Hi Joel,

If you're into homebrewing something, instead of fixing a rotor controller by making a new antenna, why not make a new controller?

The U1xx Rotor you have sounds like what I have. The controller is simply a mechanical counter that moves a wheel either left or right 10 degrees per "click" of the internal microswitch, stopping when the wheel aligns with the dial you set.

This can be done with a simple micro-controller chip and a bit of software you can write.

My controller does full Az / El control of a pair of rotors, with both manual and computer-controlled operation. A lot more than what you get with the original controller, but you don't need to go that far.

Take a look at http://home.wavecable.com/~ko6th at the top of the page on the left is a link to the design document. You can get a much more cost effective micro-controller chip these days, compared to what I used, but the principles are the same. Experiment and see what you can build.

Have fun,

Greg KO6TH

Joel Black wrote:

This is not going as smoothly as I had anticipated (does anything ever go as anticipated?).

I had initially planned on using my Arrow II antenna without the diplexer and an old Alliance U-110 rotor. As you'll read below, that doesn't look like it will happen anytime soon.

Even though the group was helpful trying to get the Alliance U-110 rotor controller synced (sunc?) up, It does not work reliably. It will turn in one direction, but not the other. I do not have the money to send the controller off for repair and Norm doesn't repair the U-100's and -110's. I could buy one from him, but again, that's money that isn't in the budget. After this issue, I took the controller apart and after a couple of hours, I finally get it to step in one direction correctly, but I cannot get it to go in the opposite direction. Shorting the shaft to the contacts in the controller rotates the rotor correctly so I am fairly certain the rotor is good - I have a controller issue. The online diagrams show a blow-up of the parts, but not now to correctly put it back together (there is a tab on the back of the black dial face and I'm not sure where that or the contacts on the actual geared dial go. I'm going to reluctantly email Norm and ask him, but he does this as a business and I don't want to interfere with that. In the past, he has been nice enough to offer advice though. I'm still playing with it and it hasn't "whooped" me yet.

For now, I do *not* have a rotor I can use. I am looking at purchasing another controller if I'm too stupid for Norm to help ;) . They're fairly cheap on the "Bay of E."

Without a reliable rotor, my pursuit has led me to QFH and Lindenblad antennas. Which of the two would be the better performer? I have found the pages with build instructions, but what do folks here think. I know they will be poor performers compared to CP yagis, I'm not looking for that comparison. I understand they're omni antennas with CP. I'm okay with that. I realize I'm not concentrating all of my RF in a narrow beam width. That's okay too. Yep, I will be disappointed. I'm disappointed now with the rotor controller. :)

I had initially thought that I'd put whatever I got inside the attic. With an omni, that probably wouldn't be prudent. I have enough coax for two runs to the chimney about 60' away.

So, any thoughts comparing the QFH to the Lindy?

Again, thanks for all the help getting me going again.

73, Joel - W4JBB _______________________________________________ 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