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The Las Vegas Boulevard Tracker Interface

The Las Vegas Boulevard Tracker Interface. Howard Long G6LVB. Introduction. A satellite antenna rotator interface For use with Yaesu/Kenpro G5400/5500/5600 series rotators. Topics of Discussion. Why do we need another rotator tracking interface? The Las Vegas Boulevard Tracker.

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The Las Vegas Boulevard Tracker Interface

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  1. The Las Vegas Boulevard Tracker Interface Howard Long G6LVB

  2. Introduction • A satellite antenna rotator interface • For use with Yaesu/Kenpro G5400/5500/5600 series rotators

  3. Topics of Discussion • Why do we need another rotator tracking interface? • The Las Vegas Boulevard Tracker

  4. Why do we need another rotator interface? • Hardware PC interfaces have changed but rotator interfaces haven’t • Kansas City Tracker – ISA slot • Many others use COM ports or LPT ports • USB is a new standard • TCP/IP is now a de facto standard

  5. The ISA Slot/COM/LPT port problem • ISA slots are non-existent in new PCs • COM (RS-232) ports are becoming less common in new equipment, laptops in particular • LPT ports also less common, and also difficult to program control signals from applications under newer OS’s • Lack of interrupts on PCs!

  6. USB – The ‘new’ standard • USB is now very common • Traditionally very difficult to develop USB drivers, so only economically viable for large volumes • Each OS has a completely different driver model

  7. TCP/IP over Ethernet • Almost universal standard • Permits distributed location of equipment

  8. The Las Vegas Boulevard Tracker - 1 • Physical development mostly over past two months • Most of the thought process and initial considerations compiled on vacation

  9. The LVB Tracker - 2 • Provides multiple hardware interface options • RS-232, USB, TCP/IP over Ethernet • Compatible with EasyComm and Yaesu GS-232 software protocols • Integrated on board microcontroller programmer • Optional LCD display and buttons • Cross platform support – Linux, Open BSD, Free BSD, Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, Mac OS-8, OS-9 and OS-X • Open source microcontroller code

  10. Bugs - 1

  11. Bugs - 2

  12. How much? • Basic RS-232: £12+PCB • USB: £17+PCB • TCP/IP Ethernet: £47+PCB • Optional LCD: £10 • Optional Buttons: £4

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