Semi / Auto rotator heading control ...

[J85K]

I have just finished installing the LOG4OM v1.18.1, and was excited by the new PTT function in the software interface. I works fine in my installation, although I'll most probably default to manual foot switch activation.

But, I did make me think about a feature that I could really use, when I have a tower and directional beam up.

1) The LOG4OM software is able to find my position (subject to correction that this feature already exists) on the map and read and display my current rotator heading in my advertised Grid Square location. Perhaps an arrow-head.

2) When I enter a call-sign in the logger and prior to 'capturing' the QSO, the program will give me the option to turn the antenna to that listed Grid square location. This can be on a manual or automatic mode. For instance, if I call DX to Australia, the responding stations will not need a large rotator heading change to be spot on.

3) As a by-product, some hams may be encouraged to figure out their correct Grid Square location. Or, maybe; there is an opportunity for LOG4OM to provide an AUTO grid Square locator function.

Can this fly?

Maybe a lot of work for Daniele and the rest of the development team.

What do you guys think?

73.

Kumar_J85K

[IW3HMH]

Hi Kumar, we already have an integration with PSTRotator that does this work.
To rotate your beam (provided you have PST Rotator installed) simply click on the beam value indicated in the bottom right part of the main screen or use the rotator menu in the top button bar.

I'm missing something in your request?

[J85K]

Hi Kumar, we already have an integration with PSTRotator that does this work.I'm missing something in your request?

Hi Daniele_IW3HMH,

1) Don't yet have a rotator in use; but will probably use the Yaesu 800 model shortly. How difficult is it to provide support for rotators other than the PST unit?

2) The world map on LOG_4_OM provides a visual beam heading from your location to the DX / other station. I was envisioning that the line would incorporate a pointing arrow head for added definition, and that LOG4OM would provide a manual select / fully automatic function feature (as you enter the station call-sign) to rotate your beam onto the DX station's advertised Grid Square location, prior to clicking the 'ADD' button to complete and log that QSO.

3) Functionality in (2), depends on the Grid Square locator for every station being accurate. Can / is LOG4OM interested in creating an application to automatically calculate it based on say your IP address or any GPS available device.

[G4POP]

Hi Daniele_IW3HMH,

1) Don't yet have a rotator in use; but will probably use the Yaesu 800 model shortly. How difficult is it to provide support for rotators other than the PST unit?

To support one rotator we must support all and PSTRotator does this job perfectly already

2) The world map on LOG_4_OM provides a visual beam heading from your location to the DX / other station. I was envisioning that the line would incorporate a pointing arrow head for added definition, and that LOG4OM would provide a manual select / fully automatic function feature (as you enter the station call-sign) to rotate your beam onto the DX station's advertised Grid Square location, prior to clicking the 'ADD' button to complete and log that QSO.

Already works like this with PST rotator and provides selection of short and long path

Functionality in (2), depends on the Grid Square locator for every station being accurate. Can / is LOG4OM interested in creating an application to automatically calculate it based on say your IP address or any GPS available device.

When a locator is not listed by lookup Log4om and PSTRotoator use the prefix to set the geographic location and point the rotator to that location

Very few stations provide an IP address or GPS data so this would not provide anything better than we already have

I can't understand why you would not want to use PSTRotator ?

[J85K]

Hello Terry_G4POP,

Ignorance is bliss! "PST Rotator" is a software interface for many different units.

I see Yaesu DXA on its list of supported units.

Thanks,

Kumar

[F4BPO]

Hi Kumar,

For info I am using the Yaesu radio with the Yaesu cable plugged from radio to Yaesu G1000 DXA and PST Rotator and no issue to control the rotator with PST and Log4OM it works great.

[VK7XX]

If my memory is correct... and if often is not, but, isn't 'pst rotator' a commercial product ??? (last time I llooked at it, which was some years ago, I thought it was).. If it (still) is, then a free rotator control program would be nice, to fit in with free Log4om.. And on that, I notice that the new N1MM contest logger has a very small rotator control prog. only 109 kb. Maybe this can be linked in to Log4om...

John

[G4POP]

John,
Yes there is a charge for PSTRotator but it's only about £15.00, the problem with rotator control is similar to rig control, there is a different protocol for each rotator an there are many different rotators!

[VK7XX]

John,
Yes there is a charge for PSTRotator but it's only about £15.00, the problem with rotator control is similar to rig control, there is a different protocol for each rotator an there are many different rotators!

only about £15.00... as a pensioner, £15.00 equates to around $30 aussie... while this might seem insignificant to some, to me..... well, I wont rant, except to say I would prefer a free one.

[IW3HMH]

If someone can make some tests on Hamlib Rotator (free/open) and found it's working well i can add (in a future) a support for that.