Medium Duty Double Worm Drive Azimuth Rotator with 1 Degree Resolution.
RAU has a highly reliable double worm gear drive system (less complexity = more reliability), 720-degree rotation, 1 degree accuracy, straight-forward 4-wire control cabling, and can be used in many applications without a thrust bearing thanks to its robust construction.
The self-braking nature of the double worm drive means there is no noisy mechanical brake to break and the weather sealed reed relay means no potentiometer to fail! Operates on 12 to 18 VDC; take RAU into the field, on a DXpedition, run it from your car battery while rovering or, of course, permanently install it at your base station.
RAU – as is true for all AlfaSpid rotaotrs – works great with Force 12’s antennas, low Profile LPT Towers (which have a custom AlfaSpid mount option) and will turn a wide variety of Force 12, InnovAntennas and other antennas. Unique to AlfaSpids, coax cable can pass through AlfaSpid azimuth rotators and masts eliminating rotator loops. The RAU can be used in conjunction with the AlfaSpid REAL elevation rotator for a complete azimuth / elevation positioning system for EME (moonbounce) and satellite use.
One feature of a high ratio double worm drive is that the output shaft cannot be turned by applying force to it. You can only turn it by turning the input shaft. So when you remove power from the rotor, the “brake” is applied automatically. When you apply power, the “brake” is removed the same way. Nothing to stick or bind – or to make noise, either. Unlike other popular rotators using brake wedges that only operate in 6 degree chunks, the AlfaSpid worm brake holds the antenna to with a fraction of a degree.
- Rotating Torque 1,800 in-lb / 203 N-m at 18 VDC
- Brake Torque 360 degree rotation in 76 to 100 seconds depending on voltage and with rated load
- Vertical Load 264 lbs / 120 kg
- Rotation Range 720 degrees
- Rotation Speed 360 degree rotation in 76 to 100 seconds depending on voltage and with rated load
- Power operates with 12 to 18 VDC up to 2.5 A (via user supplied power supply)
- Net Weight 13.0 lbs / 6.5 kg
- Position Sensor magnetic reed relay circuit – one pulse per degree
- Dimensions overall height 13.9 inches / 355 mm; center to widest point 4.9 inches / 125 mm
- Mast Diameter 2.0 in / 50 mm top and bottom
- Resolution 1 degree
Instructions Manual for RAK Ser.Rotator (PDF File)
eHAM.net Review
Price: 525 EU (in WIMO Store)