THE ARMSTRONG ROTOR:

What did you expect? (hi)

Rotating the Spiderbeam by Hand:

[ ARMSTRONG ]

The Spiderbeam, in combination with a Spiderbeam Aluminum Mast and matching Aluminum Tripod is a very lightweight antenna system and easily turned by hand "if" you do the following THREE things:

  1. Set the base of the mast on a base plate such as the Spiderbeam Baseplate.
  2. Use the Spiderbeam Guy Plate Set which enables rotating the entire mast.
  3. Tie a thin rope near the end of one of the spreaders and droop it to the ground.
  • The rope should be about 5m (17 ft.) longer than the height of the antenna.
  • I used thin, 3/32" Dacron for this purpose.
  • Some people prefer tying the rope to the director side of the beam, I prefer tying it to the reflector side of the beam.  It makes no difference.  (Remember, the Balun is mounted on the director side of the Mast).

 

 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE:

  • Grasp the rope in your hand and walk around the antenna.  
  • You will find you can pull (rotate) the antenna very easily.
  • When the antenna is pointing in the direction you want, tie the rope to a tree, fence post, or whatever is available.
  • If nothing is available, put a stake in the ground at that point and tie it to the stake.

 

 

LUBRICATING THE ARMSTRONG ROTOR:

 

Here in Germany, we usually lubricate the rotor with FREE BEER.

This makes it easy to find volunteers to be the Armstrong Rotor at Field Day.

[Note: you will need more than one.]

I have heard the French use Red Wine and the Italians use White Wine, but I have not tried these lubricants on the Armstrong Rotor yet.  Do your own due dilligence.

 

 

MAINTENANCE:

 

We found it is best to replace the Rotor after 3 or 4 beers.

Your mileage may vary.

 

 

REFURBISHING THE ARMSTRONG ROTOR:

 

A solid meal and a good night's sleep will enable you to re-use the old Armstrong Rotor the next day.

 

 

CAUTION!  DO NOT GET CAUGHT 'DOPING' YOUR ARMSTRONG ROTOR!