A problem we have with our TIC ring is that the big gear isn't exactly
concentric, and it often skips a tooth or two in the wind. This offsets
the pot, making it vulnerable to running up against the end and being
damaged. So we can't count on the pot, and are hoping to find a way to
adapt either a Hall-efect tooth counter for the ring gear, or an
inexpensive electronic compass sensor.
Over the years we have damaged the coax by going beyond the rotation
limits when the pot is messed up (we use RT-21s with limits, but that
relies on the pot), and are intending to install IP67 limit switches as
well. We also need limit switches for our prop-pitch installations, just
to be sure we have redundant physical limits.
Open to any indicator suggestions, and suggest not to rely only on the pot.
Dave, W6NL/HC8L
On 4/14/25 9:35 PM, George Skoubis wrote:
Chris,
If you’re looking for something inexpensive try the “Simple rotator
interface V” from remoteqth.com
Looks like it reads the resistance of your TIC Ring pot and will need
a power supply to provide the DC to your TIC Ring motors.
They are 98 Euros without a control panel but controlled via PC.
I use a 4O3A Rotator Genius for my TIC Ring and M2 Orion but with the
sensors it costs 800 Euros to control both so it doesn’t meet your
affordable criteria.
I looked at your KM7W page on QRZ and saw a few products from
remoteqth so you know they do make stuff that works…. It may not have
awesome documentation but it’s not really expensive.
73,
George / W7GES
On Apr 14, 2025, at 7:31 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV <lists@subich.com>
wrote:
Roll your own with this project:
<https://github.com/k3ng/k3ng_rotator_controller>
If the TIC uses a pot for direction, it should be an easy
implementation.
73,
... Joe, W4TV
On 2025-04-14 10:11 PM, Chris Hurlbut wrote: I am looking for an
economical way to control TIC rings from the PC. The goal is to
get the control boxes off of the operating desk. I really like
the ERC offered by the guys at Vibroplex, but I don't see TIC
compatibility listed. Controlling rotators is not
complicated...surely there is some cross compatibility with
something? RT-21's are nice, but outside of my price range. I
don't see the EA4TX boxes having TIC compatibility also, but it
is possible they do. Cheaper than RT-21's at least. Any ideas?
Thanks! -Chris KL9A
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