[TowerTalk] Computer Control of a TIC Ring

[Leeson]

A problem we have with our TIC ring is that the big gear isn't exactly 
concentric, and it often skips a tooth or two in the wind. This offsets 
the pot, making it vulnerable to running up against the end and being 
damaged. So we can't count on the pot, and are hoping to find a way to 
adapt either a Hall-efect tooth counter for the ring gear, or an 
inexpensive electronic compass sensor.

Over the years we have damaged the coax by going beyond the rotation 
limits when the pot is messed up (we use RT-21s with limits, but that 
relies on the pot), and are intending to install IP67 limit switches as 
well. We also need limit switches for our prop-pitch installations, just 
to be sure we have redundant physical limits.

Open to any indicator suggestions, and suggest not to rely only on the pot.

Dave, W6NL/HC8L

On 4/14/25 9:35 PM, George Skoubis wrote:
> Chris,
> 
> If you’re looking for something inexpensive try the “Simple rotator
> interface V” from remoteqth.com
> 
> Looks like it reads the resistance of your TIC Ring pot and will need
> a power supply to provide the DC to your TIC Ring motors.
> 
> They are 98 Euros without a control panel but controlled via PC.
> 
> I use a 4O3A Rotator Genius for my TIC Ring and M2 Orion but with the
> sensors it costs 800 Euros to control both so it doesn’t meet your
> affordable criteria.
> 
> I looked at your KM7W page on QRZ and saw a few products from
> remoteqth so you know they do make stuff that works…. It may not have
> awesome documentation but it’s not really expensive.
> 
> 73,
> 
> George / W7GES
> 
>> On Apr 14, 2025, at 7:31 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV <lists at subich.com>
>> wrote:
>> 
>>  Roll your own with this project:
>> 
>> <https://github.com/k3ng/k3ng_rotator_controller>
>> 
>> If the TIC uses a pot for direction, it should be an easy 
>> implementation.
>> 
>> 73,
>> 
>> ... Joe, W4TV
>> 
>>> On 2025-04-14 10:11 PM, Chris Hurlbut wrote: I am looking for an
>>> economical way to control TIC rings from the PC. The goal is to
>>> get the control boxes off of the operating desk. I really like
>>> the ERC offered by the guys at Vibroplex, but I don't see TIC 
>>> compatibility listed. Controlling rotators is not
>>> complicated...surely there is some cross compatibility with
>>> something? RT-21's are nice, but outside of my price range. I
>>> don't see the EA4TX boxes having TIC compatibility also, but it
>>> is possible they do.  Cheaper than RT-21's at least. Any ideas? 
>>> Thanks! -Chris KL9A
>> 
>> 
>> 
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