Manuals+

GS-232B Computer Control Interface for Antenna Rotators

Brand: Yaesu

Model: GS-232B

General Description

The GS-232B provides digital control for most Yaesu antenna rotators directly from the serial port of an external personal computer. It features its own microprocessor, a 10-bit analog-to-digital (A-D) converter, and EEPROM. The asynchronous serial line can be configured for data rates from 1200 to 9600 baud. The GS-232B includes a DB-9 male connector for connection to the computer's RS-232C COM port. A "straight" type serial cable with the correct gender and pin configuration is required.

The firmware supports direct keyboard control or commands from specific software programs (not supplied by Yaesu). It allows reading and setting antenna angle and rotation speed, and includes clocked positioning routines to automatically step the antenna through up to 3800 angles at programmable intervals, useful for tracking band openings or satellites (with an elevation rotator).

Compatibility Note: When installing with a G-400, G-500A, or G-550 rotator and the GX-500 Automatic Control Adapter, follow the GX-500 manual's procedures before installing the GS-232B.

Supported Rotators include:

Special Requirement: G-400 Azimuth Rotator and G-500A/G-550 Elevation Rotator each require one GX-500 Automatic Control Adapter.

Specifications

General

Semiconductors

Serial Communications

Connector Pinouts

Serial I/O (9-pin DB-9 connector)

Rotator Control (5-pin EL connector)

Rotator Control (5-pin AZ connector)

Supplied Accessories

Available Options

Installation and Connections

A personal computer with serial port and terminal software is required for calibration. Any simple interactive terminal program that can transmit keystrokes and display characters is suitable.

Power & Control Connections

For DXA or DXC Series Azimuth Rotator

1. Connect the supplied DC cable to a 12 VDC source (red lead to Positive, black lead to Negative). The GS-232B requires 70 mA; the supplied cable has a 500-mA fast-blow fuse.

2. Plug the coaxial power connector into the DC 12V jack on the GS-232B rear panel.

3. Connect the supplied Control cable ("5-pin" to "Mini-DIN") between the rotator's EXT CONTROL connector and the GS-232B's AZ connector.

Diagram Description (Figure 1): Shows a DXA or DXC series Azimuth Rotator connected to a computer via a serial cable and to the GS-232B via a control cable. The GS-232B is also connected to a 12V DC power source.

For G-5400B/-5600B Az-El Rotator

1. Connect the supplied DC cable to a 12 VDC source.

2. Plug the coaxial power connector into the DC 12V jack on the GS-232B rear panel.

3. Connect the supplied Control cable ("Dual 5-pin" to "DIN") between the rotator's controller and the GS-232B. Match the "AZ" and "EL" labels on the cable to the corresponding labels on the GS-232B rear panel.

Diagram Description (Figure 2): Illustrates the connection for a G-5400B/-5600B Az/EL Rotator, showing power, serial, and dual control cable connections to the GS-232B.

For G-400/G-500 or G-400/G-550 & pair of GX-500

1. Connect the supplied DC cable to a 12 VDC source.

2. Plug the coaxial power connector into the DC 12V jack on the GS-232B rear panel.

3. Connect the 5-pin to 5-pin cable (supplied with the GX-500; two sets required) between the GX-500(s) and the GS-232B.

Diagram Description (Figure 3): Depicts the setup for G-400/G-500 or G-400/G-550 rotators paired with GX-500 units, showing power, serial, and GX-500 control cable connections to the GS-232B.

For SDX Series Azimuth Rotator

1. Prepare the optional C-1000 Connection Cable.

2. Remove the Top Cover from the rotator controller.

3. Connect the 8-pin connector of the C-1000 cable to the exposed 8-pin connector on the rear left of the controller.

4. Route the 5-pin connector of the C-1000 cable through the rubber grommet on the controller's rear panel and connect it to the AZ connector on the GS-232B rear panel.

5. Replace the Top Cover.

6. Connect the supplied DC cable to a 12 VDC source.

7. Plug the coaxial power connector into the DC 12V jack on the GS-232B rear panel.

Diagram Description (Figure 4): Shows the connection for an SDX series Azimuth Rotator using the optional C-1000 cable, illustrating power, serial, and C-1000 cable routing to the GS-232B.

Computer Connection

1. With the computer switched off, connect a straight RS-232C cable (DSUB-9 pin) to the computer's serial port and the other end to the GS-232B's RS-232C connector.

2. Turn on the computer's power switch, then turn on the GS-232B's power switch.

3. Within 15 seconds of powering on the GS-232B, press the [ENTER] key multiple times to synchronize the GS-232B's baud rate with the computer's baud rate. A successful connection will display "Connect OK."

Rotation Capability Adjustment: For G-400 Azimuth Rotator or G-5400B/G-5600B Az-El Rotator, you can disable the 450° rotation capability by pressing [P36] → [ENTER] on the computer keyboard. To restore 450° rotation, press [P45] → [ENTER].

Calibration Procedures

Calibration ensures accurate positioning. Follow the specific steps for your rotator model.

DXA/DXC/SDX Series Azimuth Rotator

Azimuth Offset Null

  1. From the Controller panel, set the Rotator fully counter-clockwise (to 0°).
  2. Press [0] → [ENTER] on the computer keyboard to start the azimuth calibration routine. The display should show "are you sure?".
  3. Press [Y] → [ENTER] on the computer keyboard. The display should show "Completed," saving the calibration data.

