Keep us posted on your project. Looks very interesting and original. I've been researching on an easy and economical solution to track the satellites. Something that I can attach an Arrow or an Elk ant mounted on a tripod in my backyard. 73s
I imagine a less beefy rotor could be used to reduce build cost. Something like a Yaesu G450A which is about $280. As a reference the G-5500 Az/EL combo rotor runs about $750. A nice system but pretty expensive.
Yes, a less beefy rotor could do the job, but this is what I had. Also, the G450A uses an AC motor, and the G-800 uses a DC motor. I have found it much easier to control the speed of DC motors to enable slow start and slow stop functions.
@@AE0MT Mike, I had a few views of your videos. I am about to use a Kenpro KR-800 as an azimuth only rotator for HF work, using the K3NG control software. I note that the KR-800 is equivalent to the GS-800 (just re-branded I think) and it has 24V DC motors (I see your power supply was set to 24V). I was interested in what you were using to switch that DC to the motors. Plus, how did you go with using the built in potentiometer (in the rotator) to provide feedback on azimuth position? 73 Fred VK2WS
Mike, I like how you use the Adafruit boards as feedback for the k3ng rotator controller. I'm currently building out a k3ng controller using a Teensy 3.2, and I would like to incorporate your feedback system. Did you make any changes to the K3NG code base for the Adafruit boards? Are your code change available? I noticed the I2C interface board is purple, is it an OSHPark board? If so, did you happen to share the design so I can grab a couple from OSHPark - or, perhaps you have them available for purchase? -Freeman, N5FPP
I hate to reply to myself, but I looked closer at OSHPark and noticed the project was shared under your old callsign. I ordered three boards for $18. I love OSHPark. For others who may be interested in the masthead sensor board, it can be found at: oshpark.com/shared_projects/pktpYo9q
I made some minor tweaks to the code to incorporate the LSM303 sensor, and at one point, some of my code changes were rolled up into the main branch of the K3NG code. It has been a minute since I have worked with any of the code, so I don't know what has changed lately. You figured out that the board is OSHPark, as are most every board I have made. As for a parts list, I get all of my parts from DigiKey, and I am happy to provide the parts list I used at the time. Please email me for this list.
Why do you need the GPS at the antenna? Why do you need a GPS at all, unless you are using this in the field at different locations, in which case, why not put the GPS at the main computer that is running everything? No matter, it is still a super cool project. I was think of doing something similar with the inclinometer and I ordered a couple, but they are out of stock!! Great project.
I want to say I used a 10pf cap, more as a buffer than anything. You may not need one. Email me at zryder94@gmail.com, and I would be happy to provide you with a parts list for this and the other parts of the system.
Other circuits I found using this chip and the data sheet suggested a 1uF. That's what I went with and it worked fine. It looks like it is needed. My Teensy 3.2 would not see the the LSM303 until I put the cap in. I suspect it was needed for the initial in rush of power to the LSM303 on power up.
