Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: CDE Ham M

Category: Antenna Rotators & Accessories

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : CDE Ham M
Reviews: 8MSRP: ??
Description:
Medium Duty Rotor
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0085
W9AC Rating: 2020-02-02
10 Years of Service Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I used the CDE AR-22R version for a decade between 1970-1980. The 22R was marketed as a high-end TV rotator. Zero issues turning a Mosely TA-33 in northern Illinois with negative F temps. The worst that would happen is the rotator would not turn until ice melted or sublimated.

In time, I found that I was always wanting to turn through zero degrees. As a teenager, I modified the control unit to allow the rotator to start and end on 180 degs. It took disassembly and rotating several parts but the direction pointer tracked perfectly with the changes.

As I recall, the original grease began breaking down after about four years. I repacked it in 1974 when we moved homes and it worked perfectly until I entered college full-time in 1980.
K4FX Rating: 2018-07-18
The Best Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought an old Ham M in 2001 and paid very little for it. I rebuilt it. I put it on my 75' tower turning an A4S tribander. I know, not a huge antenna. However, this summer I will be replacing it with a 2800 Yaesu and a Green Heron RT-21 (replacing A4S too) In April the rotor passed 17 years of service. Countless ice storms, 2 hurricanes, and never missed a beat. It is still working perfectly. I am going to rebuild it again and find something for it to do. It was old when I got it in 2001. They just don't build them like that anymore.
WB0SNF Rating: 2016-08-09
35 faithful years Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Hi. I got my ham m in 1980, It had had either a lightning hit or a voltage spike as the motor was burned out as was the large xfmr and a few other parts in the control box. I could see where windings were burned on motor so just shined up the burned ends, spliced it and that was that. A good cleaning and a little grease and the rotor was done.
I only had a xfmr about the size of the whole control box so mounted the xfmr behind control box on a 1/6 board. New capacitor and a few other minor parts and it has worked great on a full size 20 meter monobander ever since---till summer of 2016. Brake got sticky this summer and didn't want to release. Another good cleaning, a little grease, new control cable and another capacitor, works fine and it will probably outlast me. Best $4:00 I ever spent.

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by WB0SNF on 2015-12-31

Got mine in about 1978 and has been rotating a full size 20 meter mono bander ever since. No problems. Moved tower 2 years ago and cleaned and greased rotor. At this rate it will outlast me. What a great unit. Best 73
K2IZ Rating: 2014-12-07
outstanding Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my Ham M II in 1974 when they first came out, I finally took it down this past November, 2014, it was still working, I bought a refurbished Ham M II and installed it, in the 40 years I used the original rotor I got into the habit of releasing the brake, rotating the antenna and when it stopped I did a slow count to 5 before releasing the brake, apparently other owners don't do this, resulting in the wedge brake breaking off inside the rotor.
The original rotor held the antenna in place through 3 hurricanes and numerous Nor'easters and summer storms.
W2HP Rating: 2013-11-17
Bought new in 1964 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My Ham-m I bought new in 1964. When I moved in 1977 it came with me on top of my 55ft 25G. In 1990 I put up a Triex 55ft tower and took my Ham-m off the 25G and onto the Triex tower. Only work ever was new resistor and lubricants. Its still turning a Mosley PRO-57 WARC and a Diamond X-510 and works perfectly. It survived Super Storm Sandy! Very happy!
K0KS Rating: 2013-07-12
Golden Oldie Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I got over 40 years of service from a Ham-M but did have to replace bearings several times and the capacitors and the pot-strip was always noisy or not functioning. It always turned oversized arrays and stopped them with a jolt that shook the 25G tower. Parts and repair service are widely available.
W8KQE Rating: 2010-02-21
In use since 1977! Built like a tank! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had my CDE medium duty rotor and control box since I first got licensed in high school back in 1977! I am turning 49 this year. I've never opened it up or done any maintenance on it whatsoever, and it still works perfectly like it did when new. It's been used at 3 QTH's, and has never failed to turn my Mosley TA-32 and 33 'Junior' tribanders all these decades! Blows my mind!
W4VD Rating: 2005-02-01
great old rotor Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I found one of these oldies about 3 years ago on ebay for around 100-125 bucks, I forget the exact price, but after opening it up and giving it a cleaning and a greasing, it's been turning my A4S very effortlessly and regularly ever since. I don't have the specs on this rotor, but I think it's around the CD45 range, maybe a tad more. I plan on adding a 3 or 5 element 6 meter yagi in the future, and I am positive it will be up to the task.

Well built unit, with the price of rotors, should you see a deal on one, jump on it.