Hi all, OK, unless some other option comes up, or there is an incompatibility problem that I am aware of, I have narrowed my list of rotor interfaces down to the following 2....
The LVB at.... http://www.g6lvb.com//Articles/LVBTracker/index.htm
The Sat688 at.... http://www2.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/ariss-kits/
I have a Yaesu G-5500 and a FT-847 for the rotor and radio respectively. I intend to use Orbitron for my tracking and radio control software if the above interfaces are compatible. The computer is a PIII 650mhz with 1 serial and 1 USB port. I was thinking of using the serial port for radio control and the USB port for the rotor interface.
I am leaning toward the LVB since the PIC can be programmed and re-programmed onboard, and it can be made into the LVB 2 for stand alone operation without the computer control, although it will be a little more expensive to construct.
On the other hand the Satt688 is less expensive, and should suffice as well. How important is it to be able to re-program the pic?
All comments appreciated,
Thanks, RoD KD0XX
A good friend will come and bail you out of jail, A TRUE friend will be sitting next to you saying.....
"DAMN THAT WAS FUN"
Hi Rod
The LVB at.... http://www.g6lvb.com//Articles/LVBTracker/index.htm
The Sat688 at.... http://www2.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/ariss-kits/
...
and it can be made into the LVB 2 for stand alone operation without the computer control, although it will be a little more expensive to construct.
OK, admittedly I'm hardly an unbiased observer ;-) but I should note that the LVB 2 is still very much at an alpha development stage - it works, but it's not what I'd call production strength. However the cost of upgrading is only the cost of the plug in replacement PIC, the PIC18F2550 - showing about US$10 on Digikey.
I debuted the STELLA SDX at the same time as the LVB 2 and the SDX attracted quite a bit more interest at the time so that's where my efforts have been directed for the past 18 months.
Two other points perhaps worthy of note:
o the LVB Tracker uses no SMT parts unless you choose to build the add-on USB daughter board yourself (that daughter board is available pre-built too);
o a substantial proportion of the LVB kit price goes to building new satellites.
Good luck with your tracking!
73, Howard G6LVB
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