Remoted rotator controller
Contemplating my Yaesu G-5400 and not so fond of the idea of running 2x 6x18AWG cables nearly 200'...(more accurately, paying for them). Has anyone ever put the controller at the antenna base and instead ran the computer<->controller wires the long distance between the computer interface and the control box? Seems like it would be a lot cheaper, in the sense of fewer wires of a smaller gauge, and not so much worry about voltage drop etc. My setup is low to the ground, so the control box would be ground-mounted in a weatherproof shelter. The "digital" run would be the 200' or more, and the "analog" or "power" run only 20' or so. If done the traditional way these lengths would be reversed. Or is this a stunningly dumb idea for reasons yet-unknown to me?
Scott Townley NX7U Gilbert, AZ DM43di mailto:[email protected] http://members.cox.net/nx7u
Hi Scott,
I assume you are using RS232 from the PC to the controller? It would be challenging to have a 200' serial connection on copper. The first RS232 specification talks about 50' maximum length at 19k2 but in practice this can be higher when speed is dropped. However, worth a try and if it doesn't work you can consider RS232 extenders. These typically use Cat5 cable.
BR, -- //\arc
Scott Townley schreef:
Contemplating my Yaesu G-5400 and not so fond of the idea of running 2x 6x18AWG cables nearly 200'...(more accurately, paying for them). Has anyone ever put the controller at the antenna base and instead ran the computer<->controller wires the long distance between the computer interface and the control box? Seems like it would be a lot cheaper, in the sense of fewer wires of a smaller gauge, and not so much worry about voltage drop etc. My setup is low to the ground, so the control box would be ground-mounted in a weatherproof shelter. The "digital" run would be the 200' or more, and the "analog" or "power" run only 20' or so. If done the traditional way these lengths would be reversed. Or is this a stunningly dumb idea for reasons yet-unknown to me?
Scott Townley NX7U Gilbert, AZ DM43di mailto:[email protected] http://members.cox.net/nx7u
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----- Original Message ----- From: "Scott Townley" [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2008 5:51 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Remoted rotator controller
Contemplating my Yaesu G-5400 and not so fond of the idea of running 2x 6x18AWG cables nearly 200'...(more accurately, paying for them). Has anyone ever put the controller at the antenna base and instead ran the computer<->controller wires the long distance between the computer interface and the control box? Seems like it would be a lot cheaper, in the sense of fewer wires of a smaller gauge, and not so much worry about voltage drop etc. My setup is low to the ground, so the control box would be ground-mounted in a weatherproof shelter. The "digital" run would be the 200' or more, and the "analog" or "power" run only 20' or so. If done the traditional way these lengths would be reversed. Or is this a stunningly dumb idea for reasons yet-unknown to me?
Scott Townley NX7U Gilbert, AZ DM43di mailto:[email protected] http://members.cox.net/nx7u
Hi Scott, NX7U
Theoretically it should work but are you sure that your antennas will always moving in AZ and EL according to your computer program or are you obliged to go time to time upstairs over the roof just in doubt to verify the situation ?
When the control box is normally installed in the shack you run wires that are 24 Vac for the motors and wires that are 0 to 5 V dc for the potentiometers.
If you install the control box over the roof you must run a 200' cable between the rear 8 pin External Control DIN connector and your PC but pins 4-2-5-3 are the high impedance wires connected to your PC to switch the relays RY1-RY2-RY3-RY4 located into the control box.
Only less than 1 mA between each pin 4-2-5-3 and ground is enough by your PC to activate each relay so that the above long run wires are more suscettible to get noise or RF interference or low insulation by the umidity disturbing the system operation.
Best 73" de
i8CVS Domenico
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Scott Townley