- #ANTENNA ROTATOR NUMBER OF BALL BLEARINGS HOW TO#
- #ANTENNA ROTATOR NUMBER OF BALL BLEARINGS MANUAL#
- #ANTENNA ROTATOR NUMBER OF BALL BLEARINGS TV#
The way TV antenna rotators operate is simple. This rotator also has a reputation for having a motor and drive unit that can take a beating. I’d consider the Channel Master if I lived in an area with a higher number of TV stations (and thus more towers whose positions you want to store in memory). The RCA motor is also heavier, but both the RCA and Channel Master are comparable in terms of setup and installation. Overall, the RCA is the cheaper option compared with the Channel Master and offers good value for money for customers living in areas with a lower density of TV stations (like, in areas of fringe reception).
You can also check if it’s locally available. NOTE: If you’re looking for higher performance, I’d suggest a more robust class of antenna rotators such as the Hy-Gain AR-40. Keep in mind that both these rotors are relatively lightweight products designed for turning your typical TV antenna and short mast - although some people use them for rotating larger items, such as Ham antennas or solar panels (!)
What is the Best Antenna Rotator?Īlthough both products have similarities, each offers certain advantages that may appeal to your situation. In case you need more technical specs, here’s a link to the Channel Master CM-9521HD instruction sheet. Overall, what I like most about the Channel Master is its relatively quiet rotation in comparison with other brands. As with the RCA rotator above, I recommend RCA VH127N rotator cable. Unlike the RCA, this rotator’s control unit can store up to 69 preset antenna locations. It should be able to accommodate the heaviest Channel Master antennas, although you can mount antennas from other manufacturers. When installing the drive unit, make sure to face it due north to allow it to synchronize correctly with surrounding towers (see the installation section below). You can mount this rotor on a support pole of up to 2 inches diameter, and the antenna mast you mount atop it can have a diameter of up to 1.375 inches. This is actually the successor of the earlier CM-9521A, which you can still find on sale today.Īs with the RCA, this rotor comes with mounting clamps and U-bolts for convenient installation. The Channel Master rotator is both durable and is lighter than the RCA unit.
#ANTENNA ROTATOR NUMBER OF BALL BLEARINGS MANUAL#
In case you want to see technical details about the rotator, please find a link to the manual here. This is of course for good reason, as the length will depend on the dimensions needed in your particular situation.įor rotator cable, I recommend RCA VH127N wire, which is 75-feet long and easy to work with. Keep in mind this doesn’t correspond to the number of channels you’ll get, as each direction can correspond to several (virtual) TV channels.Īs with the Channel Master rotator (below), this RCA unit doesn’t come with a rotator cable so you’ll need to purchase it separately. This means you can rotate the antenna in up to 12 different directions. Note that the RCA rotator’s control unit can hold up to 12 antenna positions in memory. I find the RCA drive unit to be well-sealed against the elements, which will increase its operational reliability. One issue with rotators is that the drive units of some brands aren’t sufficiently waterproofed and this can have a long-term effect on motor reliability. Make sure that your mast will give you at least 3 feet of separation between the drive unit and the antenna you’re rotating. You can insert an antenna mast of up to 1.25 inches’ diameter into the drive unit. The exterior of the drive unit is enclosed in aluminum casing and the shipment box contains mounting clamps and U-bolts for attaching the rotator motor to a support pole that can have a diameter of up to 2 inches. Summary Antenna Rotator Reviews Side-by-Side Comparisonįirst let’s look at the RCA VH226F.
#ANTENNA ROTATOR NUMBER OF BALL BLEARINGS HOW TO#
If you’re curious about how rotators work, how to install them, etc., then I encourage you to skip down to the sections at the end of the article. Today I’ll look at two of the most popular brands of outdoor antenna rotator: the CM-9521HD by Channel Master and the RCA VH226F. Or you can place a rotator on your roof and put your TV antenna on top of it.Combining two HDTV antennas has its own requirements but is definitely a viable option. You can set up a second directional antenna and combine signals from both.Here are two that don’t require you to clamber up on your roof on a rainy night to manually turn the antenna: Then it might be time for some creative solutions. But what if you want to get channels in different directions, like from behind your antenna? *As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases when you buy through links on our site.Ī directional TV antenna installed outdoors can pick up stations from miles away - the only thing is, you have to aim well to get signals.