Overview

The W2DRZ Antenna controller system is a low cost but effective system to monitor and control an antenna system's position. It features a 16F877 PICC processor chip with nonvolatile memory to hold program instructions and configuration settings. It interoperates with four different kinds of sensors to read the antenna position for azimuth and elevation. The controller is normally used by connecting to a PC via a serial data link. The PC runs a program to interact with the controller, sending and receiving position and control information. A setup and test program is supplied with the controller to allow configuration and calibration as well as testing. The controller can track heavenly bodies by interacting with several popular tracking programs:

The F1EHN Tracker
Northern Lights Nova program
MoonSked by GM4JJJ
SatScape by Scott Hather
TrakSM by W4SM

There are several safeguards built into the controller to help prevent antenna system damage in case something goes wrong. If the antenna fails to move when commanded to, the controller will stop the motion motors and refuse new motion commands until the problem is resolved and the controller has been reset. If a reverse motion command should be received while the antenna is in motion the controller will stop the antenna for a short time before engaging the opposite direction. The user can configure the operation of these safeguards to suit his needs. And if communications with the Setup or tracking program are lost for more than 2 seconds the controller will stop antenna motion.

Operates on 12 VDC with on board regulator
Can supply +12 or +5 volts to encoders if needed
A/D conversion for use with potentiometer readouts on board
Interface for US Digital A2 absolute encoders on board
Interface for various incremental (pulse type) encoders on board
Interface for binary switch type encoders (16 bits) on board
A/D decoder for measuring signal levels or any other voltage value
Standard DB9 serial interface connector to connect with PC
Built in loss of movement safety monitor and shutdown
Built in stop motion timer to prevent antenna whiplash
Automatic shutdown in case of loss of communication
Readout accuracy to less than .1 degree with appropriate encoder
Can accept an external LCD display to provide PC'less position readouts
Comes with Setup program to configure, test, and calibrate
Open collector transistor driver outputs to control your relays
Microprocessor is socketed for easy replacement with updated firmware

**Firmware and Software Upgrades**
4/17/2004 - CT-1 Firmware version 1.02 ane DrzCom v 1.04 8/03/2004 - DrzCom version 1.05 12/15/2004 - CT-1 Firmware version 1.05 Below is a list of enhancements or additional capability provided by these upgrades: Allow setting minimum rotation point instead of requiring a min of zero. Motor speed control when starting. Control program DrzCom.exe can act as a DDE client, allowing more programs to control the CT-1 (Nova in DDE mode and SatScape). When working in DDE mode the control program shows current antenna position, and desired position requested by tracking program. Improved configuration screens in DrzCom for setting up tracking programs and calibrating antennas. Tool Tips for most all fields and controls in the DrzCom program. Add support for the TrakSM tracking program (version 1.05). Fixed some bugs that caused the controller to occasionally stop tracking (Firmware version 1.05) See the Control Program page for details on usage of the DrzCom program. See the Download Page to obtain the DrzCom program and for information on determining what firmware version you have. To upgrade your firmware, you have two options. If you can program a PICC then you may contact us at W2DRZ for the Hex file which we will send you via email at no charge. Otherwise you may order a replacement PICC with the new firmware for $30 plus shipping (see the Order page).