And while everyone else is typing directions on their computer keyboard
to control their antenna, rotor, etc... I'll work the DX and move on to
another station ... using my fingers on the tuning knob and my foot on
the keying pedal .. and my PENCIL writing in the logbook .......
Ahhhhhhhhhh ... modern technology ... Pffffffft
Don
N8DE
Jim Lux wrote:
At 11:16 AM 2/19/2004 -0800, N6KJ wrote:
Yes, one could imagine this, but I would propose something that I believe
would be even better (and would serve other useful purposes). I would
propose that the SteppIR team provide an API by which you could control
the antenna from your PC. All of the adjustments you suggest could
be done using a PC based program and then given to the controller to
change
the antenna. This could potentially reduce the cost of the controller,
allow for 3rd party development of new "features", and would allow
for remote control of the antenna (something not possible today).
Rather than an API (which implies some software running on a host, and
calling sequences, etc. that would have to be managed), why not use
serial communications...
Some simple fixed width or comma delimited format, terminated by CR
EL,1,330<cr>
sets element 1 to 330 cm long
Or, even, raw "stepper clicks" for position.
You could also have some "readback" type commands:
EL1?<cr>
or higher level functions:
FLIP<cr>
PRESET,5<cr>
BAND,40<cr>
You could then write some software driver that would expose a callable
API (or embedded activeX or .NET or CORBA or whatever the interface
d'jour is)
Heck, if you just had the interface replicate pushing the buttons on the
front panel it would be useful.
On a general note, I think this kind of functionality should be in ALL
microprocessor controlled widgets these days. Antenna rotators, relay
boxes, antenna tuners. I wish antenna tuners had it, for instance, so
that you could manually control L and C)
Given that you might want to remote control these sorts of things over
many feet of wire, RS-232 is probably not the best interface, though.
20 mA current loop? RS422? Open collector switches with optos.
One could pattern the protocol after those used in IEEE488. Easy to
parse, easy to understand, etc.
Jim, W6RMK
_______________________________________________
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any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
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_______________________________________________
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