This is an update on my progress with a controller to replace the yaesu
rs-232 rotor control module. this approach is much cheaper and has many
possibilities for additional features... its all just a matter of
software.
I now have the controller working with CT, I don't know all the possible
computer commands that the yaesu rotor uses, but I do have the one that
CT knows. I am presently playing with software that would let the
controller handle up to 4 rotors from one computer(not with CT but maybe
from other programs?). each rotor can have different degrees of
rotation. I can set up to 12 preset buttons total(lots more possibly if
you want to encode them). It does know how to pick the shortest
rotation distance making use of the overlap range in the g-xxxx and it
can handle any stop location.
right now i have installed it in a g-2700sdx controller for my 20m
station that has a north stop. I also tested it in a g-2800sdx that has
a south stop. I plan on using it this weekend in the IARU test to see
how it holds up to rf and such... so far it seems pretty solid even
without any added filtering.
i checked with the manufacturer about price breakpoints. They are
reasonable, but probably not enough to make small production runs
profitable... at least not with my overhead rates, or experience. I am
after all a software designer, not a manufacturing engineer.
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the whole system for a single g-xxxxsdx rotor control consists of:
Z-World Micro-G2(b) z180 controller with a/d converter. costs are:
MG2B $159(q1) $144(q5) $129(q25) $114(q100) $99 (q500)
(for more info see http://www.zworld.com/ )
two 2n2222 or equiv transistors and 2 resistors for driving the
directional control of the rotor. (could be done with open collector
driver ic also to handle multiple rotors)
4 spst momentary switches and 4 pullup resistors (3 presets and one
program button in my current configuration)
misc connectors.
A 128k EEPROM or (UV)EPROM or (27C010 is listed as one type) I am not
sure how small a rom i could fit the program in right now, but the
controller also accepts 27c256 and 27c512.
a 10k trim pot for setting speed.
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I haven't played with the eeprom stuff yet but they say you can use it
for non-volatile storage for your program variables. They also provide
for battery backup of the static ram. It would also be possible to use
some of the input lines as programming jumpers for common rotor types at
the expense of some preset lines. Or as I do it now, you can program
parameters through the rs-232 port and loose them when you power down
the controller. (nice for testing, but probably not for production)
The trimpot i am using could be replaced by programming some output
lines and adding some more resistors to make a dumb d/a to provide
software control of speed. Its interesting that the front panel speed
control doesn't work when you use the internal left/right control lines.
Other options could be to add relays to the control outputs that should
make it possible to control any rotor that has an analog position
indicator and left/right(or up/down?) pushbuttons. Z-World also offers
a 6 relay board but the price seems a bit steep, but you can daisy chain
up to 64 of them if you have a BIG antenna farm to control! I really
got this thing to play with different switching controls for antennas,
with the addition of relays i think i could build one hell of an octopus
with this thing.... or just add ptt safety to pushbutton antenna
switching.... or make a smarter band switching controller that could
read the parallel port outputs... or... well, lots of stuff, its just a
matter of software after all.
I guess what I am looking for now is suggestions or volunteers. I could
write up an article for do-it-yourselfers, but would need a way to
reproduce the rom. (the software development kit is $195 for anyone
that would prefer compiling it themselves to eeprom) Or someone could
produce the small additional board for the pullup resistors and switch
drivers... (the prototype board with power supply cube goes for $129,
which gives you the eeprom, a 2" square proto board with a buzzer, 2
leds, 2 switches and some jumpers, and its just a bit too high when
attached to the controller to fit in the yaesu box.... but just think of
the possibilities of those leds and the buzzer!)
so, anyone out there with any ideas or suggestions??
--
ky1h@berkshire.net or robbins@berkshire.net
http://www.berkshire.net/~robbins/ky1h.html
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