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Off Air Audio
Topic: Remote Antenna Rotator System

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Posted by Romy the Cat on 08-12-2008

What I what to do it relatively simple. I was thinking to write up my own application that would handle the task but then I figured out that it is 21 century and it should be something like this out there ready to go for a 3 easy payments of $9.95.

Here is what I would like to have:

1)    Send email to my home mails server

2)    By receiving the email D/A processor and tuner turns on

3)    The WaveLab starts record the  D/A’s output feed

To setup evens triggered by email is not so complicated and to have a PC to manage some kind of relay in serial port is not too troubling task as well. However, do exist any out of box software and hardware solution that I can juts buy and to employ for my remote recording objective?

Well, it would be completely cool if I were able to retune my analog tuners via email, to set the right position of antenna via email and to change antenna’s attenuation via email. Still, I have only one station - WGBH -recordings of which might be spontaneous and need to be remote-managed. So, a good email-sensitive device would be very handy as I might leave my recording tuner always fine-fine to WGBH.

I took today a drive home from my work to schedule the Prague Chamber Orchestra performs Janácek's Suite for Strings during the 147th Worcester Music Festival. The broadcast was from Worcester’s Mechanics Hall. I can’t wait to get home today to hear how it was. I would love to activate the recording via email.

Rgs, Romy the Cat

Posted by Romy the Cat on 03-16-2009
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In my search for remote activation of my FM recorders  came across the PS power play solution.

http://www.psaudio.com/ps/products/description/powerplay-8000?cat=power

Did anyone have any practical experience with this thing? Can all internal filtration devised might be disconnected? Does it has essentially only relays in power lines path of it do other things?

The Cat

Posted by Romy the Cat on 03-16-2009
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http://www.instructables.com/id/SLFC6O2FJKGWVUU/

http://www.instructables.com/id/USB-controlled-mini-lava-lamps/

…and eventually: where can I buy THIS:

http://www.everythingusb.com/elecom_t-y12usba_usb_power_bar.html

The Cat

Posted by Romy the Cat on 03-16-2009
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Why the devise like this available ONLY for MAC?

http://www.sophisticated.com/products/powerkey/pkp_650.html

It is not fair!

Posted by scooter on 03-16-2009
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Initially I thought it would be interesting to write up some jazzy code. On second thought that actually gets a bit time consuming once you consider all the parts to get from the internet/email to the USB, especially as all the parts are always being updated. Some of the instructables ideas get you part way.

At a minimum, the remote functionality of the PS Audio is slick although you might not want the PS Audio conditioning running through your equipment, given all the work you have done on that front

This brings up a related note; do you have some power conditioning to protect the PurePower 2000?

Posted by Romy the Cat on 03-19-2009
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Perusing my objective to be able to do FM recording remotely by VPN to my home recording equipment I think I found the last entry that I would like to have. I do not clearly understand if it is exactly what I need but it looks very promising.

What I need is an ability o turns my antenna rotor remotely when I am not home. OK, I VPN to my PC and now I am at desktop of my recorder. I can turn the tuner and D/A on via USB managed power port but now I need to reposition antenna to a right station. So, I need PC managed antenna rotator system.

This European company looks like does that but their explanations in English not eloquent enough

http://www.ea4tx.com/products/index.htm

So, I wonder if any closer to home companies do the similar products.

Rgs, The Cat

Posted by Antonio J. on 03-19-2009
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So I've taken a look at it. You can mount 2 different motors, one to control azimut and other for height. Every single motor costs 595 euros, and having both combined goes to 920 euros. Looks like the control system (PC compatible by RS232 link) is included. The software to run it is downloadable there, and they have Windows, DOS and Linux versions.

