RC2000 dual axis antenna controller

[moonbase]

Hi moonbase, you can get a pc interface for positioning, I need to look more into it, you might find the information useful.
Research Concepts Web Server
https://www.go2mhz.com/SpecSheet_mhz.asp?strPagID=2626&strSolID=9

blademedia,

Yes, you can control the RC2000 from a remote location using the web server add on module. However, both the remote location and the local location need to be on a VPN or a WAN. It does not work unless there is VPN or WAN connectivity at both sites. The web server module does not use TCP/IP protocol, it uses UDP protocol.

They have an online setup available that allows you to logon to a web server module and control it from your local PC.
I have pasted the details below, if you want to test it I will PM you the user ID and password.

http://64.126.122.59/webgui

you can also go into the configuration setting with a /config
http://64.126.122.59/config

Front Panel operation is located
http://64.126.122.59/rcfp


Rgds

 

[blademedia]

Thanks for the information moonbase, i will look into it, its something I will be setting up later in the year, i do use VPN that allows connection of multiple devices, its the point and go I'm more interested in, i don't think this is possible without the interface ?

 

[s-band]

Thanks for the information moonbase, i will look into it, its something I will be setting up later in the year, i do use VPN that allows connection of multiple devices, its the point and go I'm more interested in, i don't think this is possible without the interface ?

There is some PC software which gives some control but I haven't tried it connected to a RC2000. It is clunky but you could use it via a VNC on a PC local to the controller or via a RS232 to IP interface. See "Software" here Research Concepts » RC2000
The web server is silly money (in my opinion) Research Concepts Antenna Control Web Server | Viking Satcom

 

[blademedia]

There is some PC software which gives some control but I haven't tried it connected to a RC2000. It is clunky but you could use it via a VNC on a PC local to the controller or via a RS232 to IP interface. See "Software" here Research Concepts » RC2000
The web server is silly money (in my opinion) Research Concepts Antenna Control Web Server | Viking Satcom

View attachment 104202 View attachment 104203

Thanks G, looks very basic but will look more into it, the interface looks more appealing to me, ive seen it around £400 somewhere in the past, i guess price maybe silly money but i don't see the point in having a 3 grand controller to be getting up to move the dish, it all down to personal preferences.

 

[s-band]

Who has what firmware? Mine are RC2000X V1.9ut--k 2005
Has anyone got the polar version (RC2000C Polar)?

+---------------> Major Version number
| +-------------> Minor Version number
| | Major.Minor versions to data ..
| | 1.0 – original release, August, 2002
| | 1.2 – Remote Status Query does not activate Remote mode.
| | 1.4 – added keystuff/display reflect, track menu mods and edit
| | track table, tracking enhancements
| | 1.6 – optional support for x band operation and mod to allow
| | step track only operation
| |
v1.4 0 u t - - k > ‘k’ indicates support for the remote serial port keystuff and
     | | | | | display reflect feature. This allows a remote user to operate
     | | | | | the controller as if they were at the controller. This gives
     | | | | | a remote user access to all controller functions. ‘-‘
     | | | | | indicates that the controller does not support this feature.
     | | | | |
     | | | | +---> Special Software Identifier: Either a '-' or one of the
     | | | | following: … ‘x’ for C,K,X band tracking, if ‘x’ is not
     | | | | present the software supports C,K,L band tracking.
     | | | |
     | | | +-----> Output Bit: '-' for no output bit function, 'x' for the
     | | | the xmit_inhibit case, 's' for the speed_bit case.
     | | |
     | | + ------> Tach based slow speed system: '-' for no slow speed
     | | PWM, 't'for PWM support.
     | |
     | +---------> Sat List: 'w' for west, 'e' for east, 'p' for pacific,
     | 'u' for euro, 'a' for asia, '-' compile error
     |
     +-----------> Sub Version number: 1.4x, where ‘x’ equals '0' for azel,
      ‘1' for polar, '2' for el/az, '3' for DDT, '4' for the
       Prodelin 3.8

 

[blademedia]

I will have to power mine up to check, waiting for the polar Eprom being delivered.

