[Moon-net] Tracking Software Synthesis for Jamesburg

[Pat Barthelow]

Hey Folks!

We are progressing right along,  in fixing the physical plant of the 
Jamesburg Dish, towards getting it on the air for EME.  Initially on 1296.  
This brings us to our next major task, that of a hardware/software interface 
to drive the dish.  The dish, in its previous life was quite sedentary,  
pointing for years at a  geo synchronous bird; one of the Intelsats over the 
Pacific.  It has a very powerful VERTEX-RSI  model 7210  tracking/drive 
computer, but no native program for Moon tracking.   A 7210 
operations/programming manual is located at:

http://www.longandflatsociety.com/Default.aspx?tabid=473

Pictures of the dish, and work parties, can be seen at:

http://www.longandflatsociety.com
Click on Galleries; Jamesburg;  then any of the picture folders.

The tracking firmware and drive system can be controlled a number of ways, 
through one or more, of a number of serial ports,  accessing a command line 
user interface.  Or,  drive control could be acquired more simply, through 
an analog control voltage, running from -10 to +10 volts,  driving the dish 
in magnitude and direction,  same for each axis.   Feedback information of 
current position is available through high resolution resolvers,  and serial 
data output.

Any external or remote custom control program would benefit from the 
sophisticated control and safe movement parameter firmware already in the 
Vertex RSI computer.

We are eager to quickly get up and running and don’t want to re-invent the 
wheel, so welcome ideas for an interface from anyone who has experience in 
large dish control systems.   Perhaps a great College Student Senior Project 
for a basic control system, and higher level project as sophistication 
grows.     So I welcome feedback… contact us:
Tnx, 73, de Pat, AA6EG  aa6eg at hotmail.com
Jamesburg Earth/EME Station.

73, DX, de Pat AA6EG aa6eg at hotmail.com;
Skype: Sparky599
Moon or Bust!--Jamesburg Gang Rides Again!