[TowerTalk] Rotor Presets

[Dick Green]

I've got a Tailtwister DCU-1 and the presets are very helpful during
contests. I'd like to add similar capability to my Alliance HD-73
controller. A web search turned up only two possibiites: Sartek or Kachina.
Both offer rotor control only through a dedicated PC COM port. I suppose
that would be OK, but I'd much prefer a preset knob on the rotor box, like
the DCU-1 has (plus, I'd rather not burn yet another COM port.) They also
require either a dedicated ISA slot in the PC (used for power supply only)
or an external power supply (homebrew for Sartek, very expensive for
Kachina). Idiom Press has a reasonably-priced kit for exactly what I want
(manual preset with optional RS232), but it's only available for Hy-Gain
rotors. Does anyone know of a vendor that provides what I want, or know
where I can get instructions for a homebrew mod to the HD-73 controller?

BTW, I'd also be interested in comments from users of the Sartek and Kachina
solutions. Looks to me like the Sartek is the better bet -- same
capabilities, but much cheaper. I don't mind building the external power
supply box to avoid burning a PC slot.

Please reply direct to: dick.green@valley.net

Thanks & 73,
Dick WC1M


--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com