 

[blademedia]

Following on from PM, what programmer do we need G ? might be worth buying on and doing it ourselves
EPROM Programmer: Electrical & Test Equipment | eBay

Edit
From PM we need this one
New PCB5.0E Universal EPROM pic flash mpu Programmer+27C256 / 27C512 for car E10 | eBay

 

[moonbase]

Who has what firmware?

I have two of these units, one has X model on the rear panel plate and powers up as an X model. The other has C on the rear panel plate but powers up as an A model. I took the lid off to see what was going on inside and it has a HPPOL chip in it. Some of these units were updated after market with different firmware to that indicated on the rear panel label. I think the HPPOL version I have was used to power one of the rotational feeds such as a Seavey?

Rgds

 

[moonbase]

Following on from PM, what programmer do we need G ? might be worth buying on and doing it ourselves
EPROM Programmer: Electrical & Test Equipment | eBay

Edit
From PM we need this one
New PCB5.0E Universal EPROM pic flash mpu Programmer+27C256 / 27C512 for car E10 | eBay

Good idea, especially knowing the prices Research Concepts charge for their products.

I have never understood the difference between the Az/El version, El/Az version and Polar versions of the firmware, can one of the gurus please explain this to me? I grasp the fact that for a polar mount the polar firmware should be in the RC2000. What version would need to be in an RC2000 if it was used with a Jaeger 1224 H-H motor with the elevation actuator either above the top motor plate or below the entire motor unit?


Rgds

 

[blademedia]

Just guessing it might be how it controls TLE/whatever information it uses, obviously AZ/EL will move in a different way to polar ?

 

[Anonymous_1]

Who has what firmware? Mine are RC2000X V1.9ut--k 2005
Has anyone got the polar version (RC2000C Polar)?

+---------------> Major Version number
| +-------------> Minor Version number
| | Major.Minor versions to data ..
| | 1.0 – original release, August, 2002
| | 1.2 – Remote Status Query does not activate Remote mode.
| | 1.4 – added keystuff/display reflect, track menu mods and edit
| | track table, tracking enhancements
| | 1.6 – optional support for x band operation and mod to allow
| | step track only operation
| |
v1.4 0 u t - - k > ‘k’ indicates support for the remote serial port keystuff and
     | | | | | display reflect feature. This allows a remote user to operate
     | | | | | the controller as if they were at the controller. This gives
     | | | | | a remote user access to all controller functions. ‘-‘
     | | | | | indicates that the controller does not support this feature.
     | | | | |
     | | | | +---> Special Software Identifier: Either a '-' or one of the
     | | | | following: … ‘x’ for C,K,X band tracking, if ‘x’ is not
     | | | | present the software supports C,K,L band tracking.
     | | | |
     | | | +-----> Output Bit: '-' for no output bit function, 'x' for the
     | | | the xmit_inhibit case, 's' for the speed_bit case.
     | | |
     | | + ------> Tach based slow speed system: '-' for no slow speed
     | | PWM, 't'for PWM support.
     | |
     | +---------> Sat List: 'w' for west, 'e' for east, 'p' for pacific,
     | 'u' for euro, 'a' for asia, '-' compile error
     |
     +-----------> Sub Version number: 1.4x, where ‘x’ equals '0' for azel,
      ‘1' for polar, '2' for el/az, '3' for DDT, '4' for the
       Prodelin 3.8

Mine is RC2000C AZ/EL '2006 V2.70e" Sept 2009

 

[moonbase]

Just guessing it might be how it controls TLE/whatever information it uses, obviously AZ/EL will move in a different way to polar ?

I assume the TLE would be used for the auto-tracking functionality to keep a lock on inclined orbit satellites. This functionality is not present in all models of the RC2000 range, I think only the "C" and "X" models have the option to auto-track up to 5 inclined orbit satellites. The other models are dual axis but I am not sure what they would use a TLE table for as they do not offer auto-tracking?

Rgds

 

[s-band]

I have two of these units, one has X model on the rear panel plate and powers up as an X model. The other has C on the rear panel plate but powers up as an A model. I took the lid off to see what was going on inside and it has a HPPOL chip in it. Some of these units were updated after market with different firmware to that indicated on the rear panel label. I think the HPPOL version I have was used to power one of the rotational feeds such as a Seavey?

