[amsat-bb] Re: AlfaSpid RAS & Predict

[books47925@mypacks.net]

Hi John,
    Are you using this rotor system for an array of antennas
or a big dish? If a dish, how large? I noticed their rotors at
Visalia last year. But didn't ask the reps their thoughts
about turning a 12 to 16 foot dish. I know there are two
versions, I think one is heavy duty. Not sure which one
you are using. Thank You for any additional info.
73,

de KB8VAO, Steve


-----Original Message-----
>From: John Heath <g7hia at btinternet.com>
>Sent: Feb 6, 2010 12:47 PM
>To: Ryan Caron <rcaron at gmail.com>
>Cc: Amsat <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
>Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AlfaSpid RAS & Predict
>
>Hi Ryan,
>
>At first I ran my Alfa Spid off the shack 13.8V D.C. supply. I also got flicker plus some anomalous readings.
>I put this down to voltage drops on my power supply.
>You might be having a similar experience as under load from the Spid motors your car battery may not be giving 12 volts.
>
>Here is my solution. The Spid will run on AC as well as DC so I got a largeish mains to 24V toroidal transformer. Put it in a box with the usual connectors, fuse, switch etc. With my Spid on a dedicated supply it works perfectly. Didn't cost much and is fully independant of the radio supply.
>
>I think the Spid Alpha system is an excellent piece of kit, mechanically probably overkill for most satellite antenna installation but I expect mine to last many times longer that the alternatives. If you didn't get the "mouse" option its great. A computer mouse internally modified so that you can easily do up/down, left/right right from a mouse right next to you at the operating position
>
>73 John G7HIA
>
>PS - no commercial connection with Spid Alpa, just a satisfied customer.
>
>
>
>
>________________________________
>From: Ryan Caron <rcaron at gmail.com>
>To: amsat-bb at amsat.org
>Sent: Tuesday, 2 February, 2010 19:16:16
>Subject: [amsat-bb] AlfaSpid RAS & Predict
>
>Has anyone modified Predict export GS-232 as opposed to EasyComm 2?
>
>I recently purchased an AlfaSpid RAS-1 rotator from Hy-Gain. The 
>controller accepts either GS-232 or AlfaSpid's own protocol.
>
>Additionally, has anyone noticed the digits on the controller display 
>flickering? Its just a nuisance, but surprising since I'm feeding it 
>from a lead acid battery so there can't be any ripple or rectification.
>
>73,
>Ryan, KB1LKI
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