[amsat-bb] Re: controller and Rotator help

[Bill Howell]

Myles,

My friend is using a Yaesu 5400 rotor (the currently available model  
is the 5500).
  I do not believe that he has had any problem with it, nor have I.
He uses a controller created by Mark Spencer, WA8SME. Here is a link  
to the original QST page that describes it:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/ariss-kits/
Note that the kit is no longer available through Mark or the ARRL.  
The boards are available through Far Circuits...
http://www.farcircuits.net/control1.htm
It is described as "SATELITE TRACKER INTERFACE FOR G-5500, G-5400,  
NOVA, SatPC32 BY WA8SME
INCLUDES PROGRAMMED PIC AND BOARD".

What you are buying is a circuit board and programmed PIC chip. You  
will have to buy miscellaneous parts to finish out the project.

When used with MacDoppler, the "EasyCom" protocol is selected .

I hope all the above is not too confusing.

You mention a concern about not having access to the roof, once the  
rotor is installed.

Keep in mind that at some point in the future, you may end up having  
to get up there and troubleshoot the unit or perhaps attend to a coax  
connector that is letting in the rain, etc.

Bill Howell N5AB



On Jul 5, 2009, at 5:44 AM, myles landstein wrote:


> hi
>
> thank you very much for  all the info and  willingness  to ask a  
> friend about his setup
> could you   in particular ask  what his experience was  w/the  
> rotator  was it 'trouble free' for him
>
>
> my biggest  concern  is getting  a  bad  brand of   rotator   
> because   it will be  very difficult  for  me t get   the building   
> to give me access to the roof  and to hire   people  to have to  
> climb up  and replace a  rotator  so naturally  i want to make sure  
> to get the right brand,     the alpha spid seems to be  double in  
> price  not chump change   so  while i don't mind  getting  one,     
> i don't want to  waste money if the yaesu is  'ok'  and so far  i  
> don't know  anyone who said they had the spid  perhaps it's   
> problematic  or just  too  $$
>
> excuse  my babble   and again thanks for all
>
> myles
>
>
> On Jul 4, 2009, at 11:02 PM, Bill Howell wrote:
>
>> Myles,
>>
>> My antennas/rotor are disassembled right now, as we are trying to
>> sell the house.
>> When it was all together, I used an older version of MacDoppler Pro,
>> a Mac G4 tower with a serial card,
>> and an Endeavour Auto Tracker ( http://endeavour-usa.com/
>> autotracker.htm ) driving a Yaesu 5400 rotor.
>> The system worked FB.
>>
>> Had I to do it over, I might not choose the Endeavour interface unit.
>> It requires a serial port
>> on the Mac, and I'm not sure if a serial-to USB converter would work
>> right with it
>> (an Imac, for instance, has no provision for a serial card).
>>
>> MacDoppler is an excellent program with great support.
>> The 5400 was purchased used and has been up on my roof for a number
>> of years with no problems.
>>
>> A friend of mine (who may not subscribe to this list) is using a Mac,
>> MacDoppler and a Yaesu 5400.
>> I will email him and see what he is using for an interface unit (I
>> think his Mac is USB-only), and let you know.
>>
>> Bill Howell N5AB
>>
>>
>> On Jul 4, 2009, at 8:12 PM, myles landstein wrote:
>>
>>> Since no one has  replied  thought  I might give it another  try,
>>> while perhaps not many  are familiar with MacDoppler software,  I
>>> hope  some would  be  with the  hardware and wouldn't mind  offering
>>> some  help?
>>>
>>>
>>> thanks
>>>
>>> happy 4th
>>>
>>>
>>> On Jul 3, 2009, at 4:47 PM, myles landstein wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hoping to get some real world advice from those that are using
>>>> MacDoppler and a compatible Rotor /Controller set up as this will
>>>> be my first time getting a rotator and controller.
>>>>
>>>> I wanted to solicit some advice on two fronts, the rotor
>>>> controller basically for ease of use with MacDoppler and
>>>> rotor reliability.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> My first thoughts were towards a Yaesu 5500 and maybe the
>>>> PrimeTec controller or maybe the LVB tracker as it's less costly.
>>>>
>>>> I read a few reviews but not much was out there in general but
>>>> especially on the PrimeTec...
>>>
>>> Anyone using the PrimeTec?
>>>>
>>>> What are you using as a controller? would appreciate any
>>>> comparisons pro's cons tips tricks you might have
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> My biggest concern really is the Rotator. I am in a situation such
>>>> that after installation, getting back to the roof for repairs
>>>> would be rather difficult. So i am trying to identify the 'best'
>>>> small/moderate sized rotator (az/el) as possible /practical.
>>>>
>>>> Will be turning a small M2 2m and 440 circular pol beam
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Not really sure how reliable the 5500 is for long term use. so
>>>> if there was a 'better' more reliable and or longer lasting rotor
>>>> out there i'd strongly consider it
>>>>
>>>> The only thing I thought of as a alternative was the AlphaSpid but
>>>> comparing reviews I seem to come out about the same between it and
>>>> the 5500 -hoping some real world  responses might  help me break  
>>>> the
>>>> 'tie'
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Since this is all new stuff and I am not finding the usual
>>>> quality 'google' results /reviews (PrimeTec) I would greatly
>>>> appreciate any
>>>> help or experience /advice on this from someone that went down
>>>> this road already and willing to share some first hand info on what
>>>> they use.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> thanks very much grateful for any advice.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Going to Dayton '10  It will get better with
>>>> more support!
>>>>
>>>> Myles D   Landstein
>>>> N2EHG
>>>> myles.landstein at gmail.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> Myles Landstein
>>> myles.landstein at gmail.com
>>> please note my   new email address
>>> dti will soon be eliminated , gmail is my new home  update your dir
>>>
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>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the  
>> author.
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>
> Myles Landstein
> myles.landstein at gmail.com
> please note my   new email address
> dti will soon be eliminated , gmail is my new home  update your dir
>