Azimuth A-D Calibration

  1. From the Controller panel, set the Rotator fully clockwise (to the right).
  2. Press [F] → [ENTER] on the computer keyboard to start the azimuth A-D converter calibration routine. The display should show "AZ=aaa" (where "aaa" is a three-digit number indicating azimuth).
  3. Adjust the OUT VOL ADJ potentiometer on the Controller rear panel to display "450" on the computer. This corresponds to the East heading.
  4. Press [ENTER] to exit the calibration routine.

G-400 Azimuth Rotator

Azimuth Offset Null

  1. From the Controller panel, set the Rotator fully counter-clockwise (to 0°).
  2. Press [0] → [ENTER] on the computer keyboard. The display should show "are you sure?".
  3. Press [Y] → [ENTER] on the computer keyboard. The display should show "Completed."

Azimuth A-D Calibration

  1. From the Controller panel, set the Rotator fully clockwise (to the right).
  2. Press [F] → [ENTER] on the computer keyboard. The display should show "AZ=aaa".
  3. Adjust the FULL SCALE ADJ on the GX-500 to display "180" on the computer. This corresponds to the South heading.
  4. Press [ENTER] to exit.

G-5400B/-5600B Az-El Rotator

Azimuth Offset Null

  1. From the Controller panel, set the Rotator fully counter-clockwise (to 0°).
  2. Press [0] → [ENTER]. The display should show "are you sure?".
  3. Press [Y] → [ENTER]. The display should show "Completed."

Azimuth A-D Calibration

  1. From the Controller panel, set the Azimuth Rotator fully clockwise (to the right).
  2. Press [F] → [ENTER]. The display should show "AZ=aaa".
  3. Adjust the OUT VOL ADJ potentiometer on the "AZIMUTH" (left) side of the Controller rear panel to display "180" (corresponds to South heading).
  4. Press [ENTER] to exit.

Elevation Offset Null

  1. From the Controller panel, set the Elevation Rotator to the "left" horizon (down, to 0°).
  2. Press [02] → [ENTER]. The display should show "are you sure?".
  3. Press [Y] → [ENTER]. The display should show "Completed."

Elevation A-D Calibration

  1. From the Controller panel, set the Elevation Rotator to full scale (180°: "right" horizon).
  2. Press [F2] → [ENTER]. The display will show "AZ=aaa EL=eee".
  3. Adjust the OUT VOL ADJ potentiometer on the "ELEVATION" (right) side of the Controller rear panel to display "180" (corresponds to the 180° position).
  4. Press [ENTER] to exit.

G-5500 Az-El Rotator

Azimuth Offset Null

  1. From the Controller panel, set the Rotator fully counter-clockwise (to 0°).
  2. Press [0] → [ENTER]. The display should show "are you sure?".
  3. Press [Y] → [ENTER]. The display should show "Completed."

Azimuth A-D Calibration

  1. From the Controller panel, set the Azimuth Rotator fully clockwise (to the right).
  2. Press [F] → [ENTER]. The display should show "AZ=aaa".
  3. Adjust the OUT VOL ADJ potentiometer on the "AZIMUTH" (left) side of the Controller rear panel to display "450" (corresponds to 360° + 90°).
  4. Press [ENTER] to exit.

Elevation Offset Null

  1. Press [02] → [ENTER]. The display should show "are you sure?".
  2. Press [Y] → [ENTER]. The display should show "Completed."

Elevation A-D Calibration

  1. From the Controller panel, set the Elevation Rotator to full scale (180°: "right" horizon).
  2. Press [F2] → [ENTER]. The display will show "AZ=aaa EL=eee".
  3. Adjust the OUT VOL ADJ potentiometer on the "ELEVATION" (right) side of the Controller rear panel to display "180" (corresponds to the 180° position).
  4. Press [ENTER] to exit.

G-500 Elevation Rotator

Elevation Offset Null

  1. Press [02] → [ENTER]. The display should show "are you sure?".
  2. Press [Y] → [ENTER]. The display should show "Completed."

Elevation A-D Calibration

  1. From the Controller panel, set the Elevation Rotator to full scale (180°: "right" horizon).
  2. Press [F2] → [ENTER]. The display will show "AZ=aaa EL=eee".
  3. Adjust the OUT VOL ADJ potentiometer on the GX-500 to display "180" (corresponds to the 180° position).
  4. Press [ENTER] to exit.

Operation and Command List

Mounting

The GS-232B can be mounted on top of the Rotator Controller using the supplied hook-and-loop fastener strips.

Command Interface

After installation and calibration, the Control Interface accepts commands directly from the keyboard or from specific software. Commands are not echoed, but a carriage return character ("ODh") is returned after each command. Invalid commands result in "? >" being returned.

Angles are in degrees, starting from zero at the most counterclockwise azimuth or horizontal elevation. Angles sent to the Control Interface must be 3 digits long (left-zero-padded).

Command Summary

Commands generally have two versions: one for azimuth and one for elevation. The elevation version is often shown in parentheses.

Azimuth Commands (Horizontal)

Elevation Commands (Vertical)

Mode Setting Commands

Circuit Diagram

The circuit diagram details the internal electronic components and connections of the GS-232B. Key components include the PIC18C452 microprocessor, a 7805 voltage regulator, various resistors, capacitors, diodes, and connectors such as the DB-9 serial port and 5-pin rotator control connectors. It illustrates the power supply, serial communication interface, and rotator control signal paths.

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