the 4-vertical elements (non functional currently until we connect it).
The next video after that one in this series is to make a temporary yagi mono-bander for 20m and fire at USA. Then finally, rotator cable, ethernet, control wires etc up the pole.
Finally, we will lay the radials down for the 4-square and connect up the control box.
you two bring new meaning to the saying boys don't grow up their toys get more expensive...Mike could bring mirth, happiness and good old fashioned silliness to the most mundane of situations.....so funny
Yeah - he's a good egg!
We need more mike on the channel. I have had a good laugh watching you two.
Excellent that was one for the books, and I'll go straight to the next video Callum.🙊🙉🙈💯👍
When using lineman's splicing tape (self amalgamating tape) you should stretch it to about 2 times it's original length before wrapping it and wrap it under tension. In short order it fuses into a solid mass never to be removed again short of cutting it off with a knife. Wrap high quality electrical tape over it to protect it from UV. In commercial antenna installations they then coat it with 3M brand FP coating which is a brush on electrical environmental sealant.
I was thinking the same thing as you, pull out that tape so it melts together better
I come here for Calum's antenna genius expecting my brain to hurt by the end of the video....I leave here with my face and stomach hurting from laughing with a sore neck from shaking my head at the pure genius of it all!....Brilliant!
Sad ham my ass!
Sad Hams.. Yeah - not hear! LOL :)
A) Another great video in the antenna farm series. B) You two have way too much fun! and C) Mike should ALWAYS have the camera! Keep em coming. 73
I'll let him know!
You and Mike together on a project takes at least twice as long but it's twice as much fun. I laughed most of the way through the video. Y'all keep on working on the project and keep on having fun. It's a treat to watch.
Glad you enjoyed it! More to come :)
Priceless entertainment while sitting down with me coffee before I head off to work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAHA
You guys are so much fun! So much joy with you two working together. So much laughter. Great to see. 73
😊 thank you
What a great video to watch first thing in the morning! Nothing better than starting my day with laughter. Keep up the good work.
You bet!
I hope you realize that these video's you guys do are entertaining and teaching us really good stuff! Thanks again!
Glad you enjoy it!
Great to see you guys working together and having a laugh. This captures what ham radio really is all about like minded people having fun and sharing skills. Mikes a great mate to have. Cheers 73’s. M7FLL
Yep.. Nothing like mucking about with the cables!
Great work ! Mike is a bit crazy but his knowledge and work in the radio hoppy is top notch ! Yes Haden from VK land did a great video on that tape .That What we do hear to handle out NY winters. It was Mike video on the T2LT antenna I used for reference to build my own . I just adjusted length for the EU and UK CB bands . The nano VNA found the dip in SWR for me. and the smith chart helps me tune coil . Them poor sheep watching you 2 work . LOL Cheers from NY !
Cheers!
You two are as mad as a box of frogs! Please keep it up. Thanks so much.
Always!
The tech comedy duo. Callum we all need a Mike sidekick 😂
Electrical tape is to reduce UV exposure.
What I did was the following:
1) First wrap of electrical tape.
2) Wrap of vulcanizing/amalgamating tape.
3) Then electrical tape (for a layer of "UV" protection)
[Start wrapping bottom up to help shed water]
The first wrap is so that if you ever have to cut it off: your knife 🔪 won't damage the cable (and it peels off once you get it started)
I cut an RF cable with an exacto knife in -40C (-40F) up a tower once. Learned my lesson.
Great tip!
Very amusing and enjoyable ! In this crazy world we need much more of this.,..
More to come!
Nothing like two mates having a good time 😅. Live long and prosper. Cheers😂
Live Long!
My favorite method of connector seal: First layer of electrical tape (Scotch 33) applied with the sticky side out. Second a layer of of the amalgamated tape (coax seal). Third, a layer of electrical tape sticky side down. The first layer of tape keeps the "tar" off the cable in case you want to take it back apart someday. The coax seal is for water proofing. And the last layer of tape is for UV protection. I've had connectors last for decades using this method. 73 & have fun! K9ZF
Good stuff, as always so much HAM knowledge. I thought my wife was the only one that wears two pair of glasses at the same time
Mike and I both do :)
I need to take a trip to the UK!
