Hi Bill,
As the owner of a Yaesu FT736r (another one-direction CAT rig), I've found it's easiest to let the computer run the antenna rotor, but leave the knobs to my own nimble fingers. For FM, certainly let the computer run the rig. For SSB I make a lot of use of the tracking knob - which links the up and down links inversely to scan the band to find a QSO, then adjust the upper band's frequency for Doppler from there. Finding myself just takes a little practice, and a few dits.
As for the software, I use GPredict for pass prediction and "eye candy" during the pass. My rotor controller is home brewed, as is the CAT client, so that's not going to help you, but I believe the recent versions of GPredict / HamLib will drive many radios and commercial rotors.
Good luck,
Greg. KO6TH
On May 5, 2014 11:41:23 AM PDT, "Bill (W1PA)" w1pa@hotmail.com wrote:
I have one of the older FT-847's that does not have bidirectional CAT.
My understanding is that I can still use a PC to control/adjust doppler, but that I must tune the radio from the software only. Is that correct?
If so, what software would you suggest, Linux-preferred? I don't need any other control other than doppler correction on a linear bird pass. Does gpredict do this?
Bill W1PA
(btw, for those of you who I worked /P on SO-50 Friday mid-day, I was handheld at NEARfest hamfest (Deerfield, NH --FN43jc)
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