RC2000 dual axis antenna controller

[moonbase]

Certainly way more complicated than a V Box to set up..But once set up, they are a breeze to operate...

Aye, reet good unit, popular with the UK's top men.

 

[Manikm909]

Certainly way more complicated than a V Box to set up..But once set up, they are a breeze to operate...

It arrives tomorrow, should it have a remote with it, how do u configure it for satA, satB, satC and then program its az and el - is it all from the LCD screen?>

 

[scopus]

It arrives tomorrow, should it have a remote with it, how do u configure it for satA, satB, satC and then program its az and el - is it all from the LCD screen?>

'Ere get reading...

 

[scopus]

'Ere get reading...

No remote. All button pressing on the units keypad...using the LCD screen to see the commands...Have fun!

 

[s-band]

@John - did it take you long to get used to it...do you leave your speed on FAST ?

The slow mode uses PWM to vary the speed of the actuators. It can need a bit of tweaking to get it right for your installation. It's more useful for large and or heavy dishes. The speed, together with the over/under run settings, can prevent hunting as the dish reaches its target position.

I use one on an az-el mount. Once calibrated, the RC2k calculates the az-el position based on the first couple of satellites entered. My guess is that if an az-el version is used on a polar mount it works fine but the calculations will be wrong.

Make sure that your pulse rate from the actuator encoder is not too fast and the waveform is good (see manual). If it's too fast, it will miss-count.

 

[scopus]

The slow mode uses PWM to vary the speed of the actuators. It can need a bit of tweaking to get it right for your installation. It's more useful for large and or heavy dishes. The speed, together with the over/under run settings, can prevent hunting as the dish reaches its target position.

I use one on an az-el mount. Once calibrated, the RC2k calculates the az-el position based on the first couple of satellites entered. My guess is that if an az-el version is used on a polar mount it works fine but the calculations will be wrong.

Make sure that your pulse rate from the actuator encoder is not too fast and the waveform is good (see manual). If it's too fast, it will miss-count.

Yes, good point...s-band..I think it works out the speed by how many counts it takes to move the actuator over a set time, 20 secs or something like that? then enter it in the RC2000 setup menu..

 

[pitussat]

Hmm I wonder if this would control my 1224 motor?

As I've had enough of rubbish quality vboxes

I just have 5 or 6 Rc2k

 

[Manikm909]

i havent installed mine yet, need to confirm the wiring - might do it in a mo

 

[Manikm909]

.... still learning to drive this thing with what little time i have but i do like the re-sync feature and also how it retains the elevation setting of a particular stored sat as well which helps if you do not have a 100% arc tracking system, especially for Ka band sats.

View attachment 99398 View attachment 99399

@John what does the RE-SYNC do? my power light is dead, might try and fix it.

 

[scopus]

john what does the RE-SYNC do? my power light is dead, might try and fix it.

The power light in the switch was dead in mine, be careful if you take the switch apart because of the springs inside.
There is a resistor inside which had burnt out in line with a neon ..easier to replace the switch.

 

[7mdish]

@John what does the RE-SYNC do? my power light is dead, might try and fix it.

The resync feature is very helpful if, for any reason, you must move the dish or motor out of RC2000.
For example, if you must to correct the limits after such fixing, or strong winds move slightly the dish, you will have all satellites out of sync. So, you can recall a satellite (the most central one in the arc would be the best), then activate resync option and move all axis to peak the best signal. Done for all sats.

 

[Manikm909]

can you quickly peak \ alter a position after its stored, or do you have to peak, and then store again, over the top of existing position.

also i dont understand why you have to pick V and H - when storing a sat? anyone?

 

[s-band]

Choose one satellite, I usually pick a middle one, peak the signal then select re-sync, then scroll to the satellite you picked, then <enter>. It will then re-calculate as needed for all stored satellites and will display the correct az-el. This assumes that you have set it up with satellites at the ends of the arc. I can't remember but I think I turned the V/H/Skew off so I don't get asked. Mine has RC2000X firmware.

