[amsat-bb] Remoted rotator controller

[Scott Townley]

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:nx7u at arrl.net
http://members.cox.net/nx7u