Antenna mechanic-more effective design of mechanical buffers for steerable antennas

Discusses three true stories of catastrophes caused by antenna runaway, gives some design advice on mechanical buffers, and provides a worked example to illustrate the design methods. Although it may seem unlikely that certain events could happen concurrently (stuck limit switch, high wind, etc.), the consequences should be carefully weighed against the cost of designing buffers to prevent equipment damage. Conservation of energy is a very good method of identifying loads. It is also important that the energy balance equation be written with all events (wind torque, motor torque, peak velocity) happening simultaneously.<>