It's possible that their system is compatible with other rotors, I've found this compatibility chart:

Rotores Compatibles:

  • Yaesu: G400S, G450A, G500 & G500A (Ele), G650A, G800S, C, SDX & DXA, G1000S,C, SDX, DXA & DXC, G2000S & RC, G2800DXA, G5400, G5500, G5600, etc.
  • Telex/Hy-Gain: HAM-IV, HAM-M, T2X, HDR-300
  • Kenpro: KR-400RC, KR450XL, KR-500(Elevation), KR-600RC, KR.650XL, KR-600RC, KR600S, KR-800, KR-1000, KR-5400 & 5600 (Az&El)
  • Daiwa: DR-7500 series R y X, DR-7600 series R y X
  • ORION: 2300, ...
  • CREATIVE: RC5x-3P, RC5-1, RC5-x series.
  • EMOTATOR: 1105, EV700X
  • EMOTO: 1200 FXX
  • Pro.Sis.Tel: Con todos los modelos y unidad de control "B"o "D"

If you're interested, you can try contacting Pablo García: jpgarcia@interlanco.com who probably can handle in English. Otherwise let me know, I'll be glad helping you on this.

Posted by Romy the Cat on 03-21-2009
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This is ridicules – I can’t for 3 weeks to find any ready to go USB Managed Power Strip that would allow me to turn Tuner, MPX decoder and A/D processor by running remote desktop to my PC. I theoretically can build one myself but it shall be out there ready to use. Can anybody to figure out is those devises do what I need?

http://www.audio-technica.co.jp/products/pc/atc-nf552usb.html

http://www2.elecom.co.jp/products/T-Y12USB.html

http://www.sanwa.co.jp/product/syohin.asp?code=TAP-RE7U&cate=1

Why the mean Japanese have it but we do not?

Is any other serial port, USP devises or PCI cards available that can drive a regular relay?  It shall not be so difficult…

The Cat.

Posted by yoshi on 03-21-2009
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Those are the taps that turns on/off all the components connected to it when your PC is turned on/off. "elecom" thing says production discontinued though.

Yoshi

Posted by scooter on 03-21-2009
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**I think the Insteon $70 controller + optional software will allow you to turn on and off a 120VAC line via internet. The second link has a video and instructions for using the Insteon for a lighting application, and also some software comments

Internet-USB-AC switch
http://www.smarthome.com/2414U/PowerLinc-INSTEON-Controller-USB-Based-Home-Automation-Device/p.aspx

Video of Insteon in action
http://www.instructables.com/id/S4FV196F7DWO0JM/

**These guys have a $250 automated antenna solutions that you might be able to apply. It seems like a small shop that could be convinced to fabricate a solution if their out of the box gear won't work

Antenna control
http://www.mds-ham.com/RC-1-Y-ROTOR-CONTROL.htm

Posted by Romy the Cat on 03-22-2009
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I will call them on Monday and will ask about some customizing that I would like to have, otherwise it looks like very much what I need. Thank you very much.

The Cat

Posted by Romy the Cat on 03-23-2009
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Upon talking with Insteon people I realized that all this devises are X10 devises or something that send commands over the power lines – not something that I would like to do.

The further investigation showed something that was closer to home:

http://www.transduction.com/transduc/trusb.htm

… and in the end I think I hit exactly what I need.

http://www.cpscom.com/gprod/ux3.htm

This is devise that accepts terminal commands and flip the switches. Got one today and can’t wait to put it in use.

The caT

Posted by Romy the Cat on 04-01-2009
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OK, I have successfully resolved of one my need – an ability to  turn my tuner, MPX decoder and A/D processors on via a remote desktop.

I used this piece of hardware that has USB port:

http://www.cpscom.com/gprod/ux3.htm

I used this driver for USB port:

http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm

On my PC I wrote a simple serials port talking application that flips power and get status of each power port outlet.

PCPowerPort.JPG

It works wonderfully. If anyone would need the similar then the serials port talking application is free available.

The Cat

Posted by scooter on 04-01-2009
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Thanks for the update; that is a great little box for $50. There are lots of neat little projects at home it could help out with...

Thanks,

S

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