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{
    "url": "https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/api/list/[email protected]/email/J6VHG7W7267AMFV3KC7LYQVZFESPH4HY/",
    "mailinglist": "https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/api/list/[email protected]/",
    "message_id": "[email protected]",
    "message_id_hash": "J6VHG7W7267AMFV3KC7LYQVZFESPH4HY",
    "thread": "https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/api/list/[email protected]/thread/UV2Y5NQUNTLIJ2VYCVIPMOTE5FI4BVD5/",
    "sender": {
        "address": "8p6sm (a) anjo.com",
        "mailman_id": null,
        "emails": null
    },
    "sender_name": "Gus",
    "subject": "[amsat-bb] Re: inquiry about homebrew az-el systems",
    "date": "2013-02-28T04:04:16Z",
    "parent": "https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/api/list/[email protected]/email/II5PULO3ZNTPDZL7IZXOFJEPAOEDXOBT/",
    "children": [
        "https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/api/list/[email protected]/email/BAB4IGKCALSWDKTWG42XIFCL6JJUIIOP/"
    ],
    "votes": {
        "likes": 0,
        "dislikes": 0,
        "status": "neutral"
    },
    "content": "The control hardware (Arduino based or otherwise) will be the simplest \npart of any design. I recently bought all the components to make four \n'Uno' (which should be more than capable) for less than $10 each, and I \ndidn't shop around.  No, the hardest part will be the actuators (IOW, \nthe motors and motor control) and the sensors (IOW position detection \nand limit switches). These are also likely to be the most expensive \ncomponents.\n\nIn order to keep cost and complexity down, I am proposing that we DON'T \ntry to replicate the G5400/5500, etc.  We don't need to swing huge \narrays of long yagis any more, and won't need to until a HEO satellite \nappears in our sky.  So we can limit ourselves to smaller antenna \nsystems like the Arrow, the Cushcraft antennas I spoke of, and similar.  \nI have nothing against the K5OE antennas (they look pretty nice!) except \nthey were designed for P3D, and are probably more than needed to \nreliably use the current fleet of satellites.  In any case, we have to \ndecide what amount of maximum torque we want to handle, so we can go \nlooking for suitable candidate motors.  We want to keep these motors as \nsmall as possible to keep their cost (and that of their driver \ncircuitry) to a minimum.\n\nWe'll also need to work out whether we want direct drive or geared, \nbrushed, brushless, stepper, etc.  And speed of rotation and so forth.\n\nStepper motors can produce lots of torque and their speed is \ncontrollable.  They usually operate in steps of less than 2 degrees.  \nAnd since the control hardware can count steps, we probably wouldn't \nneed any position-sensing hardware at all, other than simple limit \nswitches.  But I'm not aware of any common source of surplus stepper \nmotors.  Ordinary motors on the other hand, are available in windshield \nwipers, window winders, starting motors, etc.  But position sensing \nthese will need additional hardware.\n\nPersonally, I'd like to see a system that runs entirely on 12 volts.  \nThis will make field day operation, emergency operation, car-park demos, \nrag-chewing while watching the windsurfing competition and bikini parade \nat the beach, etc, possible without the need for an inverter.  Base \nstation use should present no problems because 12v PSUs abound in all \nshapes and sizes and current limits, and most shacks already contain at \nleast one 12v PSU already.\n\n\n\nOn 02/27/2013 09:56 PM, Lizeth Norman wrote:\n> Gus and the gang,\n> What about K5OE's array here:\n> http://rfanat.ru/s8/P3D_yagi.htm\n>\n> Still think that using:\n> 8x4 aluminum tube stock\n> 1\" aluminum round stock\n> 1 arduino\n> 4 relays\n> a 24 v ps\n> some limit switches\n> fuses, of course\n> two of the appropriate value pots and maybe some gearing\n> and a few gears, bearings and motors for the drivetrain,\n> should give us a complete -5400 or -5500 clone.\n>\n> Norm n3ykf\n>\n> On Wed, Feb 27, 2013 at 8:30 PM, Gus <[email protected]> wrote:\n>> Returning to this topic...\n>>\n>> I'm thinking about a rotator that can handle a small system like the Arrow,\n>> or the Cushcraft A270-6s or even the A270-10s.  NOT big boomers like the KLM\n>> 22/40 el CP yagis!\n>>\n>> So we're looking at 1½ - 2 sq. ft of windloading, and maybe 10 lbs of\n>> weight.  (Including some sort of crossboom, clamps, coax and counterweights.\n>> Rear mounted antennas like the Arrow will need a rear-mounted\n>> counterweight.)\n>>\n>> Anybody qualified to say what that adds up to in terms of TORQUE required\n>> from the motors?  With a little extra thrown in for a safety margin, maybe?\n>>\n>> I think a simple, low-cost, easily reproducible design is probably doable,\n>> if we combine our ingenuity and expertise.\n>>\n>>\n>> -- 73, de Gus 8P6SM\n>> Barbados, the easternmost isle.\n>> _______________________________________________\n>> Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\n>> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!\n>> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb\n>\n\n-- \n73, de Gus 8P6SM\nBarbados, the easternmost isle.\n\n",
    "attachments": []
}