I've been using the sats with my Arrow and HT and am considering the jump to a more robust station. I'm pretty well set with my TS-2000 and I can figure out antennas, but the interwebs are a major tangle of articles about tracking systems, and I'm having problems sorting out the info overload.
I'm in south Texas and planning a permanent installation, so weather hardiness is necessary. This seems to me to rule out SatNOGs and Portable Rotation systems. The main alternative I'm seeing is the Yaesu G-5500 (Alfa Spid is more than I'm wanting to spend). Where things get really murky is the computer interface. The GS232A is a bit on the expensive side. There are many alternatives, but many are no longer in production or are technically outdated.
What I'm looking for from the group is recommendations for Az-El rotor systems and computer interfaces (I'm using SATPC32 and HRD for the tracking software).
Thanks & 73, Keith WD9GET
If you're comfortable with flashing an arduino and soldering a shield, there is an open design for a G-5500 controller at the url below. It works with the K3NG rotator controller arduino code (links are in that page). A LOT cheaper than the GS232A!
https://gitlab.com/librespacefoundation/satnogs/g5500-ardushield/tree/master
Cheers, -Corey KB9JHU
On Wed, Aug 1, 2018 at 1:47 PM, Keith E. Brandt, WD9GET wd9get@amsat.org wrote:
I've been using the sats with my Arrow and HT and am considering the jump to a more robust station. I'm pretty well set with my TS-2000 and I can figure out antennas, but the interwebs are a major tangle of articles about tracking systems, and I'm having problems sorting out the info overload.
I'm in south Texas and planning a permanent installation, so weather hardiness is necessary. This seems to me to rule out SatNOGs and Portable Rotation systems. The main alternative I'm seeing is the Yaesu G-5500 (Alfa Spid is more than I'm wanting to spend). Where things get really murky is the computer interface. The GS232A is a bit on the expensive side. There are many alternatives, but many are no longer in production or are technically outdated.
What I'm looking for from the group is recommendations for Az-El rotor systems and computer interfaces (I'm using SATPC32 and HRD for the tracking software).
Thanks & 73, Keith WD9GET
--
* Keith E. Brandt, WD9GET wd9get@amsat.org <wd9get@amsat.org>* 'Christianity and science are opposed…but only in the same sense as my thumb and forefinger are opposed - and between them I can grasp everything.' —Sir William Bragg (Nobel Prize for Physics- 1915) *This message transmitted with 100% recycled electrons *xb* _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
You can also get one of the FoxDelta controllers:
http://foxdelta.com/products/st2-0417.htm
$65 for a small kit that is a pleasant build, $10 more pre-assembled.
-- Devin L. Ganger (WA7DLG) email: devin@thecabal.org web: Devin on Earth cell: +1 425.239.2575
-----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org On Behalf Of Corey Shields Sent: Wednesday, August 1, 2018 10:56 AM To: Keith E. Brandt, WD9GET wd9get@amsat.org Cc: AMSAT amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Thoughts on AZ/EL rotors
If you're comfortable with flashing an arduino and soldering a shield, there is an open design for a G-5500 controller at the url below. It works with the K3NG rotator controller arduino code (links are in that page). A LOT cheaper than the GS232A!
https://gitlab.com/librespacefoundation/satnogs/g5500- ardushield/tree/master
Cheers, -Corey KB9JHU
On Wed, Aug 1, 2018 at 1:47 PM, Keith E. Brandt, WD9GET wd9get@amsat.org wrote:
I've been using the sats with my Arrow and HT and am considering the jump to a more robust station. I'm pretty well set with my TS-2000 and I can figure out antennas, but the interwebs are a major tangle of articles about tracking systems, and I'm having problems sorting out the
info overload.
I'm in south Texas and planning a permanent installation, so weather hardiness is necessary. This seems to me to rule out SatNOGs and Portable Rotation systems. The main alternative I'm seeing is the Yaesu G-5500 (Alfa Spid is more than I'm wanting to spend). Where things get really murky is the computer interface. The GS232A is a bit on the expensive side. There are many alternatives, but many are no longer in production or are technically outdated.
What I'm looking for from the group is recommendations for Az-El rotor systems and computer interfaces (I'm using SATPC32 and HRD for the tracking software).
Thanks & 73, Keith WD9GET
--
* Keith E. Brandt, WD9GET wd9get@amsat.org <wd9get@amsat.org>* 'Christianity and science are opposed…but only in the same sense as my thumb and forefinger are opposed - and between them I can grasp everything.' —Sir William Bragg (Nobel Prize for Physics- 1915) *This message transmitted with 100% recycled electrons *xb* _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forumavailable
to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the
official views of AMSAT-NA.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!
Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
-- Corey Shields _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Keith
I’ve built several of the arduinos and loaded the K3NG code (excellent stuff) to drive 2nd hand Yaesu 5400s which all works great w/SATPC32
Mail me direct if I can help.
