Using a motorized telescope mount for working satellites?

KI5RLR · October 2023

I have an Orion Sirius EQ-G motorized 'GoTo' mount collecting dust in my storage unit. I was wondering if it could be used as an entry level positioning and tracking device for antennas. Just curious if it would be more trouble than it's worth, or if someone has lots of experience. Thanks in advance.

73

KI5RLR

Neil D Friedman N3DF · October 2023

I think it’s unlikely that a motorized equatorial mount could move fast enough to track a satellite. Could be wrong.

KI5RLR · October 2023

https://community.flexradio.com/discussion/comment/20606417#Comment_20606417

Good point, I had not thought about that. Here are the specs for this mount. I don't know exactly how fast it would need to move, you may be able to determine from the 'Motor Speeds' listed below.

Tracking rates
Sidereal, Solar and Lunar
Motor speeds
3.4°/sec(800x), 600x, 500x, 400x, 64x, 32x, 16x, 8x, 2x, 1.75x, 1.5x, 1.25x
Motor type
Microstep driven stepper motors
Bearing material
Sealed ball bearings
Power requirement
12-volt DC - 2A (tip positive)
PEC
Yes
GPS
Sold separately
Backlash compensation
Yes
Latitude range
14-70
Setting circles
Yes
Counterweights
Two 11 lb.
Available ports
RS-232, autoguider
Tripod leg diameter
1.75 in.
Counterweight bar length
11 in.
Diameter of counterweight shaft
18mm
Height range of mount
40.00 in. - 61.50 in.
Weight, mount/tripod
32.0 lbs.
Weight, fully assembled
43.0 lbs.
Additional included accessories
Two 11-lb. counterweights
Other features
Dual-width saddle accommodates **** and Losmandy, Adjustable polar scope illumination

Pierre_VE3KTB · October 2023

If I read the listed specs correctly, and it will do 3.4 degrees per second, it will be fast enough. In my experience, most LEO overpasses are in the 8 to 12 minute range from horizon to horizon, and that in round numbers is going to be 10-20 degrees per minute, or something like 0.3 degrees per second at worst.

Does it understand TLEs or can it be driven by software that does?

73,

Pierre VE3KTB

KI5RLR · October 2023

https://community.flexradio.com/discussion/comment/20606449#Comment_20606449

I have found software to control it. https://www.heavenscape.com/

Something I did not think about, which someone on another forum pointed out:

"...one mechanical issue you will have with using an equitorial mount (at least what is known as a German equitorial) for satellite tracking: on this style of mount there is a counterweight used to balance the telescope. That weight needs to stay lower than the telescope. When a German equitorial tracks past the meridian you have to do a maneuver known as "flipping" the counterweight to move the weight to the other side. This is not normally much of an issue if you are tracking something slow (like a star or the Moon), but will be a pain if you are tracking a satellite.

Using a motorized telescope mount for working satellites?

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