 

[7mdish]

Choose one satellite, I usually pick a middle one, peak the signal then select re-sync, then scroll to the satellite you picked, then <enter>. It will then re-calculate as needed for all stored satellites and will display the correct az-el. This assumes that you have set it up with satellites at the ends of the arc. I can't remember but I think I turned the V/H/Skew off so I don't get asked. Mine has RC2000X firmware.

You can peak also in resync mode, so no need to peak earlier.
I have RC2000A, I use H/V skew so I must peak polarity too.

 

[Manikm909]

thanks!

another question, is it possible to alter just one of the Azimuth software limits without having to go through setting ALL 4 positions (those being Azimuth East and THEN West and THEN Elevation DOWN and UP)

i.e lets say i thought i was at 55w but i was only at 47.5w when i set WEST limit - can i just extend this WEST side limit without having to drive dish all the way to the EAST to set that and then back again?

There doesnt seem to be a skip button - to allow changing just that one limit setting

I cant see where you can turn off H and V polarity when storing a sat - it forces it, have to select H and V even with Polaritor = 0 in CONFIG . When you chose a sat, you have to pick the sat, followed by either V or H (which are the same for m)

 

[John]

thanks!

another question, is it possible to alter just one of the Azimuth software limits without having to go through setting ALL 4 positions (those being Azimuth East and THEN West and THEN Elevation DOWN and UP)

i.e lets say i thought i was at 55w but i was only at 47.5w when i set WEST limit - can i just extend this WEST side limit without having to drive dish all the way to the EAST to set that and then back again?

There doesnt seem to be a skip button - to allow changing just that one limit setting

I cant see where you can turn off H and V polarity when storing a sat - it forces it, have to select H and V even with Polaritor = 0 in CONFIG . When you chose a sat, you have to pick the sat, followed by either V or H (which are the same for m)

Good question, and one i still don't know the answer to

 

[7mdish]

another question, is it possible to alter just one of the Azimuth software limits without having to go through setting ALL 4 positions (those being Azimuth East and THEN West and THEN Elevation DOWN and UP)

Yes it is possible. First of all, AZ limit, EL limit and POL limit are totally independent one from each other.
When in Limit mode, you can move all 3 axis using 4-6 keys (AZ), 2-8 keys (EL), and 1-3 keys (POL). 7 sets AZ limits, 9 sets EL limits, and 5 sets POL limits.
For example, if you want to set only the West limit make this:
1) In Manual mode, move the dish eastern until it stops on the actual East limit (you can view this on the LCD).
2) Go in Limit mode.
3) The LCD asks for East Limit. DON'T MOVE the dish, and press 7. Doing so, the East limit remains the actual one, and the LCD asks for West limit.
4) Now move the dish west (key 6) until you reach the West position that you want to set as limit, then press 7 and, when requested, press BKSP.
As you can see, EL and POL are not changed because you did not press 9 or 5 keys.
Hoping this helps.

 

[Manikm909]

Thank you good man !!!

 

[Manikm909]

Does anyone know, why, after a random amount of time, my elevation axis keeps erroring.....
if i reset it, all is good for x amount of time....then click, gone again....faulty unit? or wiring issue? east to west - no problem.

see attached

 

[John]

Does anyone know, why, after a random amount of time, my elevation axis keeps erroring.....
if i reset it, all is good for x amount of time....then click, gone again....faulty unit? or wiring issue? east to west - no problem.

see attached

I get that symptom when sending the EL jack to it's limit and it stops but i keep the 'Down' or 'Up' keypad button pressed for too long which sends the RC2K into 'Error' mode. A intermiitant pulse signal might send it into fault as well but iv'e never encounted the 'Error' message otherwise than what iv'e described with the over long keypad button press. I just switch off / on to re-set it and it's ok like you say.