Rgds

Do you mean chip or board? Is it one of the PLDs (programmable logic devices) that have the labels in a large type face? The RC2KHPP is the high power polariser driver card. Any chance of a highish res pic, please? Mine is here https://www.satellites.co.uk/forums/attachments/rc2k_innards-jpg.99349/ you can see the version number on the EPROM and mine does not have either type of Seavey polariser card fitted.

I have never understood the difference between the Az/El version, El/Az version and Polar versions of the firmware, can one of the gurus please explain this to me? I grasp the fact that for a polar mount the polar firmware should be in the RC2000. What version would need to be in an RC2000 if it was used with a Jaeger 1224 H-H motor with the elevation actuator either above the top motor plate or below the entire motor unit?


Rgds

I would have thought that the orientation of the elevation motor on the 1224 just changes the direction?

I presume that the different versions are needed for the different calculations needed for AZ/EL vs Polar etc. It probably also has differences to make the inclined tracking algorithm work.

Attached is a note on inclined tracking and a table of the differences. Only the A & X can have the web server and the X doesn't have the pulse servo driver enabled. So, BM, you can't have the web server with the polar option (C) as far as I can tell.

 

[blademedia]

Obviously I will contact them before I make any purchase but according to this it will work with any unit

 

[blademedia]

The RC2KHPP is the high power polariser driver card. Any chance of a highish res pic

Mine here G

 

[moonbase]

RC2000 board pics uploaded. The MOTODRV number is 4, compared to other board pics with MOTODRV3, not sure what that relates to? Also, it looks like I have an additional board in my "A" model? I have not yet taken the lid off the "X" model to compare.












Rgds

 

[s-band]

RC2000 board pics uploaded. The MOTODRV number is 4, compared to other board pics with MOTODRV3, not sure what that relates to? Also, it looks like I have an additional board in my "A" model? I have not yet taken the lid off the "X" model to compare.

The MOTODRV chips are PLDs interfacing between the 82C55 peripheral interface & processor to the motor drive. No idea what the difference is, maybe a close spec comparison may help. By the date codes, your A is 1997 vintage compared to BM's & mine which are 2006ish so, unless it's been changed, they are not later versions of PLD. Your A has a different version of the smaller PLD, RC2KH on mine vs. RC2KE on yours. Difficult to know if that is due to age or processor firmware version.

The extra board is an RC2KHPP high current rotating feed driver (page 115 of V1.4 manual). You only need something like this 4 Port C and Ku Band Motorised Feedhorn | Av-Comm to make use of it;-) I think that board can be used in any version and is enabled by the normal menus (I have the option in my X)

Has anyone tried the "Expert Access" code printed in the manual (page 81)? Mine has the access bit set so is unlocked. I'm not tempted in case I lock it. Is it the same code for all RC2K with any firmware?

 

[moonbase]

...By the date codes, your A is 1997 vintage compared to BM's & mine which are 2006ish so, unless it's been changed, they are not later versions of PLD...

The date of manufacture of my "A" model is 2002. My understanding is that a historic version of the firmware is required to cope with the HPP board. I think the unit had the firmware rolled back to allow the unit to work with the HPP board?


Rgds

 

[s-band]

Maybe they keep old stock of components, the design is quit old and many bits used have been obsolete for a long time and are hard to find. I'm not sure about the roll back being for that board as my V1.9 has the ability to drive it. 20o2 ties in with the V1.4 manual date.

 

[moonbase]

Maybe they keep old stock of components, the design is quit old and many bits used have been obsolete for a long time and are hard to find. I'm not sure about the roll back being for that board as my V1.9 has the ability to drive it. 20o2 ties in with the V1.4 manual date.

The HPP option was not compiled after RC2000A vers 1.7x, so I think that any recently manufactured unit to be fitted with an HPP board has to have firmware rolled back to that version or previous?

Its not an option I would use so I will probably sell the RC2000 with it fitted as an RC2000A with HPP board.

Its the X or C unit I wanted so in the end I bought another one from Andrew, thats how I ended up with two units. The first one was with C on the rear plate but turned out to be this morphed unit with C on the rear plate but A firmware and the HPP board. I got Andrew to flash up the next one to make sure the firmware agreed with the rear panel plate model.

Rgds