Portable Rotor

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Julie proposed making a portable rotor for sat work. It could be used for a field day, tabling, events, and other times when we’re not in the shack. A stationary version could be made for in the penthouse.

Rotor Build[edit]

Early Parts List (Structural)[edit]

  • Hardwood 1"x3"x8'$9
  • Steel corner brace $9
  • Aluminum Round Rod 1" (Axels) $20
  • 1" Hex Nuts $9
  • 1" ID Thrust Bearings $9
  • Small Sprocket $8
  • Large Sprocket $26*2
  • 1" ID normal Bearing $11
  • Drive Chain $15
  • Electronics Box $12

Total: $154

Early parts list (Electrical)[edit]

  • Pi Zero 2w $15
  • Hall Effect Sensor $2
  • Limit Switches $6
  • Drive motor $12
  • Motor drivers: TBD

Price total: ~$35

Code[edit]

The primary coding language is C. HTML will be used for a remote controlled interface. The code will have to be run on an ubuntu/debian based system as it requires access to some specific internal libraries. Currently being coded on VSC (sorry) on a debian 12 build, will be adaptable to Raspberry Pi Zero using Raspberry Pi Os.

Project GitHub

Progress[edit]

  • C library sgp4sdp4 implemented.
    • Takes in user information and TLE and reads out many values including azimuth and elevation.
    • Same library used in gpredict.
  • Web interface still in progress, currently able to serve multiple webpages and take input.
  • No progress on motor control yet.