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| Reviews Summary for M2 Orion 2800P |
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write your own review of the M2 Orion 2800P.
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KB9WL
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 28, 2008 11:20
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solid and beefy
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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married my Orion with a Green Heron controller, been up two days, solid operation, nice and smooth starts and stops using a gentle ramp - the Orion seems very well build, quality parts, and you can't beat M2 for knowledgeable and friendly service -- I really like the new connecton box -- am looking forward of years of trouble free "turnin and burnin" with my array -- KB9WL
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K3CB
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 7, 2008 07:02
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Own 2 2800's at Home
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I actually own 4 of these rotors. 2 are of the early AC variety we use at K8GP for our microwave antenna positioners; and, two are the newer DC variety installed on my towers at home. Performance, reliability, quality, and support are all superb in my opinion. We have had winds gusting to over 60 mph here on MD's eastern shore and both my arrays, which present alot of wind load, have not budged in their respective rotors and everything has remained aligned.
I do have a question for anyone in the know. With the AC version it was possible using P7 to program a south stop without having to re-orient the mast pipe/antennas mechanically. It appears there is no similar way to do this with the rc2800px controllers I have, i.e. using P3 only effects the controller, it appears you must also mecahncially re-position the mast pipe/antennas in order to achieve a true south stop from the default North stop or "0". Is there a way to set a South stop without having to mechancially re-positioning the mast pipe/anetnnas? Any help would be appreciated. Owen, K3CB
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WB6RSE
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 26, 2007 21:58
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VERY STRONG ROTATOR
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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After 25+ years of brand H rotator swap outs, broken ring gears and rebuilds, I decided to try the strength of the OR2800. It has been flawless and without the loud "click" of a brake. I do not expect to have to swap it out any time soon, if ever. It seemed as if it would turn just about anything during bench check.
I chose the Green Heron Engineering RT-20 controller for the ultimate in ease of operation.
It's been an excellent, easy to use and reliable combination.
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K6KAR
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 7, 2005 16:42
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Follow up on previous review
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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It just wasn't my lack of understanding on programming the M2 Orion 2800P. The origingal controller had problems. First I was sent a new EEPROM which did not correct the problems. I then spoke with Wyatt who concluded that the controller was defective. He had a new controller sent UPS. The new controller is working great. I called and talked with Mike who gave me the RMA number so I could return the old controller. He talked me through the program sequence and also emailed me the new PDF operations guide. All in all, I am more than satisified with not only the product but also the professional and caring position that Mike and Wyatt took in resolving the issues. I highly recommend M2.
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W5LL
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Rating: 5/5
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May 11, 2005 14:45
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Great Rotator
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This rotator is AMAZING! It would probably turn my house if I could somehow attach it to the rotator. I currently have a 5el 20m monobander with a 48' boom and a 9el 6m monobander with a 36' boom and this rotator loafs when turning the array, even in high wind!. Progamming is simple. Installation is easy, although you will have to have a custom rotor plate or drill your own as the holes don't line up on the standard rotor plate from Rohn. Also, if you're tower is 200' + away from the shack as is mine you'll need some heavy duty rotor cable. I bought the stuff from The Wire Man that was supposedly made just for this purpose and still had problems. It wasn't until I spliced in some RG-58 for the two control leads did the rotor start working correctly. Obviously, no fault of the rotator but the signal loss over the long cable run was just to great. I would not hesitate to purchase another one. It's a great rotator, made in the USA unlike certain other competitors who make you wait 3 months for one of their rotators while it comes across the ocean on a boat!
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WA6OXK
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 17, 2004 17:16
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Built Super-Tough, sophisticated, will turn a tank
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Now have 15 months using the M^2 OR2800P, which replaced a HyGain HDR300A turning a KLM 40M3A, KT34XA, 2M-13LBA, and WARC rotating dipole. Lots of wind load (>22 ft^2).
After Wyatt at M^2 walked me through a few initial installation problems and FedEx'ed some replacement parts (including the new watertight cable connection box for free), it has not turned a hair. Customer service is superb, delivered by Hams who like what they are doing and are proud of the products they make. Wyatt also was very helpful before purchase advsing me if the 2800P would fit in a HG-52HD Hy-Gain tower (required the optional smaller 6"x6" round mounting plate).
The Orion truly loafs along while spinning a bunch of big yagis, even in high winds (by Northern California standards). The three mode controller has worked flawlessly and is very convenient.
Would not hesitate a msec to purchase another Orion. Dealing with M^2 is an old fashioned pleasure.
Craig
WA6OXK
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WB4ZNH
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 15, 2004 20:31
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Works great
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have owned a lot of different rotors, but I feel this is the best I have ever owned. It is STRONG and goes exactly where I and my computer tells it to go. I have a 6 element 6m beam, a 2 element 40m and a 16 element tribander all stacked up and the rotor turns like it was turning a TV antenna. It divides 1 degree into 11 pulses, so it is 100 percent repeatable and accurate. I have actually owned it longer than 3 months, but it has been up doing its job for less than 3 months. 73, Carl
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9K2KS
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 19, 2003 01:09
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IT'S A POSITIONER !!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I've used Hy-Gain and Yaesu rotators but, Mē OR-2800PDC is not a rotator it is a POSITIONER !!!
If the controller didn't detecte pulses from the 18 wheeler on the tower It will not move.
In another word it will not direct the aerial blindly.
*Excellent quality of hardware.Extremely heavy duty mast bracket .
*Designed to fit Rohn 55 rotator shelf "other types also".
*Built in computer control.
*Excellent customer service from Mē,one phone call and the problem solved." Thanks Wyatt "
The problem was that it will not rotate 360°.
Fully tight the drive plate " top plate " on the drive shaft.Bolt down to the end of the driveshaft.
and they recommend removing the male connector from the cable pigtail and solder the control cable directly.
73's
9K2KS
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KC4PX
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 25, 2002 09:50
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Built like a Tank
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just received my Orion 2800 as a replacement for my HyGain HDR300A. Upon inspection, this rotator is amazing. It is really built like a tank compaired to my other rotators, T2X and HDR300A. I do suggest that you get familiar with this unit in the shack. As per the instructions, one should take some time in hooking the rotator and fooling around with all the programming modes and operation. One note, when you are in the programming mode (Mode 3) and you loose power, you must re-calibrate the control box. What happens is that the CCW limit gets reset and the rotator can only move 5-10 degrees in either direction. Re-programming the CCW limit brings the rotator control box back to normal. I experimented with all possible failure modes and this one needed to be identified.
The rotator control box looks much nicer in person that the current pictures on the WEB site. I was concerned it looked like a "Home Made" controller. The rotator itself (42 pounds) is unreal.. its massive. I'll bet it could rotate my House.... I also ordered the ROUND rotator top plate (Highly Recommended) so I could lower my LM354 Crank up Tower completely.
I do recommend this roator for anyone having a large array or to Hams that like "overkill" designs.
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WV4R
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 11, 2002 15:23
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A Big Dog Rotor fer Sure!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The RC2800P-A is the High Water mark for rotors in my 43 years of ham radio.
I bought my MilSpec unit at HamComm 1998 for a number of reasons: It is Heavy/HeavyDuty, Everywhere. They had one sliced in half on display and it is MilSpec and built like a Harley Davidson. All other rotors look like 'toys' in comparison. It will rotate my Dodge Avenger! It looks like a lean mean spinning machine. It is Overkill... but it is a hobby. In a world of compromise, some don't. Go for it and savor the moments of Knowing you gotz the TopGun of rotors for the money.
73 es God bless, murf.
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