Subelement C: Satellite Systems— Topic :
Question 31C5
Element 9 (GMDSS Maintainer)The antenna creeps up and down after initialization. What action would you take?
Explanation
The antenna creeping up and down indicates an issue with its vertical positioning, which is controlled by the elevation (EL) system. The EL step motor is responsible for precise vertical movement and holding the antenna at a specific elevation angle. If the EL step motor is stiff, it suggests a mechanical problem – either internal friction within the motor or resistance in the gears it drives. This stiffness would prevent the motor from accurately maintaining its position, leading to the observed "creeping" or wandering after initialization.
Conversely:
A) The AZ (azimuth) step motor controls horizontal rotation, not vertical movement.
C) While a platform sensor provides feedback, the immediate cause of a stiff, creeping motion is more likely mechanical resistance in the motor itself, which should be checked first.
D) A gyro repeater motor is used in navigation systems to repeat compass headings and is not a component typically found in amateur radio antenna elevation rotators.
Related Questions
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