Does anyone have recommendations for a Antenna rotor Interface?

LarryF

I was researching antenna rotor interfaces and have found several of them pricing from $100 to several hundred.  I am open to all recommendations.  Just don't want to purchase one that is going to give me trouble down the road (or coax).  I am using Yaesu 2800DXA at this time and need to interface with logging and Flex 6.5k.  May change Rotor at a later time.  Thank you all in advance.

Larry ke2yc

Ken - NM9P

I have a Yaesu G800DXA  (note the suffix DXA, which is different from the S or SDX)
It has a built-in 6-pin DIN jack already wired.

For this rotor, I purchased the ERC-Mini DX  (Easy Rotor Control)  from http://easy-rotor-control.com/     (There is also a ERC-Mini SDX for the 800SDX rotator, and other models for different rotators, too.)

The ERC-Mini DX was pre-assembled in a metal box, and has a USB port on one end of the box and a 6-pin DIN on the other, cable included.  Just "plug-and-chug!"

It has its own driver and controller software, but after configuring it with the ERC utility, I usually just let PstRotor control it.  another excellent program!

Total cost of the ERC-Mini last year was 99EUR,  about $106 (US) after the exchange rate from Deutschmarks.  PstRotor was about $36.

Now I can control it from many different logging programs, and even remotely with PstRotor's TCP Server or web server.  It makes remote operation a cinch!

I wouldn't be without them.

Ken - NM9P

ctate243

Long user of ERC here.  have had great luck at K6LRG, one of the earliest remote hilltops on the air.

Jon_KF2E

I use a Green Heron controller on my Yaesu rotator. It is a great controller with lots of features not available on the Yaesu controller. I alsot has a USB interface and an optional wifi interface. Using the wifi interface you can access your rotor via a web page for remote operation.

http://www.greenheronengineering.com

Jon...kf2e

Bill Axelrod

Larry,

     I use a MDS RC-1 antenna controller for my Yaesu 2800.  It is a poor man's Green Heron, about half the cost.  I control it from the PST Rotator AZ software program.

Good luck...   Bill K3WA

Rick Hadley - W0FG

Another vote for the ERC.  It interfaced beautifully with my 800DXA and HRD Rotator/HRD Log/

Marc Lalonde

look this one work great but have bit of solder to do 

https://remoteqth.com/single-rotator-interface.php

LarryF

Thank you all for the info. will research and make up my mind.  Thank you all again

Larry, ke2yc

Cal N3CAL

I've been using a "Easy Rotor Control"  ERC V4 USB Rotor Control mounted in a YAESU G-450A.  It works great without any issues.   It interfaces well with HRD Rotator/HRD Logbook. 

Cal/N3CAL

EA4GLI

I use EA4TX one. http://ea4tx.com/ars-usb/
I like how easy it is to control remotely.

KY6LA_Howard

I have a Yaesu G2800DXA rotor and a Yaesu GS-232B rotor interface

it works perfectly via DDUTIL and all versions of SmartSDR and all software I have every tried

That said, I would definitely NOT recommend the Yaesu GS-232B interface mainly because

@ $569 it is ridiculously overpriced for just being a digital interface to the analog controller.

If I had to do it again I probably would buy the Green Heron and get rid of the analog controller entirely.

mikeatthebeach .

Only one good thing about the Yaesu GS-232B is it is for Satellite El/Az tracking which is way overkill for HF operators needs
Have both, GS-232B and a Green Heron Unit.
GS-232B for El/Az and Green Heron RT-21D for Az HF work.

Ken - NM9P

Yes, Rick....It is hard to get any simpler than the ERC-Mini DX for the G800DXA...Plug in two cables, run the setup program, and go!  Love it!  and it is only about $106...  (99,00 EUR)

I have been running it with PstRotator AZ for about a year and I hardly ever even TOUCH the Yaesu controller box...except to unplug the cable and shut it off at the end of the day.  

Ken - NM9P

Ria

I use a GHE RT-21 to turn a prosistel PST71D. Probably overkill for your needs but it's a data point. But oh so many features. Ramp up/down, PWM and lots of protection. After ripping cables off the tower and nearly ruining a $2500 rotor with the stock controller I learned my lesson!

ole puschl

Hi Larry

Have a look at this: https://blog.radioartisan.com/yaesu-rotator-computer-serial-interface/

you can easily build a controller yourself. It is great fun and you can save a lot of money too !
I cost me about 50 dollar.

It works beautifully together with my yaesu G 1000 dxc rotor and my log-program: HamRadio DeLuxe 

vy 73 de
Ole / OZ1OP

LarryF

Hi Ole,

I was looking at that and hit a road block in finding most of the info and cost of boards.  I have the Arduino and all components can be had for very low cost.  The display im lost on where to get.  Also the enclosure can be had for very little.

Nice looking unit and great job. 

Larry, ke2yc

ole puschl

HI Larry,

You can find the display on e-bay:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-204-20x4-Character-LCD-Display-Module-HD44780-Controller-Blue-Blackligh...

The bord is just a DIY prototype bord: http://www.ebay.com/itm/5pcs-DIY-Soldering-Prototype-Copper-PCB-Printed-Circuit-Board-70mm-x-90mm-/1...


I forgot to say it also works fine together with N1MM
So Just go for it, Larry

Ole, OZ1OP