You two are hilarious together.
I would happily watch the 1RPM pole for a while!
.. or paint dry!
This video captures what amateur radio should be about - having fun!
Brilliant!!! Good mates are priceless!
Nice garment tag on your vest. Reminds me of Minnie Pearl😂
You guys are a hoot!
I love watching your movies. They always put a smile on my dial.
Oh, you fellas deserve each other. Very entertaining you lot.
We agree!
This might be my favorite video yet!
Guys, thank you two for the big laughs during this episode.
Cheers
Marc 😂
You guys are having way too much fun... - Cheers!
Love you two together the fun you have, I wonder what your like with w few beers🤣
Love it 🤣🤣🤣🤣cheers from down under 🇦🇺
Cheers!
Complete madness - I love it!
That was a great belly laugh at the end there!
Reminds me of an old comedy, but informational as well ! 😂
Glad to hear that!
Love watching you videos iam addicted already iam doing my foundation course so hopefully be on the air soon
G'luck!!
What a laugh! I really needed that today! Much love.
Over here in Australia we have the cockatoos they will bought at it. If you scare them away they come back with vengeance and his mates. I don’t know how many times I’ve replaced my N-feed wire
Ugh!
You guys are a riot!!
Mike's laugh reminds me of Muttley. One can never not laugh when Mike is laughing 😂
Made my evening, it's like watching the two Ronnie's
Good night from him!
that tape will let you live long and prosper. Then again maybe not... Brillant stuff mate. You and Mike do need to perform a traveling comedy road show. The end... OMG... and all that with out any beer.
Hahaha!!
you two are a cut up, good friends...
I haven't decided if in this video you two are, Abbot and Costello or Laurel and Hardy. I'm having a good chuckle this morning.
When I use to install antennas, I applied the rubber tape, I then wrapped it in 3M 77 electrical tape 3 wraps going past the rubber tape at least 1" on both sides, and Mike is correct, it is for UV protection as the rubber tape is not UV resistant and will break down in short time.
Ah good tip!
It’s alright, Mike. I’ve lost mine.
Morecambe and wise reborn BRILLIANT....
Ollie and Stan😵💫
great job guys all my conection i use this tape and electic tape is a added protection from water and weather
And all with no alcohol this time 😂top job guys🙌
Coffee only today!
A little trick with self amalgamating tape. First wrap the connector with electrical tape backwards, aka glue side out. Then go over it with the self-amalgamating tape, and finally wrap the whole thing in electrical tape. Go about an inch further at both ends for each layer. The reversed tape makes sure that the self-amalgamating doesn’t stick to the connector, making it a whole lot easier to strip if you ever need to, and makes it easier to wrap the self-am. The final layer acts as UV protection. If you want to be really fancy, the inner tape should be 3M Super 33+ and the outer Super 88, with a good self-am. in between. This is how we protect connectors on commercial installations in arctic conditions, where the design lifetime is 20 years at the top of a tower exposed to the elements.
That is a really useful tip. Many thanks.
Yeah - a few folks have said that..
There is a tubular tool you use to be able to remove the pins on Molex plugs. I have one around here somewhere and never find it if I need it, and will have to get another. The tube presses over the pin, goes in and compresses the little fingers that spread to retain the pin the the plastic housing. All that said, what I'd do is go to a hobby shop and look at the rack of K&S tubing. K&S make various sizes of brass and aluminum tubing, and other brass stuff. The sizes are even telescoping. I'm sure you can find a size that will work for this. Just glue the end into a dowel or plastic file handle or something. The pins and sockets in Molex connectors come as a male or female. Also, there are two different sizes, so make sure of the size tubing you buy. I used to use Molex plugs for battery packs for R/C electric cars and planes, and we use them now for the power socket on most radios. I would much prefer Anderson Powerpoles to be on the back of radios, and some are doing that. Anyway, you can make your own Molex removal tool.
