Happy New Year
I just watched the ISS pass over Seattle. Always glad to help! I was watching my satellite array track the ISS and noticed how "jerky" it is every time it increments. I have a 5400 az/el with LVB tracker. Made me wonder if I could get more life out of the rotors if there were a "soft start" of sorts for the rotors. The bouncing back and forth with each adjustment made me think the gears are getting a workout.
73 Bob W7LRD
Seattle
It's pouring here in Long Beach, so no joy trying to see it again tonight! 73, Jim KQ6EA
On 01/03/2011 01:53 AM, Bob- W7LRD wrote:
Happy New Year
I just watched the ISS pass over Seattle. Always glad to help! I was watching my satellite array track the ISS and noticed how "jerky" it is every time it increments. I have a 5400 az/el with LVB tracker. Made me wonder if I could get more life out of the rotors if there were a "soft start" of sorts for the rotors. The bouncing back and forth with each adjustment made me think the gears are getting a workout.
73 Bob W7LRD
Seattle _______________________________________________ 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
My 5500 az/el does the same thing.
Larry W7IN
On 1/2/2011 6:53 PM, Bob- W7LRD wrote:
Happy New Year
I just watched the ISS pass over Seattle. Always glad to help! I was watching my satellite array track the ISS and noticed how "jerky" it is every time it increments. I have a 5400 az/el with LVB tracker. Made me wonder if I could get more life out of the rotors if there were a "soft start" of sorts for the rotors. The bouncing back and forth with each adjustment made me think the gears are getting a workout.
73 Bob W7LRD
Seattle _______________________________________________ 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
What tracking program are you running? I know in the "Rotor Setup" of SatPC32 there are parameters that you can adjust that will 'smooth out' a lot of the start/stop jerkiness. You can command the rotor to move at specified time intervals, or when the tracked object changes position by an adjustable number of degrees. You also have to consider the pattern of your antenna. If the 3dB points of your antenna are 30*, it makes _no_ sense to move them every 5*. The first time I ran a PC controlled Az/El setup I was using one of the "Ultimate Charger" controllers, and I didn't think to 'open up' the dead-band setting. I thought the antennas were going to shake themselves (and the tower!) apart. I don't recall the settings I'm using with SatPC32 and my Fox Delta LVB 'clone', but it tracks very smoothly. with little antenna shake. Jim KQ6EA
On 01/04/2011 01:00 AM, Larry Gerhardstein wrote:
My 5500 az/el does the same thing.
Larry W7IN
On 1/2/2011 6:53 PM, Bob- W7LRD wrote:
Happy New Year
I just watched the ISS pass over Seattle. Always glad to help! I was watching my satellite array track the ISS and noticed how "jerky" it is every time it increments. I have a 5400 az/el with LVB tracker. Made me wonder if I could get more life out of the rotors if there were a "soft start" of sorts for the rotors. The bouncing back and forth with each adjustment made me think the gears are getting a workout.
73 Bob W7LRD
Seattle _______________________________________________ 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
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
I have the same set-up and problem. I haven't tried it yet but a wise and trusted friend told me the issue was a saggy power supply in the controller. When the motors were running there was less voltage to the end of the pot for position information and when the motors stop more voltage and bang position error that needs to be corrected. motors back on etc. He suggested large electrolytics on the dc rail and smaller caps on the position voltage. all external to the controller so easy to try but too busy to play right now. Another alternative was additional voltage regulation on the ends of the pots. If it works please let me know. John KN4GE ________________________________________ From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] on behalf of Jim Jerzycke [kq6ea@verizon.net] Sent: 04 January 2011 00:03 To: gerhardstein@montana.com Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ISS visable
What tracking program are you running? I know in the "Rotor Setup" of SatPC32 there are parameters that you can adjust that will 'smooth out' a lot of the start/stop jerkiness. You can command the rotor to move at specified time intervals, or when the tracked object changes position by an adjustable number of degrees. You also have to consider the pattern of your antenna. If the 3dB points of your antenna are 30*, it makes _no_ sense to move them every 5*. The first time I ran a PC controlled Az/El setup I was using one of the "Ultimate Charger" controllers, and I didn't think to 'open up' the dead-band setting. I thought the antennas were going to shake themselves (and the tower!) apart. I don't recall the settings I'm using with SatPC32 and my Fox Delta LVB 'clone', but it tracks very smoothly. with little antenna shake. Jim KQ6EA
On 01/04/2011 01:00 AM, Larry Gerhardstein wrote:
My 5500 az/el does the same thing.
Larry W7IN
On 1/2/2011 6:53 PM, Bob- W7LRD wrote:
Happy New Year
I just watched the ISS pass over Seattle. Always glad to help! I was watching my satellite array track the ISS and noticed how "jerky" it is every time it increments. I have a 5400 az/el with LVB tracker. Made me wonder if I could get more life out of the rotors if there were a "soft start" of sorts for the rotors. The bouncing back and forth with each adjustment made me think the gears are getting a workout.
73 Bob W7LRD
Seattle _______________________________________________ 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
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
_______________________________________________ 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 (4)
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Bob- W7LRD -
Jim Jerzycke -
John Floyd -
Larry Gerhardstein