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Homebrew satellite control system that can run on sBitx

 

Hi!
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More work following the path that Ashhar suggested.? ?I have also bought an older Icom 810H that has full duplex VHF/UHF.
I'm doing initial experiments on Windows PC, but I have already demonstrated full Doppler shift control of sBitx acting as the 10m transceiver to a transverter, so this can all move to the sBitx....
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GPREDICT re-installed due to better location, tracking any satellite I like.? Does all the trig and doppler MATH
RIGCTLD - previously studied and working; receives tcp/ip commands from GPREDIT? to do doppler shift adjustments of sBitx or Icom radio
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Today:
ROTCTLD -- figured out how to run this on a windows machine.? ?Receives trig output of GPREDICT.? ?Converts (in this case) to Yaesu type rotator commands for Az/ elevation and sends out serial port (in my case, COM4, 9600 baud)
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K3NG Rotator Controller -- I havent made a board for this yet.? ?So I took one of my homebrew WINKEYER ARDUINO simulators, and reprogrammed it using K3NG code to "act like" the controller, handling Az, El controls, reading the CW speed control as if it were an azimuth potentiometer; running the display and activating the "key" and "PTT" to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise.
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The reprogramming of my Winkeyer Arduino appeard to be a huge success.? ?I properly set the pins to run the display, which worked FINE.
It was reading the speed pot as an azimuth reading, and if I pushed "buttons" it would read different elevations.
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ROTCLD happily connected to it at 9600 baud, and the "rotator controller" accepted commands and displayed them.? ?I was not able on the first test to monitor whether it activated simulated motor controls (key output, etc) -- but that will come.? ??
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So huge success here and soon (days, weeks?)? I should be able to lay out a board (many others have done so before me, but some just did crazy wiring between variuous "shields")? ?to put all this in a neat little package with relay outputs, possibly with PWM output (dunno)., to control available rotators for real.??
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73
Gordon KX4Z
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Hooray!? ?I figured out what was causing those "communications errors' that were causing the disconnects.
Using interactive version rotctl (not daemon rotctld) I tested changing to Yaesu 232B instead of Yaesu "generic" and bingo! all the communications errors disappeared and it provided perfect angles.
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When I get time again, I will try simulating "tracking" and I think it will "track" (even though it has nothing it can control).? ? I'll report when I have that done.? ? Maybe tonight.??
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I'm looking at small relay pcbs on Amazon that would save me printed circuit board design work and make it easier to replace the output relays.? ?I read a bit about how AC rotators change direction.? ?Soon I think I can start laying out a board.? ?I'll buy at least one of the relay boards first to get sizes etc.? ??
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Then I have to start putting together rotators in earnest.? ??
Mechanically adept people with a METAL WORKING SHOP would be far better off than me; I only really have wood working abilities.
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But it can be done!? I'll start simple with azimuth first and then add my 2nd rotator and the cool 90 degree gearbox I got from Amazon.
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Gordon KX4Z
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Following your progress with interest!
I built a K3NG controller a couple years ago (azimuth only) and had good results tracking linear birds. Lacking an elevation rotor, I just mounted the antennas at about 20 degrees fixed elevation and was able to work RS-44 and some other on SSB.
I feel your pain on the mechanical side- I too have woodworking skills and tools but am pretty limited on the metalwork side. There are several designs out there that use 3D printed parts, but I have yet to jump into that rabbit hole, although it looks like it could be fun.
I’ve been toying with the idea of repurposing an old TV rotor for elevation and extending my K3NG controller to handle it.
Your experiments with using the SBitX as the IF rig and computer in one is pretty interesting. However, I moved away from transverters for my weak signal VHF+ work a few years ago when I got an Icom 9700, so will probably not go that route. It still sounds like a nice setup though. Good luck with your project!
73 de W0ZF?

On Wed, Mar 5, 2025 at 2:20?PM Gordon Gibby KX4Z via <docvacuumtubes=[email protected]> wrote:
Hooray!? ?I figured out what was causing those "communications errors' that were causing the disconnects.
Using interactive version rotctl (not daemon rotctld) I tested changing to Yaesu 232B instead of Yaesu "generic" and bingo! all the communications errors disappeared and it provided perfect angles.
?
When I get time again, I will try simulating "tracking" and I think it will "track" (even though it has nothing it can control).? ? I'll report when I have that done.? ? Maybe tonight.??
?
I'm looking at small relay pcbs on Amazon that would save me printed circuit board design work and make it easier to replace the output relays.? ?I read a bit about how AC rotators change direction.? ?Soon I think I can start laying out a board.? ?I'll buy at least one of the relay boards first to get sizes etc.? ??
?
Then I have to start putting together rotators in earnest.? ??
Mechanically adept people with a METAL WORKING SHOP would be far better off than me; I only really have wood working abilities.
?
But it can be done!? I'll start simple with azimuth first and then add my 2nd rotator and the cool 90 degree gearbox I got from Amazon.
?
Gordon KX4Z
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Thanks W0ZF!? ?I'm just a beginner.
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tonight I tested the "winkeyer-repurposed-as-a-rotator-controller-wannabe"? with rotctl (interative) and it worked perfectly.? ?I have limited ability to control anything, so I was watching outputs with a VOM.
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Then I moved it to rotctld (daemon) and coaxed Gpredict by putting myself way up in Canada so I could be in the footprint of a satellite.
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It remained engaged and continued to track continuously.? ? So I think the communications works now, the read out works, and to the degree that I have any output I can WATCH, those are working (this is now just code.....)
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I ordered two little "relay sets" that have optocoupler separation and enough relays that I can make the quivalent of DPDT to reverse the polarity of power sent to a DC motor.? ?Now start working on a PCB and potentially at least aximuth control to start with.
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Thanks to Ashhar and others for all the help.? ?Peoiple have put a lot of work into documentation elsewhere and it was hugely helpful to me.
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73
Gordon KX4Z
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OK, I have a 2nd Draft of a K3NG-type rotator minimalist controller based on the K3NG code (which will need some small adjustments).
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Using Arduino Nano as the microcontroller
2 phono plug jacks to control external relay board to reverse direction of DC motor type rotators (like Yaesu G450DC or my homebrew elevation rotator)
2 photo plug jacks to provide potentially PWM 12V to motivate the DC motor in the rotator (don't need huge speed)
2 stereo 3.5mm jacks to allow input from angle-sensing potentiometers
1 two-line LCD display to show important data
4 manual buttons to allow manual azimuth or elevation control
LCD is mounted on the backside, along with the buttons; Arduino and other electronics on the "front" side that goes "down" in the box.
Power it with 13-13.8VDC; polarity protection via series diode.??
(I forgot to put in diode protection on the MOSFET outputs....I'll add that!)
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This will get some review for a few days from me and then go to pcbway.com for first boards.? ? ?
Simultaneously I have a nascent elevation rotator coming about very inexpensively.
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Gordon KX4Z

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