As I mentioned before, the Alfa Spid will not correctly
support north centering even in semi-automatic mode, AFAIK.
I don't see how a software writer can overcome this problem
in automatic mode by clever programming. Does your controller
work correctly in semi-automatic mode?
You can get most control programs to *sort of* support north
centering by checked the "reverse mounted" box and then programming
the Alfa Spid controller so it indicates north when the antenna
is pointed south. This works OK from the computer, but now the
front panel of the Alfa Spid controller reads 180 degrees off.
Did you figure out a way to make it read correctly?
If you try to set the Alfa Spid to a range of -180 to +180, it
interprets -180 to 0 as overtravel. If you then give it a
command in semi-auto or auto mode to go to any heading in this
range, it goes to 0 and stops. Is there a fix for this?
Rick N6RK
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com]On Behalf Of Julio Peralta
> Sent: Monday, September 25, 2006 4:46 AM
> To: 'Richard (Rick) Karlquist'; 'Bill Turner'; towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Alfa Spid rotator
>
>
> The author of the LOGic8 logging software wrote a north centered driver
> for the AlfaSpid rotors at my request. Works just like a Hy-Gain under
> computer control. I have 2 AlfaSpids here and am very satisfied since I
> have them operating in north centered mode. I also believe you can set
> electronic stops with the control box to keep the rotor from traveling
> past south either CW or CCW.
>
> Julio, W4HY
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Richard (Rick)
> Karlquist
> Sent: Sunday, September 24, 2006 2:48 PM
> To: Bill Turner; towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Alfa Spid rotator
>
>
> I have successfully rotated my SteppIR for several years
> with an Alfa Spid. It has many good points. The one major shortcoming
> is that the controller box does not support north centered antennas, and
> it does not support DCU-1 protocol. If you read the manual, you might
> think that it supports north centering and DCU-1, but it does not
> actually support them. The prognosis for getting the control box
> firmware fixed is not good.
>
> I recently did a lot of research on alternate controller boxes and
> discovered that the Idiom Press and EA4TX boards definitely do NOT
> support any rotator with a reed switch instead of a pot. The Green Heron
> controller in this month's QST possibly supports the Alfa Spid, but it
> is not clear that it supports the full DCU-1 protocol. The owner of
> Green Heron was unable to verify that when I asked about it. That is
> not a problem unless you are going to controller the Green Heron from a
> computer program that expects full DCU-1 like LP-rotor.
>
> If I have any of my information wrong, someone straighten me out. I have
> already spent too much time on this.
>
> Rick N6RK
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
> > [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com]On Behalf Of Bill Turner
> > Sent: Sunday, September 24, 2006 10:23 AM
> > To: towertalk@contesting.com
> > Subject: [TowerTalk] Alfa Spid rotator
> >
> >
> >
> > I'm looking for a new rotator to bottom-mount in my 80 foot tower. I'm
>
> > leaning toward the Alfa Spid. I especially like their simple control
> > system.
> >
> > I know all rotators have pros and cons, but are there any "gotchas"
> > with the Alfa Spid? Anything not immediately apparent that I'd be
> > sorry for later?
> >
> > The reviews in eham.com are mostly good except for one poor chap who
> > couldn't get anything to work right. :-)
> >
> > All advice appreciated.
> >
> > 73, Bill W6WRT _______________________________________________
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > TowerTalk mailing list
> > TowerTalk@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> >
> >
> _______________________________________________
>
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