From: Andrej F. <an...@fa...> - 2008-11-22 23:32:46
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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 |