[HCARC] Robotics/ Satellite Tracking Rotator

[Gale Heise]

A number of people responded so I’m going to simply reply to the reflector and please just ignore me if you’re not interested.

First I’d like to thank John Trolinger for providing input previously.  He has a neat satellite tracking system at his place by simply pointing the antennas at 45 degrees and utilizes a Channel Master rotator.  He connects his computer to the rotator via a computer interface and can track the satellites.  I’m trying to see if there is a simple and inexpensive way to obtain elevation control as well as azimuth.

Also, thanks to those expressing an interest in helping me and learning more about robotics.

Today many hams are working satellite stations simply with hand held antennas such as the Arrow 146/437-10WBP.
http://www.arrowantennas.com/arrowii/146-437.html

Here is an example of someone working a satellite with a tripod:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HfvmU_utI8

Attempting to locating the satellite and track it manually is very frustrating as I have found the case through personal experience.  To purchase a Yaesu G-5500 AZ/EL rotator, cable and computer interface box it is expensive ($1,000+) and overkill for a hand held or small array antenna system.

As a result, I started searching the internet for a less expensive alternative with the WRAPS system as one choice.  The first video is by the inventor and the subsequent videos are by a person who actually built the WRAPS system from parts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5Xx6K7tM0Y

Wraps Assembly and Testing – Unless you understand Spanish, skip Video #2
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gntz0d-NQPc
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nze3ZFRupuM
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqTkkQYNYd0
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tFw8tz7WW0
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJOKr1KcVoY

I thought the WRAPS system was on the lightly constructed side and not really meant to be all weather.  It addition, it’s about $300 for the parts.  So I began looking for existing systems that could be adapted.  One idea came to me when I thought about my neighbor who has a tracking system on his telescope and I found this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDTjnJm41mc

Here is a link to purchasing a telescope mount:
https://www.celestron.com/products/nexstar-slt-computerized-mount

It also requires a computer interface:
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_10?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=skyfi+wireless+telescope+controller&sprefix=skyfi+wire%2Caps%2C295&crid=2RZ1O8B4040C6&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Askyfi+wireless+telescope+controller

Again, the price is way more that I want to invest.  Over half of the cost of the G-5500.  So I continued to search for an all weather system and came across a video that I can’t find now.  It was of a fellow utilizing a Defender Security pan/ tilt camera platform.  He utilized the matching controller and manually tracked the satellite.  Here is a heavier duty model built for the weather:
https://www.amazon.com/Defender-Security-82-12440-Outdoor-Heavy/dp/B002MZ8GU2/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1503171732&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=defendersecurity+pan+tilt

There’s a Techno-Geek website called hackaday.io.  On it’s site I found a fellow who purchased the Defender Security 882-12440 and built a controller for it to swing up and down, back and forth to water his lawn.  He has five different files posted showing his progress through the project beginning with a disassembly of the unit to take a look inside:
https://hackaday.io/project/20572-ptsprinkler/log/57784-dissecting-the-pantilt-stage

In addition, here is a video from AE0MT who is utilizing an inclinometer and GPS chip;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE09wMaTUpU

There was another satellite video whereas the fellow was utilizing a stepping motor to obtain feedback on position rather than a potentiometer system as utilized in the WRAPS system.

Here’s where I’m looking for input.  One can purchase the Defender Outdoor Heavy Duty Pan Tilt for about $60.  I believe the fellow who assembled the WRAPS system said the electronics parts were about half the total cost so about $150.  So I’m curious if there is any way to add positioning feedback to the Defender and control it with a computer as with the WRAPS system.  It may mean replacing the motors within the Defender with stepping motors in order to obtain feedback for the positioning system or adding inclinometer and GPS chips as did AE0MT.

It’s a lot to wade through so I’m not offended if people aren’t interested in pursuing.  If you get through it all I’d appreciate your thoughts.

Take care,

Gale
KM4DR