[amsat-bb] Re: controller and Rotator help

John ns1z at cfl.rr.com
Thu Jul 9 01:58:12 PDT 2009 

Here is a link to a fellow ham who produces fantastic kits/fully 
assembled units. They are REAL reasonable priced and work just great. 
Give him a try you will be very happy with the results.
http://www.foxdelta.com/products/satellite.htm

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Howell" <bhowell at mail.utexas.edu>
To: "Amsat List" <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2009 7:00 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: controller and Rotator help


> 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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>>>> author.
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>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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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
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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 
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>

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