Scott E. Olitsky wrote:
>
>I would be interested in getting information from anyone who is using an
>actuator arm from a Satellite Dish to elevate an antenna system. I am
>trying to figure out how I can read out the length of the arm and where it
>is pointing
>
>Scott
Almost all moonbounce operators are using satellite screw-jacks, because
they are so much stronger and better value than sidewise conventional
rotators.
The readout methods vary a lot, depending partly on the position
transmitter in the screw-jack (gear-driven pot or repeating reed
switch). Three examples are:
1. An old multi-channel RX including a dish controller, with the
controller part pre-set to channels 0-90 (degrees). This obviously needs
a compatible position transmitter on the screw-jack.
2. With a pot readout, either a voltage or resistance meter with a
conversion chart. It's also possible to plane the geometry so that a
voltmeter readout is very nearly linear (reads low at both ends of
travel, high in the middle, but always closer than about 2 degrees).
3. An independent pot on the antenna, with a plumb-bob. This can give
accurate linear readout but is subject to wind effects and/or vibration.
A Wheatstone bridge arrangement is a favorite for potentiometer readout,
because you can adjust the zero and span independently.
There are some ideas, pictures and links on the Moonbounce part of my
web site - in particular see G4ZHI's system.
73 from Ian G3SEK Editor, 'The VHF/UHF DX Book'
'In Practice' columnist for RadCom (RSGB)
http://www.ifwtech.demon.co.uk/g3sek
--
FAQ on WWW: http://www.contesting.com/towertalkfaq.html
Submissions: towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests: towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems: owner-towertalk@contesting.com
Search: http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm
|