[TowerTalk] Computer Control of a TIC Ring

[Richard Thorne]

Dave,

The 4O3A Rotor Genius would be a good solution.  I have one and it has 
the ability to control two rotors.  In my case a prop pitch and a M2 
Orion.  The setup uses a magnetic sensor and does not require a pot or 
hall effect switch.  I have two, one for each rotor.

I understand that a Green Heron RT-21 can be fitted with a magnetic 
sensor.  That would be a question for Jeff, W2FU, to answer in more detail.

I installed the RG this past summer and its been solid.  I had a K7NV 
RT-21 on the prop pitch but after high winds I was always having to 
recalibrate as the rotating tower would move.  Not a big deal, but it 
had to be done.  The magnetic sensor always gives the correct heading 
and does not need to be recalibrated after high winds.

Rich - N5ZC

On 4/15/2025 7:45 PM, Leeson wrote:
> 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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