[CQ-Contest] Logging Software Automation For Antenna Rotators

[Filipe Lopes]

It didnt go trought the first time.


73's Filipe Lopes
CT1ILT - CR6K
F4VPX - TM3M

2017-04-17 18:26 GMT+02:00 Filipe Lopes <ct1ilt at gmail.com>:

> Hi,
>
> At my contest station I am using EA4TX ARS-USB and I never touch the
> rotator boxes. just a simple click on the predefined direction. I dont know
> if screens shots go through but there it goes (if they dont go throught
> just click on the dropbox link):
>
> https://www.dropbox.com/s/g1rzmqqm4iuc2sn/rotators.png?dl=0
>
>
> I am using Prosistel Rotators, PST61 and PST71
>
>
> 73's Filipe Lopes
> CT1ILT - CR6K
> F4VPX - TM3M
>
>
> 2017-04-17 15:29 GMT+02:00 Steve Lott <lottsphoto at gmail.com>:
>
>> Tom W2SC
>>
>> I am really interested in learning more about the app you wrote
>>
>> you may email me off list if your prefer
>>
>> kg5vk at arrl dot net
>>
>> steve
>>
>>
>> http://www.KG5VK.com
>> My Ham Radio Friends
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Apr 7, 2017 at 6:37 AM, john at kk9a.com <john at kk9a.com> wrote:
>>
>> > Perhaps it depends on what controllers you have. Hy-Gain rotators have a
>> > brake and are a pain to turn with the stock controller, especially when
>> > they stick. I have only prop pitch and TIC ring rotators all with Green
>> > Heron controllers. Neither have brakes. It is easy to reach over and
>> turn
>> > the knob to the direction that I want and let the rotator do its thing.
>> > About the only issue is selecting the correct rotator and antenna switch
>> > when sleep deprived. From 8P I cannot imagine that you use the rotators
>> > often.
>> >
>> > John KK9A
>> >
>> >
>> > From:   "Tom Georgens" <tomgeorgens15 at gmail.com>
>> > Date:   Thu, 6 Apr 2017 16:17:18 -0700
>> >
>> > Being able to turn the antennas without having to touch the rotor boxes
>> has
>> > a number of advantages.  As Ken points out, getting the boxes out of the
>> > way
>> > is one.  I found that I would reach for the control box and hold down
>> the
>> > levers (T2X) while I continue to work guys on the radio.  I would
>> > inevitably
>> > overshoot, have my fingers slip off the levers, or hit the limit switch.
>> >
>> > I found the Logging software to not have a useful solution to this.
>> Most
>> > rotor changes are on antennas I am not currently using, in anticipation
>> of
>> > a
>> > band change.   I wrote a small app that lets me configure 6 presets (EU,
>> > US,
>> > JA etc)  I just click on the preset, and the rotor goes there.  The
>> display
>> > will be the beam heading, unless it is within 5 degrees plus or minus of
>> > the
>> > preset, in which case it will display the preset caption.  Typically the
>> > display of the 4 rotors will show something like EU, EU, US and CE
>> instead
>> > of  45, 45, 315, 190.  It is much clearer, especially after being awake
>> > over
>> > 30 hours.  Some other features are offsets in case the mast slipped, and
>> > protection against hitting the limit switches, which can render a T2X
>> > inoperative.  Another feature is a timeout.  I once had a sidemount
>> antenna
>> > slip in the most clamp so it hit the tower on rotation.  The rotor was
>> > trying for 30 minutes to get to its destination.
>> >
>> > This was not an advertisement to sell software.  Just some food for
>> thought
>> > for the logging SW developers
>> >
>> > 73, Tom W2SC
>> >
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>> >
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>