[TowerTalk] M2 RC2800PX modification to control a Prop Pitch Rotor?

[Andre VanWyk]

Stan,

Very interesting and I see you can actually use them without connecting them to a PC, so this is good alternative too.

I will Email you off list with some questions.

73
NJ0F



From: Stan Stockton 
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2013 12:27 PM
To: K7LXC at aol.com 
Cc: TowerTalk at contesting.com ; kr5dx at yahoo.com 
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] M2 RC2800PX modification to control a Prop Pitch Rotor?


I have a Green Heron controlling the prop pitch on my 40m Yagi and have had it for about 7 years.  It is a very nice control box.  I had several other prop pitch rotators that I wanted to also control but did not want to spend so much money to have four of the Green Heron Controllers.   


I bought three EA4TX ARS-USB units.  You have to supply the voltage for whatever rotator you are using.  The units will connect to the computer via USB and include a program or you can use one of several contest logging programs. 


After buying three of these units (two that I connected to prop pitches and one for a Tailtwister) we made a deal with EA4TX to distribute his product in the US and Canada.  There are two models - one for Azimuth and one for Azimuth and Elevation for those who want to do EME or Satellite.  


I have since moved all the rotators control boxes to one side of the room and they are connected to a computer that is networked with all the other computers.  It is really nice to be able to turn any antenna from any computer by typing in a heading or call sign prefix.  The EA4TX box will work with any rotator that uses voltage feedback from a potentiometer.  The Green Heron will work with either a potentiometer or pulses from a reed switch with a magnet mounted to the motor shaft.   


My honest evaluation is that if I were going to only have one control box and was not going to connect it to a computer, I would prefer the Green Heron because of the knob on the front.  However, If I were connecting it to a computer and the position was to be determined via a potentiometer in the rotator, I would prefer the EA4TX box because of price.    


Stan, K5GO


check them out at www.cycle-24.com



On Sat, Mar 30, 2013 at 12:08 PM, <K7LXC at aol.com> wrote:

  >  I did not start digging into this very deep yet, but I own  3 RC2800PX
  controllers that are spare and also own 2 prop pitch rotors with  outdated
  control boxes.

  >  I know M2 sells a control box for prop pitch rotors , and  was wondering
  if anyone on the list ever converted a RC2800PX to be used with a  prop
  pitch?


      Do not buy the M2 controllers. They are  devices that only the designer
  could love. They are not user friendly. Better to  get a Green Heron. They
  work great!

  Cheers,
  Steve    K7LXC
  TOWER TECH


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