In this series on Club Program ideas, I’m providing possible programs for clubs to use in their meetings. You can find a full explanation of the approach in Club Programs – The Series.

The basis of the program idea is something many hams have but few have seen – the rotor.

The rotor is integral to pointing our beams the right way. Rotors are strong – but sealed. This club program idea is to open a rotor and take a look inside.

The suggested program:

1. Rotor basics – wind load, torque, the important specifications
2. Open the rotor
3. Ball bearings – and their care
4. The brake – what it looks like and how it works
5. Big rotors – why buy them

This program ran during my tenure on the board of the Four Lakes Amateur Radio club. It was a new program, but it turned out to be one of the most popular programs during the year. Rotors, for most hams, are mystery black boxes in a tower. This program demystifies the rotor.

Extra credit rotor ideas: rotors for satellites, moon bounce, and VHF.

Have you ever had this program for your club meetings? Let us know how it went in the comments.

Scot, K9JY

Photo Credit: Norms Rotor Service