Thanks, Mike W4UOO
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 1, 2018, at 1:56 PM, Corey Shields cshields@gmail.com wrote:
If you're comfortable with flashing an arduino and soldering a shield, there is an open design for a G-5500 controller at the url below. It works with the K3NG rotator controller arduino code (links are in that page). A LOT cheaper than the GS232A!
https://gitlab.com/librespacefoundation/satnogs/g5500-ardushield/tree/master
Cheers, -Corey KB9JHU
On Wed, Aug 1, 2018 at 1:47 PM, Keith E. Brandt, WD9GET wd9get@amsat.org wrote:
I've been using the sats with my Arrow and HT and am considering the jump to a more robust station. I'm pretty well set with my TS-2000 and I can figure out antennas, but the interwebs are a major tangle of articles about tracking systems, and I'm having problems sorting out the info overload.
I'm in south Texas and planning a permanent installation, so weather hardiness is necessary. This seems to me to rule out SatNOGs and Portable Rotation systems. The main alternative I'm seeing is the Yaesu G-5500 (Alfa Spid is more than I'm wanting to spend). Where things get really murky is the computer interface. The GS232A is a bit on the expensive side. There are many alternatives, but many are no longer in production or are technically outdated.
What I'm looking for from the group is recommendations for Az-El rotor systems and computer interfaces (I'm using SATPC32 and HRD for the tracking software).
Thanks & 73, Keith WD9GET
--
* Keith E. Brandt, WD9GET wd9get@amsat.org <wd9get@amsat.org>* 'Christianity and science are opposed…but only in the same sense as my thumb and forefinger are opposed - and between them I can grasp everything.' —Sir William Bragg (Nobel Prize for Physics- 1915) *This message transmitted with 100% recycled electrons *xb* _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb-- Corey Shields _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
I’ve got an old cheap Meade auto star telescope system. I’m planning on attaching my Arrow to it with some 3d printed brackets (no dovetail). I can control it via computer, and I’ve verified it can track fast enough. It doesn’t look like it’ll handle anything heavier than the standard Arrow though—I’d have to beef up the motor gearboxes.
Has anyone tried adapting an AZ/EL telescope drive system?
Dan
Sent from my iPad. Fewer misspellings, more errors.
On Aug 1, 2018, at 7:40 PM, Mike Sprenger mikesprenger@gmail.com wrote:
Keith
I’ve built several of the arduinos and loaded the K3NG code (excellent stuff) to drive 2nd hand Yaesu 5400s which all works great w/SATPC32
Mail me direct if I can help.
Thanks, Mike W4UOO
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 1, 2018, at 1:56 PM, Corey Shields cshields@gmail.com wrote:
If you're comfortable with flashing an arduino and soldering a shield, there is an open design for a G-5500 controller at the url below. It works with the K3NG rotator controller arduino code (links are in that page). A LOT cheaper than the GS232A!
https://gitlab.com/librespacefoundation/satnogs/g5500-ardushield/tree/master
Cheers, -Corey KB9JHU
On Wed, Aug 1, 2018 at 1:47 PM, Keith E. Brandt, WD9GET wd9get@amsat.org wrote:
I've been using the sats with my Arrow and HT and am considering the jump to a more robust station. I'm pretty well set with my TS-2000 and I can figure out antennas, but the interwebs are a major tangle of articles about tracking systems, and I'm having problems sorting out the info overload.
I'm in south Texas and planning a permanent installation, so weather hardiness is necessary. This seems to me to rule out SatNOGs and Portable Rotation systems. The main alternative I'm seeing is the Yaesu G-5500 (Alfa Spid is more than I'm wanting to spend). Where things get really murky is the computer interface. The GS232A is a bit on the expensive side. There are many alternatives, but many are no longer in production or are technically outdated.
What I'm looking for from the group is recommendations for Az-El rotor systems and computer interfaces (I'm using SATPC32 and HRD for the tracking software).
Thanks & 73, Keith WD9GET
--
* Keith E. Brandt, WD9GET wd9get@amsat.org <wd9get@amsat.org>* 'Christianity and science are opposed…but only in the same sense as my thumb and forefinger are opposed - and between them I can grasp everything.' —Sir William Bragg (Nobel Prize for Physics- 1915) *This message transmitted with 100% recycled electrons *xb* _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb-- Corey Shields _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Hi Dan,
Has anyone tried adapting an AZ/EL telescope drive system?
G6LVB experimented with a telescope drive as an antenna tracker a long time ago (like back around 2005) so Rick's experiments are more timely.
Photos and a short article are posted at: http://www.g6lvb.com/etx125.htm
Howard does point out that he needed counterweights to balance the stress on the drive system's mechanical parts.
-- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm@amsat.org
Here are some of the popular rotor interfaces in no particular order.
LVB Tracker from AMSAT https://www.amsat.org/product/lvb-tracker-complete/
ERC-M http://www.vibroplex.com/contents/en-us/d79.html
EA4TX controller https://ea4tx.com/en/products-page/ars-usb/
Fox Delta ST2 http://www.foxdelta.com/products/st2-rs232.htm
Green Heron RT21 https://www.greenheronengineering.com/RT_Overview.php
Dave-KB1PVH
Sent from my Galaxy S9
On Wed, Aug 1, 2018, 1:50 PM Keith E. Brandt, WD9GET wd9get@amsat.org wrote:
I've been using the sats with my Arrow and HT and am considering the jump to a more robust station. I'm pretty well set with my TS-2000 and I can figure out antennas, but the interwebs are a major tangle of articles about tracking systems, and I'm having problems sorting out the info overload.
