[TowerTalk] Rotor Presets

[alsopb]

Dick,

You could perhaps HB something using a BASIC stamp II.  It has real
world inputs and outputs.  For example, it has a POT command which
extracts a pot reading or resistance reading.  That could be the basis
for your presets or non-preset settings.  This unit has 16 I/0 lines
so there are enough to drive motor relays and allow for a dozen
presets.  Interestingly enough, if you later wanted to computer
control it, the chip can used one of the I/O lines as an RS232
interface.  The RS232 commands are built-in.  

I've played with this stamp chip and it is quite easy to program.  If
you have the algorithms necessary to determine which direction to go,
given your present location, it would be duck soup.

How does the HD73 know where it is?  Does it have a meter or
potentiometer in the mast unit?

The chip is $59 and the programming software can be downloaded. 
Documentation is also available on the internet.

This is something I've been wanting to play with for awhile for a
different reason.  I'd like to use it to slave two rotors.

73 de Brian/K3KO 

Dick Green wrote:
> 
> 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
> 
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