simplest USB rotor interface
As an AMSAT Area Coordinator, I occasionally get questions about rotor interfaces. So I need to become better informed about the interface options.
I'm well aware of the LVBtracker, but to me it seems to be overkill for the intended purpose. It's not necessary for a rotor interface to have a big box, display, and control switches. The interface really only needs to contain A/D and D/A converters. All displays and controls can be implemented "virtually" on the computer's screen.
Is there a simple and cheap USB interface for the G-5500 rotor? Something small and simple like FODtrack, but with a USB port? I'm aware of WinRotor USB, but nobody in North America seems to use it.
Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik
Wayne,
Fox Delta has a very basic unit called the ST-1.
http://www.foxdelta.com/products/st1.htm
Dave - KB1PVH
Sent from my Verizon Wireless DROID X On Nov 17, 2011 12:39 PM, "Wayne Estes" w9ae@charter.net wrote:
As an AMSAT Area Coordinator, I occasionally get questions about rotor interfaces. So I need to become better informed about the interface options.
I'm well aware of the LVBtracker, but to me it seems to be overkill for the intended purpose. It's not necessary for a rotor interface to have a big box, display, and control switches. The interface really only needs to contain A/D and D/A converters. All displays and controls can be implemented "virtually" on the computer's screen.
Is there a simple and cheap USB interface for the G-5500 rotor? Something small and simple like FODtrack, but with a USB port? I'm aware of WinRotor USB, but nobody in North America seems to use it.
Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik ______________________________**_________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. 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-bbhttp://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Check out the FoxDelta. Simple, inexpensive and works great
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Wayne Estes Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2011 9:28 AM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] simplest USB rotor interface
As an AMSAT Area Coordinator, I occasionally get questions about rotor interfaces. So I need to become better informed about the interface options.
I'm well aware of the LVBtracker, but to me it seems to be overkill for the intended purpose. It's not necessary for a rotor interface to have a big box, display, and control switches. The interface really only needs to contain A/D and D/A converters. All displays and controls can be implemented "virtually" on the computer's screen.
Is there a simple and cheap USB interface for the G-5500 rotor? Something small and simple like FODtrack, but with a USB port? I'm aware of WinRotor USB, but nobody in North America seems to use it.
Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. 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
NOTICE: This communication may contain privileged or other confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this communication, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this communication to the intended recipient, please advise the sender by reply email and immediately delete the message and any attachments without copying or disclosing the contents. Thank you.
Exactly! This is what I use, although I do use an RS-232 serial interface port on my PC but you could use a USB to RS-232 converter. It only has idiot lights to let you know that it is doing something, your rotator controller shows you the rest. It's kind of like having an invisible set of fingers controlling the switches!
And if things get hung up, you can power off your rotator and power it back on and the ST-1 won't keep trying to move the antenna. My KCT would not let go until you shut down the tracking program, which was annoying because IF the antennas get hung up for some reason I didn't want them moving when I powered the rotator back on, what I needed to do was move them back the other way!
Jerry NØJY
Check out the FoxDelta. Simple, inexpensive and works great
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Wayne Estes Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2011 9:28 AM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] simplest USB rotor interface
As an AMSAT Area Coordinator, I occasionally get questions about rotor interfaces. So I need to become better informed about the interface options.
I'm well aware of the LVBtracker, but to me it seems to be overkill for the intended purpose. It's not necessary for a rotor interface to have a big box, display, and control switches. The interface really only needs to contain A/D and D/A converters. All displays and controls can be implemented "virtually" on the computer's screen.
Is there a simple and cheap USB interface for the G-5500 rotor? Something small and simple like FODtrack, but with a USB port? I'm aware of WinRotor USB, but nobody in North America seems to use it.
Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. 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
NOTICE: This communication may contain privileged or other confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this communication, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this communication to the intended recipient, please advise the sender by reply email and immediately delete the message and any attachments without copying or disclosing the contents. Thank you.
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. 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
On Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:27:34 -0800 Wayne Estes w9ae@charter.net wrote:
Is there a simple and cheap USB interface for the G-5500 rotor? Something small and simple like FODtrack, but with a USB port? I'm aware of WinRotor USB, but nobody in North America seems to use it.
Arduino and a couple of relays? Someone buy me a rotator so I can develop you a prototype ;-)
The LVB Tracker is small. The switch buttons are for calibration mainly. The switches on the G-5400/G-5500 can be used for manual control. With the USB interface you don't need to fool with another serial port. 73, Harvey K5HV
----- Original Message ----- From: "Wayne Estes" w9ae@charter.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2011 11:27 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] simplest USB rotor interface
As an AMSAT Area Coordinator, I occasionally get questions about rotor interfaces. So I need to become better informed about the interface options.
I'm well aware of the LVBtracker, but to me it seems to be overkill for the intended purpose. It's not necessary for a rotor interface to have a big box, display, and control switches. The interface really only needs to contain A/D and D/A converters. All displays and controls can be implemented "virtually" on the computer's screen.
Is there a simple and cheap USB interface for the G-5500 rotor? Something small and simple like FODtrack, but with a USB port? I'm aware of WinRotor USB, but nobody in North America seems to use it.
Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. 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
Take a look at:
http://easy-rotor-control.com/
Something for every taste and budget.
Stefan, VE4NSA
On Thu, Nov 17, 2011 at 11:27 AM, Wayne Estes w9ae@charter.net wrote:
As an AMSAT Area Coordinator, I occasionally get questions about rotor interfaces. So I need to become better informed about the interface options.
I'm well aware of the LVBtracker, but to me it seems to be overkill for the intended purpose. It's not necessary for a rotor interface to have a big box, display, and control switches. The interface really only needs to contain A/D and D/A converters. All displays and controls can be implemented "virtually" on the computer's screen.
Is there a simple and cheap USB interface for the G-5500 rotor? Something small and simple like FODtrack, but with a USB port? I'm aware of WinRotor USB, but nobody in North America seems to use it.
Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. 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 (7)
-
D. Craig Fox -
Dave Webb KB1PVH -
Gordon JC Pearce -
H. Vordenbaum -
n0jy＠lavabit.com -
Stefan Wagener -
Wayne Estes