I'm in south Texas and planning a permanent installation, so weather hardiness is necessary. This seems to me to rule out SatNOGs and Portable Rotation systems. The main alternative I'm seeing is the Yaesu G-5500 (Alfa Spid is more than I'm wanting to spend). Where things get really murky is the computer interface. The GS232A is a bit on the expensive side. There are many alternatives, but many are no longer in production or are technically outdated.
What I'm looking for from the group is recommendations for Az-El rotor systems and computer interfaces (I'm using SATPC32 and HRD for the tracking software).
Thanks & 73, Keith WD9GET
--
* Keith E. Brandt, WD9GET wd9get@amsat.org <wd9get@amsat.org>* 'Christianity and science are opposed…but only in the same sense as my thumb and forefinger are opposed - and between them I can grasp everything.' —Sir William Bragg (Nobel Prize for Physics- 1915) *This message transmitted with 100% recycled electrons *xb* _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
You might want to consider the Labjack U12 (https://labjack.com/) and build the needed piggyback. Works great with both SatPC32 and Nova. The piggyback goes between the U12 and the Yaesu controller box. The U12 connects to the computer via a USB cable. You can find the piggyback schematic at http://www.dk1tb.de/lj_piggyback.JPG%C2%A0 The Labjack U3 (http://www.dk1tb.de/lj_piggyback_u3.JPG) can also be used although I don't know of anyone using the U3 so I don't know how well it works. Good luck. 73, Charlie AJ9N One of the ARISS mentors In a message dated 8/1/2018 10:49:03 AM Pacific Standard Time, wd9get@amsat.org writes:
I've been using the sats with my Arrow and HT and am considering the jump to a more robust station. I'm pretty well set with my TS-2000 and I can figure out antennas, but the interwebs are a major tangle of articles about tracking systems, and I'm having problems sorting out the info overload. I'm in south Texas and planning a permanent installation, so weather hardiness is necessary. This seems to me to rule out SatNOGs and Portable Rotation systems. The main alternative I'm seeing is the Yaesu G-5500 (Alfa Spid is more than I'm wanting to spend). Where things get really murky is the computer interface. The GS232A is a bit on the expensive side. There are many alternatives, but many are no longer in production or are technically outdated. What I'm looking for from the group is recommendations for Az-El rotor systems and computer interfaces (I'm using SATPC32 and HRD for the tracking software). Thanks & 73, Keith WD9GET -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * Keith E. Brandt, WD9GET wd9get@amsat.org wd9get@amsat.org* 'Christianity and science are opposed…but only in the same sense as my thumb and forefinger are opposed - and between them I can grasp everything.' —Sir William Bragg (Nobel Prize for Physics- 1915) *This message transmitted with 100% recycled electrons *xb* _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Hi Keith, By way of sharing my personal experience -
(a) A controlled approach (aka smaller sticker shock) would be to establish the Azimuth rotor and use a fixed 30deg Elevation. It works for 90% of the passes. (b) But the main challenge in going from a handheld ops to a motorized rotator has one (usually missed) issue - you can no longer twist the antenna for phase angle compensation. (c) Also, a circularly polarized antenna (usually) requires a switch to change between RHCP and LHCP, for a complete setup. I too found the Arduino based approach most flexible and cost effective. You can review it here - https://sites.google.com/site/k6vugdiary/home/satellite-tracking-system I have since, following my own advice, modified it to control an old azimuth rotor. Take your time... Best, Umesh k6vug
On Wednesday, August 1, 2018, 10:48:44 AM PDT, Keith E. Brandt, WD9GET wd9get@amsat.org wrote:
I've been using the sats with my Arrow and HT and am considering the jump to a more robust station. I'm pretty well set with my TS-2000 and I can figure out antennas, but the interwebs are a major tangle of articles about tracking systems, and I'm having problems sorting out the info overload.
I'm in south Texas and planning a permanent installation, so weather hardiness is necessary. This seems to me to rule out SatNOGs and Portable Rotation systems. The main alternative I'm seeing is the Yaesu G-5500 (Alfa Spid is more than I'm wanting to spend). Where things get really murky is the computer interface. The GS232A is a bit on the expensive side. There are many alternatives, but many are no longer in production or are technically outdated.
What I'm looking for from the group is recommendations for Az-El rotor systems and computer interfaces (I'm using SATPC32 and HRD for the tracking software).
Thanks & 73, Keith WD9GET
participants (9)
-
aj9n＠aol.com -
Corey Shields -
Daniel Holmes -
Dave Webb KB1PVH -
Devin L. Ganger -
JoAnne Maenpaa -
k6vug＠sbcglobal.net -
Keith E. Brandt, WD9GET -
Mike Sprenger