That's the point.. I have so many tools and even after a total tidy up, I forget where I located it!
The old days, are we really that old haha.
Yeah the new 450 has changed a lot more than you think, DC the biggest change but I actually like the clamps.
Hello Lord Callum: Congratulations on getting your rotor to operate. Question sir. Didn't you bench test the rotor & calibrate the rotor control box to the rotor head prior to installation in your antenna testing field ???? If I may make a suggestion Callum. Since you are out in your antenna testing field always connecting & taking things down wouldn't it be possible to bring a cart or a wagon with wheels to carry all the required tools & test equipment. Then you won't loose tools or put them down & can't find the tools you will need later, in other words ya keep everything together in one place. God Bless you, Wendy, & the dogs. TMP, Unit 22 from N.J.
Nope. Backpack is fine. And where the hell am I to store a cart?
Very entertaining 😂 perfect for Friday viewing
Top banana!
I think the coffee had a little bit of spice added 😂. Great fun!
I wish!
You two are having to much fun..............but then that's what it's all about.
Oh yes :)
You guys have way too much fun! LOL
congratulations! i am also using the g450 a very reliable rotor. For working remote you could just add the microham ARCO controller thats a great piece of gear and works well with the yaesu. you can turn the antenna over the internet after.
Could do.. Or Rotator Genius. Not much more for 2 x rotators too.. Then there's the ERC VERSION 4 for $100. I think I'll do that since I use a remote desktop app for antenna switching and the software can work that way etc..
@@DXCommanderHQyes the ERC i know and used here in germany. works also good, can be integrated into the 450 original controller so you get a USB out for the logbook control.
The best laugh I've had tonight 😂 .
I would tape over connector, then formed a loop in the cable to try and avoid the cable pulling on the connector.
Pcv tape over top as the rubber tape degrades in UV.
There's no "pull" but I hear you.
Well, it's the crows up here that peck at the black windowrubber seals so it could be your right in wrapping with electrical tape.
A word of warning. Make sure you are at 180 degrees before you tape your coax to the mast below the rotator. Otherwise you will tighten it up more than necessary as you rotate it
Have no fear.. There will be FAR TOO MUCH coax - and plenty to offset 180 degrees too.
It's a lng time since i have seen an episode of the two Ronnies.............just sat'n
Good night from him Roly!
"The purest among us would cut all that out ummm... but it work so we'll just tape over it" lol
Haha Yes!
Stretch SAT about 3-4 times its original length to fully release the chemicals to create the bonding
I use Denso tape it is more robust and also lasts for ever, but if you do use it, do it with rubber gloves as it is covered in a gel like substance
Woah!
Woof woof.....
I've Spocked it; lets choose "I've warf'd it!" He was a Klingon, which is what tape does. :)
Klingon. Starboard side!
Good odd job😂! Cheers. I've never worked with rotors OK, so, Have a question, actually 2. I know the yaesu thing has a lot of torque, but why not using aluminium or fiber tubing to reduce load? And, once paracord lifespan is due (?) How to spot before it frays out?
Vertical load has little effect. It's the total mass - and normally that's up top.. Steel and Alloy for the mast here - longt story but I know best - and from experience!
🤘
The wild Callum and the wild Michael have entered into the danger zone with bird seed. The rotator has been a successfully installation but they will shortly be covered in bird poop.
Good analysis!
Whoever probably put the grey tape on to make it closer to the cable jacket color (black stands out somewhat)
@DXCommander and plans to run the coax through a conduit underground?
Nope.. It'll sit on the grass and bury itself like all the rest..
Super video .. how much can the rotator support weight ?
Vertical force is 200Kg.. Frankly with the guys etc, I think we have exceeded that. Need to get the Create repaired..
