Ron,
RE the rotator, check out K3NG's project for an arduino based project. I have built many of these.
If you can find a G5400 or 5500, building the control hardware is not a big reach. Lots of help on our (K3NG) mailing list.
Nice features include remote relay keying (think preamps and other relay things), Adding a gps for sun/moon tracking. This rocks. Makes setup a breeze. Once the gps gets a lock, engage sun or moon track, move tripod so that the antennas are pointed at the celestial body, operate kill switch to return to normal ops. This list of features is not exhaustive.
Downside is that the code only runs on a mega 2560.
Pic of the total homebrew here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/n3ykf/37074076991/in/dateposted/
I've got it torn down to change the el to 180, the motors to 12VDC and swap in 2:1 gearboxes. Will work much more smoothly.
The G5400 based device here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/n3ykf/27426986382/in/dateposted/
Portable radios are IC-7000, Yaesu 875d in a Pelican 1440 and an Ettus B210. Longer term goal is to use the B210 all by itself. One step at a time.
Norm n3ykf On Wed, Oct 24, 2018 at 1:14 PM ronald mosher rfmosher@cox.net wrote:
I am new to satellite communication and this is my first post. My setup so far includes an Arrow antenna on a camera tripod, an SDR (RSP) and SatPC32 software on a Surface Pro. I would like to buy a portable, HF/VHF/UHF, Full-Duplex transceiver that I can use for both portable HF QRP and for satellite work. So far, I have not been able to find such a radio. Any recommendations would be much appreciated.
Also, I would like to buy or build an AZ-EL rotator that is suitable for a portable setup. I am leaning toward building as a less expensive alternative. I have been studying the WRAPS version by WA8SME and the Mini Mk-2 by VK3FOWL and VK3YSP. Both look to be of about equal construction complexity. Any thoughts on either if these rotators, or any other inexpensive rotator would also be very much appreciated.
It is exciting to be learning a new phase of ham radio and to be a part of this group. Thank you for any suggestions.
73,
Ron K0PGE
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