Re: [Hamlib-developer] Hamlib supported rotators

[Andrej F. <an...@fa...>]

Hi Nate, thanks for your response - please see below, in-lined;



> > I am looking for an antenna rotator, with the following characteristics:
> >
> >    1. can be controlled/scripted from Linux command line (Hamlib)
> >    2. for use with WiFi antennas, so not very heavy/large or too
> expensive
> >    (hopefully > 200$)
> >    3. connects directly to RS232 or USB port for control
> >
> > I was looking at the "Hamlib supported rotators" page, but it seems that
> > most of what is there listed as supported are not rotators, but some kind
> > of interfaces that then control the rotators themselves? (please excuse
> the
> > uninitiated if this is how it's done, or was done once upon the time :-)
>
> That is true, the earliest interfaces were developed seperately from the
> rotors as the rotor control boxes did not allow for any sort of computer
> control.  Hams drove this market, especially in satellite communications,
> and
> manufacturers came around later with their own control interfaces.
>

Are you aware of such a rotor/interface combination that is controllable
with hamlib?


> > BTW, controllers/interfaces that require a separate card to be installed
> > INSIDE of the PC is not an option, as I use a laptop. So even if I HAVE
> to
> > buy an additional interface, it will have to be an external (RS232, USB)
> > device.
>
> I think that the Hamlib supported rotor interfaces are all RS-232.


Would that work with RS-232 to USB converters? (Very few laptops - if any -
still have RS232)


> Most of these ham radio rotors
> will be overkill for your application, but the light duty TV type of rotors
> don't support computer control.
>

That was my impression too - WiFi antennas are lite and small. It would be
mad to spend more on an electric motor with few wires then on the PC itself.


Can I hope to find such a combo below say 500$ or am I completely off the
mark?



> "The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all
> possible worlds.  The pessimist fears this is true."
>

Brilliant!

Cheers,
Andrej Falout