Are the yaesu control boxes able to be changed out and still use the g450 rotor , example… can i use a 450xl and change to a 450a just by changing wiring in back ?
I don't know but there are 2 x G450s.. The older AC version and the newer DC versions. WIring same but controller is different.
@ ok thanks , I believe both are AC just ones older than the other
i recently bought an FT101-e with the protective film still on the face and I refuse to take it off!
Haha good man!
🤣🤣🤣 Love it!
So... is yellow the new white or white is the new yellow? And which one is Number 3? 😀Great job, guys! 🙂
42!
@@DXCommanderHQ Touche!
My God you are both very funny your interactions - to be honest I'm not good at funny or comedy but I did enjoy this inc the Dog S H I T bird seed but even excluding this the fact that you love technical anything including very human and willing to make mistakes without excluding them. Like the bolt through the tip up mount on the other video my hat off to you it's just an error anyone can make. G7VYH - we spoke once on the radio.
Michael.. Lovely comment. Thank you very much for your kind words.
Was thinking the rotator is designed for lightweight antennas hence too small to rotate the mast. Are you sure it will last?
Nope
😀
Ahh Calum, aren't you supposed to plug the bird feeder into the rotator too? Cheers. AA7MO
Never thought about that!!
Looks like a Lot of Vertical Weight on the G-450.?
Yep. SPec if 200kg. I think we're on the limit whilst we get the Create fixed.
Damn! Had me dying in laughter!!!!!! Hahahaha!!
My only concern is, that all the weight of the mast plus antenna etc is on the rotator and it'll start complaining before long! normaly you would have a cage with a support bearing taking all the vertical weight off of the rotator? But other than that very entertaining LOL !
The spec is 200kg - with 12 guys pulling down, we're on the limit - maybe just over. The Create RC5-1 (in use before we broke it on this project) is 400kg. Plenty. Just need it fixed.
+ is -, black is red and 3 is 1. 73
42!
The connector on the rotator is plastic on the G-1000 also. Mine just got mangled, replacements are almost impossible to find. In fact, if anyone knows where i can buy one in the US, let me know. W1SPG
Oh goodness!
Theres nothing better than having a crack with a mate
Indeed!
Peeling-feeling...... 🤣🤣🤣
Lovely!
Mad so funny 73
It was a fun day - nightmare to edit because I took 90% of the jokes out!!
@@DXCommanderHQ Brilliant Callum. Keep up the great work. Mike is ace 😂😂😂
That’s a lot of of iron mongery up there !
That's the thumb because my own pic was rubbish.. Try taking a picture of an antenna in the sky.. It's a think line LOL!
Two feckin balloons ….there’s wiser eatin grass
Vulkanising Tape...from Planet Vulkan:-) lmao....
HAHA
No, the electrical tape provides UV protection as the rubber tape has none. K5TGS
Yes. Excellent. Thanks :)
Nutters 😂😂😂😂
You should have bought 50 meters of corrugated tubing and put all your stuff through there ! LOL 🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌
HAHAHAHA JOE!!!
i don,t think he got on to that mike lol with the plug
That wild bird seed is rubbish. I bought some at the start of the year, watered it everyday for months and I haven't been able to grow a single wild bird!
HAHA
Could you not of done a pressure test in the workshop? Rather then all that palaver
I have absolutely no idea what you are on about other than trying to be some clever-dick who should really be watching Disney Channel.
@@DXCommanderHQ rather rude reply I was on about the rotator
It's not rude when you open up with words like "palaver" which is derogitory. You don't explain yourself. Pressure or force? I still don't understand anyway.
Which one is Rik Mayall and which is Adrian Edmondson?...... May I wet your sponge, sir.........
HA!!
Cal' and Mike...Didn't "your plug 'looks American" start at that rotor connection in the antenna field? Asking for an'Merican Pal..??? THUMPY! Bwahahaha! th-cam.com/video/9Zo4TMIvGqY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=vENYHfNMiPLbmq4X&t=417