The Yaesu G-5500DC doesn’t have a single simple “load capacity” like a crane or mount — Yaesu specifies it using several related limits. The key figures are:
✅ Primary load capacity
- Maximum vertical load (mast load):
200 kg (≈440 lb)
This is the main “headline” load rating.
⚠️ But this is NOT the whole story
For rotators, the real limit depends heavily on antenna geometry and wind loading:
- Wind surface area limit:
1.0 m² - Torque limits:
- Elevation: 12 kg·m (≈88 ft-lb)
- Azimuth: 6 kg·m (≈44 ft-lb)
- Braking torque (holding strength):
40 kg·m (≈289 ft-lb) on both axes - K-factor (Yaesu sizing metric):
~578 ft-lb for the G-5500 class
🧠 Practical interpretation (important)
The 200 kg figure is only the vertical static load on the mast. In real use:
- A long-boom Yagi can exceed limits even if it weighs far less than 200 kg
- A compact dish or small crossed Yagis may be fine near the limit
- Wind loading is usually the dominant constraint, not weight
Yaesu explicitly notes that antenna size, balance, and wind exposure determine the true safe load, not just mass
👍 Typical safe use cases
- 2 m / 70 cm crossed Yagis (moderate boom length)
- Small satellite arrays
- Light dishes close to the mast
⚠️ Marginal / risky
- Long-boom HF Yagis
- Large log-periodics
- Anything with large wind area (>1 m²)
Bottom line
- Absolute vertical load: ~200 kg
- Real-world usable load: governed mainly by wind area + turning moment, not weight alone