All,
Is there any other good light duty rotor other than the Yaesu G-5500 that would work well for satellite work? I might like to consider getting one for some homemade antennas that I might use for a rover setup. Other than the rotor and a computer, what do I need to be able to get the thing to track the birds. I know I obviously need a tracking program like SatPC32, Orbitron, HRD – Are any of those better than another? Sorry for the “amateur” questions – I have never done anything with rotors – just the Arrow/HT and standing out in the cold freezing combination. ;-)
73!
Zack KD8KSN
If you're talking light-duty, for modest-sized homemade antennas, there are several azimuth-only TV rotors and light-duty ham rotors that would do the job. Just mount your antennas at a fixed elevation of 15 degrees, and you will be able to work most passes up to 45 degrees or so. (If they go higher than that, just work 'em early or late in the pass when they are lower).
Look for a rotor that provides a DC position feedback voltage to the controller (0 to 5 volts for 0 to 360 degrees is what most satellite controllers expect - you may need to modify the rotor or its controller to provide the voltage.) There was one available at a lot of home-improvement and *-Mart stores a few years ago called the Orbit 360 that was ideal. Check eBay, Craigslist, and The Rotor Man on the web for that, and other options.
Software-wise, I am a HUGE fan of SatPC32. The developer, Erich Eichmann, is a member of this group and provides unparalleled support, the price is very reasonable, and 100% of the proceeds go to AMSAT to build and launch satellites.
George, KA3HSW
----- Original Message ----- From: "Zachary Beougher" zack.kd8ksn@hotmail.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Monday, December 20, 2010 8:53 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Rotors
All,
Is there any other good light duty rotor other than the Yaesu G-5500 that would work well for satellite work? I might like to consider getting one for some homemade antennas that I might use for a rover setup. Other than the rotor and a computer, what do I need to be able to get the thing to track the birds. I know I obviously need a tracking program like SatPC32, Orbitron, HRD – Are any of those better than another? Sorry for the “amateur” questions – I have never done anything with rotors – just the Arrow/HT and standing out in the cold freezing combination. ;-)
73!
Zack KD8KSN _______________________________________________ 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
Hi Zack,
I use an Alliance TV-type rotor on its side for elevation, and a regular light duty ham-type rotor for azimuth, both tied into a home-brewed controller for fully automatic operation.
See: http://home.wavecable.com/~ko6th/ at the top of the page.
Have fun,
Greg KO6TH
From: zack.kd8ksn@hotmail.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2010 09:53:59 -0500 Subject: [amsat-bb] Rotors
All,
Is there any other good light duty rotor other than the Yaesu G-5500 that would work well for satellite work? I might like to consider getting one for some homemade antennas that I might use for a rover setup. Other than the rotor and a computer, what do I need to be able to get the thing to track the birds. I know I obviously need a tracking program like SatPC32, Orbitron, HRD – Are any of those better than another? Sorry for the “amateur” questions – I have never done anything with rotors – just the Arrow/HT and standing out in the cold freezing combination. ;-)
73!
Zack KD8KSN _______________________________________________ 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 (3)
-
George Henry -
Greg D. -
Zachary Beougher