[amsat-bb] Tracking - End-stop Problem

[Clive Wallis]

Hi,

A problem that I've had for many years is how to track when the 
satellite's azimuth crosses across the rotator's end-stop,  ie. when the 
azimuth changes from 0 to 359 degrees. 

My rotator turns between 0 and 450 degrees, so it should be possible to  
use  angles between  360  and 450  to  overcome a sudden  transition  
from  0 to 360 degrees.

As the pass data is  available within the tracking program, it should be 
feasible to deal with the problem in the program.   Do any tracking 
programs include this feature?

A possible solution would be to use a small PIC between the computer and 
tracker, which could modify the commanded azimuth.

I'm using a Yaseu 5500, LVB tracker, Sat_Explorer tracking program and 
WinXP.

Any help,  suggestions or comments would be most welcome.

73     Clive    G3CWV

Hitchin, North Hertfordshire, UK