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Reviews For: Green Heron RT-21

Category: Antenna Rotators & Accessories

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Review Summary For : Green Heron RT-21
Reviews: 43MSRP: 569
Description:
Antenna rotor controller
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.greenheronengineering.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00434.9
W1SWL Rating: 2022-07-15
Perfection 360 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Ordered the RT-21 and Yaesu G800 combo from Jeff at Green Heron. Shipping was very prompt, it arrived in 2 days. Well Packed. Jeff included the Yaesu connector and a 6 wire junction connector. He also suggested a part and source for the controller wire cable. Set up a short test wire for the Yaesu so I could see the RT21 and G800 work in the shack. Connected to Ham Radio Deluxe perfectly. First time. Just finished running the long control cable to the Hex Beam. Again all was perfection and as close to plug and play as you can get. The controller is very well built and fit and finish are fantastic. Jeff set all the "settings" on the RT21 for the Yaesu G800 at his shop. I essentially had to do no calibration at all. A fine product supplied by a fine, customer oriented outfit. I would buy and recommend this product and firm. Thanks.
KB4W Rating: 2022-07-15
Simply Perfect Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
All I can do at this point really, is echo everyone else’s positive comments. This rotor controller reminds me of Palstar, LDG, and a few others: ‘station accessories’ with a level of fit, finish and attention to detail that go beyond one’s expectations.

It’s an open secret that the Hy-Gain T2X (mine massaged by Rotor Norm) is all brawn and no brains. Jeff preconfigured my RT-21 for the Tail Twister before he shipped it, and it has not only tamed this big dumb guy, but makes him appear on my end to be operating with a bit of finesse.

This has been an unexpectedly satisfying addition to my operating position. Whether you need a new controller or just want to satisfy your OCD, this purchase is a no-brainer.
K4TK Rating: 2021-11-15
much nicer than my DCU3 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Some of my friends kept telling me I should get a Green Heron for my next controller. I resisted at first, but then.....I ordered a Yaesu G2800 to turn my new Mosley Pro 67 C3. I had an extra DCU3, but it wasn't going to work with the Yaesu rotator.

So I thought, why not give the Green Heron a try. Man, I'm pleased! It's much better quality than my DCU3 (that turns antennas on my old tower with a Ham IV). The read out is more accurate....it can be programmed to do AC or DC....it's got many more features than the DCU3. I especially like how you can program it to ramp up and down in speed when turning big antennas!

It works well with my logging software (DX4WIN) and has a Program that you can download for easy setup and operation. Strangely, Green Heron had ZERO controllers in stock....and said it could be a long wait (something about ships backed up in port and no transformers available to build the power supply for the controller?). So, instead of ordering a package deal directly from Green Heron (like I wanted to), I ordered the rotator from HRO and the Green Heron from DX Engineering. It was setup for a Hygain, but it just took minutes to change it to the Yaesu G2800 rotator configuration.

I can't say enough about this controller. Makes me wish i had a second one (instead of my DCU3) to control my old Ham IV on the old tower.............
WO2X Rating: 2021-10-25
Great product, great support! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After working helping another station with their installation I was able to see the RT21 in action. I ordered one to replace my Yaesu G1000DXA controller with Idiom Press interface.

Jeff shipped the RT21 promptly and included a better disconnect harness than the Molex one Yaesu uses. Install was a breeze and checked configuration and calibration with the RT21 utility.

I interfaced the RT21 via its USB cable to a Raspberry Pi running Node Red. Jeff helped with questions I had with the GHE API and the controller is running great! You can check out my QRZ page for a picture of what the rotor looks like in Node Red. This allows controlling the rotor and other equipment from any web browser, including smartphones. A must for remote operating.

Jeff was a pleasure to talk to on the phone and answered my questions.

Highly recommend the RT21 if you want to upgrade your controller.
VE7SNC Rating: 2021-10-25
Amazing piece of equipment Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Received my controller from Jeff at Green Heron Engineering just over a week ago. It came completely setup for the M2 orion 2800 rotator. After I figured out that the 2800 had a dead short to ground with some coaching from Jeff I finally got to use the controller. I've pretty much used the alfaspid to this which is a very simple and easy to use and zero. The RT-21 is a dream to use. starts off very slow and increases the speed, and then at the end slows down to a snails pace. Perfect All I wanted was something that works and simplicity. The RT-21 Is anything but simple, absolutely amazing. Anyone wanna buy a M2 controller? Only used for 2 weeks! VE7SNC
N3EON Rating: 2021-06-06
Update Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have used the RT-21 for over 2 years. I originally had it in combination with a Ham IV rotor, but I recently upgraded to a Yaesu G-2800 rotor. For some reason, I've experienced minor digital jumping with the RT-21, but it was more pronounced with the Ham IV rotor. I suspect the issue is not with the RT-21, but an anomaly with my antenna system. At most the digital readout is one degree off the target heading, which is not the least bit significant. Based on its construction, the RT-21 should last a long time and Jeff is always responsive to my inquiries.
K4ROZ Rating: 2021-01-17
Fantastic Rotor Control Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just received a new RT-21 Digital from Jeff at Greenn Heron. It was pre set up for my Ham-IV; took only 5 minutes to set up; and worked perfectly from the start. Looks great in the shack next to all the other black boxes; the digital display is clear snd bright; and I can’t imagine a controller that is better. Service is AAA+.
W1EBM Rating: 2021-01-02
"Plug and Play" installation Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Purchased a "just Refurb'd '" RT-21 from Jeff, via a referral from Matt, KC1XX. Replaced an M2 Orion 2800 that was damaged.

Support from Jeff was excellent. Installation was easy.

The RT-21 looks real good in the station.



WA4PT Rating: 2020-06-03
Love it! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I’ve owned the RT-21 since 2015. It’s connected to a HamIV rotor and had a “direction heading” jumping issue. I contacted Jeff and he suggested a 33ufd electrolytic from terminal 4 to gnd. DONE! It’s solid. Even though Jeff knew I bought it at DX Engineering and not direct, plus it was 5 years old, he worked with me with a great attitude!
K8AC Rating: 2020-02-14
Beware if using with Hy-Gain Ham IV or T2X Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a very versatile and well constructed unit, BUT....
DXE is currently shipping this controller with 2 amp fast blow fuses (one spare is included). In the first test on my workbench, with a 2 foot cable between Ham VI rotator and the RT-21, the fuse blew when trying to rotate in the CCW direction. A call to Green Heron revealed that the fuses ought to have been slow-blow (but they weren't). They thought that the problem may have been due to the short cable. So, in went the spare fuse and connected the RT-21 through 200 feet of cable to a T2X. Again, the fuse blew. Green Heron says that you can use a 3 or 4 amp fuse, but the fuse is a 5x20mm fuse not sold in local stores. So, if you are going to use this controller with a Hy-Gain rotator, you might want to order a collection of slow-blow fuses from Amazon. Or, if you really intend to keep the controller, why not just change out the fuse holder to accommodate a readily available fuse format.