[amsat-bb] Re: rotator questions

[w6zkh@comcast.net]

Good morning all...........well, interesting reading to say the least for me, being a noobie here chasing the birds. Now that I have my KLM's up for LEO's, and not having computer control of the cheap Radio Shack rotator, (which only travels about 355 degs stop to stop),I used the "close enough for govt work" or "horseshoe and hand grenade" approach. I ended up trying the compass method with inclination correction, and set it like that, but didnt seem right. So next used the "Dracula" method of driving a stake into the ground and waited till High Noon (1pm PDT) and looked at the shadow. Well, the compass method was as close and being I dont need exact degrees, this is where I am set. Course someday I hope to get the nice AZ-EL system up with computer control and then I will probably be more critical. Subject is interesting though about using the sun for a noise generator. 

John W6ZKH 


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Greg D." <ko6th_greg at hotmail.com> 
To: nigel at ngunn.net 
Cc: amsat-bb at amsat.org, n0jy at lavabit.com 
Sent: Friday, August 14, 2009 10:41:00 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific 
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: rotator questions 


Hi Nigel, 

In theory, yes, the Sun is a known signal generator and can be used for this purpose, if you've got a good enough receive system to pick up the noise, and have the right test equipment to measure it. (Recall the original question started around an Elk-class antenna system, which I do not believe qualifies.) 

Logistically, however, you are up on the roof or tower, screw drivers and wrenches in hand, and likely your instrumentation is not. How are you going to know when you have the right position? Using the shadow method - I actually use the shadow of my 2.4 ghz feed on the BBQ Grill dish as my guide - takes me all of a few seconds, and I'm consistently within a few degrees of perfect. Why not go with the easy method? 

Greg KO6TH 


> Date: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:17:10 +0000 
> From: nigel at ngunn.net 
> To: ko6th_greg at hotmail.com 
> CC: n0jy at lavabit.com; bhowell at mail.utexas.edu; amsat-bb at amsat.org 
> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: rotator questions 
> 
> How about aiming for maximum receiver noise? That should be even more accurate. 
> 
> Greg Wrote: and then adjust the antenna so the shadow falls directly down the antenna boom. 

_________________________________________________________________ 
Get back to school stuff for them and cashback for you. 
http://www.bing.com/cashback?form=MSHYCB&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT_MSHYCB_BackToSchool_Cashback_BTSCashback_1x1 
_______________________________________________ 
Sent via AMSAT-BB at 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