Cushcraft traps repairing.

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TC trapI used the Cushcraft A3 et A4s yagis and soon or later, problems are appearing..
Here are the results of my investigations and repairing technic, that can be applied to other models and trades as well.
What is described here applies to a A4s triband antenna, but the reasoning can be made for any multi-band yagi or vertical.

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Universal K3NG rotor interface PCB

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Description of a PCB, also called "shield" allowing to build a universal rotator interface based on the K3NG software. Only the AZIMUT function is supported.
This PCB has been thinked to be used either with a LCD display or an Ethernet shield to allow a remote usage via IP, and for a rotator using a variable resistor for the azimut value .  (HAM IV or CD44 in my case)

K3NG pcb nakedThe board includes :
- a 5V/1A regulator
- a header to plug an Arduino UNO and an Ethernet shield
- a HE10 male connector for to LCD display with a ribbon cable 
- a 5 pin DIN connector (+ ground shell) to connect the rotator control box
- 2 connectors for the "Clockwise" and "Counterclockwise" pushbuttons
- a multi-turn ajustable resistor VR2 for the azimut calibration
- an ajustable resistor VR1  for the LCD contrast
- 3 transistors for the CW, CCW, and BRAKE commands (open collector outputs)

I still have some naked pcb boards left. If interested, please feel to contact me.

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The GR20 - Planning & advices

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atmos vignette

The GR20 is a mythical long distance hiking trail that crosses the island of Corsica diagonally, from Calenzana in the North, to Conca in the South. 

The 200km trail follows the granite backbone of mountains that divides the island in two, many of which soar above 2000m altitude.  The GR20 is the best and toughest long distance hike in Europe ! 

I made my first GR20 in 2011 and promised myself to make it again with my son for my 60th birthday. So in 2017, i planned it and here are few advices. We made it in 10 days.
If you find this anything of helpful, please leave a post..

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K3NG rotator via Ethernet

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K3NG pstrotator

While building up my remote station, i was looking for a solution to control one or 2 azimuth only rotators via the Internet.

There are several solutions and i finally adopted the K3NG rotator project i already used for a rotator controller connected via USB to my computer.
An Arduino compatible Ethernet shield must be plugged in the Arduino. The Ethernet shield is based on the chip W5100 and compatible with an Arduino UNO.
I'm currently using the universal interface I've developped. See this article.

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HAM IV computer interface "à la K3NG"

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To be finished...
Some years ago, i developed my own rotator interface with a PIC 18F452. In a need of another interface, i was unable to find my software sources of this project, lost somewhere in the computer Walhalla ! So, i looked for a finished project to build, and found the K3NG Arduino rotator project.

It looked very complete and having some recent experiences with the Arduino, i decided to give it a try.

What i needed :

  • Only azimuth drive
  • 2 lines LCD display (as i had several of them)
  • Eventualy 2 buttons CW + CCW to drive the rotator
  • Running on an Arduino Uno (as i had several)

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