Has anyone modified Predict export GS-232 as opposed to EasyComm 2?
I recently purchased an AlfaSpid RAS-1 rotator from Hy-Gain. The controller accepts either GS-232 or AlfaSpid's own protocol.
Additionally, has anyone noticed the digits on the controller display flickering? Its just a nuisance, but surprising since I'm feeding it from a lead acid battery so there can't be any ripple or rectification.
73, Ryan, KB1LKI
On Tue, 2010-02-02 at 11:16 -0800, Ryan Caron wrote:
Additionally, has anyone noticed the digits on the controller display flickering? Its just a nuisance, but surprising since I'm feeding it from a lead acid battery so there can't be any ripple or rectification.
It may be that they are multiplexed, and driven at a low enough frequency that the flicker is apparent. You see this on all sorts of equipment. One particularly unusual one was the Ensoniq Mirage sampler from the mid-80s, where the segment lines were driven from a shift register and the digit selects for its two-digit LED display (100 parameters, some in hex, and an UP and DOWN button to edit them...) were driven off an I/O pin. All of it was handled in software, and when the sound chip was making heavy demands on its little 6809 brain the display would dim, then flicker in a kind of "chase pattern"...
Gordon MM0YEQ
Hi Ryan,
At first I ran my Alfa Spid off the shack 13.8V D.C. supply. I also got flicker plus some anomalous readings. I put this down to voltage drops on my power supply. You might be having a similar experience as under load from the Spid motors your car battery may not be giving 12 volts.
Here is my solution. The Spid will run on AC as well as DC so I got a largeish mains to 24V toroidal transformer. Put it in a box with the usual connectors, fuse, switch etc. With my Spid on a dedicated supply it works perfectly. Didn't cost much and is fully independant of the radio supply.
I think the Spid Alpha system is an excellent piece of kit, mechanically probably overkill for most satellite antenna installation but I expect mine to last many times longer that the alternatives. If you didn't get the "mouse" option its great. A computer mouse internally modified so that you can easily do up/down, left/right right from a mouse right next to you at the operating position
73 John G7HIA
PS - no commercial connection with Spid Alpa, just a satisfied customer.
________________________________ From: Ryan Caron [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, 2 February, 2010 19:16:16 Subject: [amsat-bb] AlfaSpid RAS & Predict
Has anyone modified Predict export GS-232 as opposed to EasyComm 2?
I recently purchased an AlfaSpid RAS-1 rotator from Hy-Gain. The controller accepts either GS-232 or AlfaSpid's own protocol.
Additionally, has anyone noticed the digits on the controller display flickering? Its just a nuisance, but surprising since I'm feeding it from a lead acid battery so there can't be any ripple or rectification.
73, Ryan, KB1LKI _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
participants (3)
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Gordon JC Pearce -
John Heath -
Ryan Caron