Mar 11

MDS RC-1Y

Posted on March 11, 2010 by jeff

One of the things I’ve always wanted to do is be able to direct the beam antenna via the computer. My choice to go with the Yaesu G-800SA was so-so, although I would have had better options by going with the DXA series. Yaesu makes an RS232 (serial) interface for my rotor, but the cost is in excess of $500. Idiom Press also makes a product called rotor card, which is quite affordable, although does not work with my 800SA. My final option was the MDS RC-1. MDS makes digital rotor controllers for many different types of rotors for approximately $250.

Initially I had a problem configuring mine with my 800SA, but it ended up being confusion on my end. The 800 uses South-stop rather than the older North-stop configuration. You just have to set a 180 degree offset for the bearings to be correct.

MDS’s support is phenomenal. Glen (K4KV) responded back to an email question I had asked within an hour, on a Saturday, during the ARRL DX Phone contest, while he was out of town. He also provided me with a firmware upgrade to apply. Like I said, phenomenal.
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So far I’ve had great success with it, although some of the control software out on the internet is somewhat lacking. First off Ham Radio Deluxe’s Rotator software works fine although doesn’t display any feedback from the rotor. N1MM’s rotator program sets the heading on the RC-1, it just never executes the heading change, even after you press “GO”. Same issue with Win-test.

Now, LP-Rotor works perfect, and an earlier version of PstRotator had the same issue as above, although Codrut (YO3DMU) provided me with an upgrade to 5.14 which works just fine, and it’s network-able as well. This was a huge help when I was up on the roof setting up the Mosley and running the coax around the rotor. My neighbors must think I’m nuts, being up there with the laptop sitting on the chimney.

Feb 23

Almost there….

Posted on February 23, 2010 by jeff

We’re just about ready to do an new antenna installation within the next week or so here at N3QO. This project was a chance in opportunity with everything lining up completely unexpectedly. The Yaesu G800SA rotor just arrived today. I’m still waiting on the mast mount bracket for it and the shipment of replacement parts from Mosley for the beam. Weather permitting I’m planning on the installation next weekend.

Soon the homebrew hexbeam and light duty rotor will be available to the highest bidder. I’m also looking forward to the days when the “large” expenses are over to get this station to where I want it. Almost there!
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Feb 18

A conversion to the conventional

Posted on February 18, 2010 by jeff

A new addition is on it’s way to the N3QO station, a used Mosley TA-33 beam. I’ve been told about Mosley antennas over the course of the last year, but much like the hexbeam, I overlooked it. Probably because I didn’t see them in the magazines or supply catalogs. Most recently after speaking with a local ham on 160m and assuming his beam was a Cushcraft A3S, I was again re-introduced to the Mosley TA-33. From what I’ve been hearing, this particular design has been around 40-50 years and it’s the one design other vendors seem to copy.

So this weekend, we travel down to Maryland to pickup our new addition. It needs a few little parts here and there, but I’m anticipating a large jump in performance from the ever popular hexbeam that graces these pages. Of course I’ll post my findings once the new antenna is installed.

This also creates the requirement to replace the existing TV style rotor with a Yaesu G800SA or better. I’m choosing the 800 as my baseline because of the planned additions to grace the mast that the Mosley is expected to populate.

More updates soon..