Abstract: A rotary actuator has a generally cylindrical housing for receiving one end of a control cable having an opposite end coupled to an actuator member of a device to control. Extending within the cylindrical housing is a rotating control handle having a spool which extends into the housing and engages one end of the cable, allowing the cable to wrap around the spool. Engaging an end of the spool within the cylindrical housing in one embodiment is a reversible ratchet disk which is biased against the housing by a compression spring engaging the disk on one side and engaging a locking end cap attached to the housing at the opposite side. The disk can be reversed to provide discrete ratchet stops at incremental positions of the control handle when in a first position or, if reversed, provides continuous reversible movement of the handle.