[TowerTalk] Alfaspid control box?

[VE6JY Don Moman]

I imagine you are looking for a circular indictor or meter movement to
display the beam heading.  For myself I am very glad to have the precise
degree readout and not have to use the old style of indicator, plus all the
associated problems with them - like pots going intermittent or open.  Since
the AlfaSPid control unit counts pulses it would be not a simple task to
convert any other box to that, since the types you mention all use a
variable resistance in the rotor to indicate position.  For experimenters, a
PIC processor that counted pulses and displayed the result as a DC voltage
would at least let you use a meter movement. Then how to display the total
720 degrees (360 plus 180 either side of overtravel) becomes a bit messy.

The functions of the "mouse" however can easily be duplicated by a few
resistors and switches built into the housing of your choice. The wiring
info can be made available if it hasn't already.  The mouse style is just a
convenient and inexpensive way to provide this.  I feed  the mouse DB-9
connectors thru a 4 way computer switch box to reduce the number of mice
running around on the desktop and have the actual control boxes up fairly hi
and in a spot not that convenient to reach.  Having enough space within arms
reach is always an issue for me so not taking up valuable realestate with
large control boxes is a big plus for me.

73 Don
VE6JY

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rich Hallman - N7TR" <rich at n7tr.com>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2004 5:24 PM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Alfaspid control box?


Has anyone successfully converted one of the other Yaesu, Create,
Hy-Gain .. etc control boxes to work with the Alfaspid Rotor?

I love the rotor....But just am not much of a fan of the control box or
the mouse that is used for presets.

Thanks...
Rich