Yaesu GS-232B Computer Control Interface for Antenna Rotators

General Description

The GS-232B provides digital control for most Yaesu antenna rotators from an external computer's serial port. It features its own microprocessor, a 10-bit analog-to-digital (A-D) converter, and EEPROM. The asynchronous serial line supports data rates from 1200 to 9600 baud and uses a DB-9 male connector for RS-232C COM ports. A straight serial cable with the correct gender and pin count is required. The firmware supports direct keyboard control or commands from specific software (not supplied by Yaesu). It allows reading and setting antenna angle and rotation speed, and includes routines for automatic stepping through up to 3800 angles at programmable intervals for tracking band openings or satellites (with an elevation rotator). Installation requires careful reading of the manual, especially when used with the GX-500 Automatic Control Adapter.

Compatible Rotators

• G-800DXA, G-1000DXA, G-2800DXA Azimuth Rotator
• G-800DXC, G-1000DXC, G-2800DXC Azimuth Rotator
• G-400 Azimuth Rotator
• G-500A, G-550 Elevation Rotator
• G-5400B, G-5600B, G-5500 Az-EL Rotator

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

Specifications

General

Semiconductors

Serial Communications

Connector Pinouts

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

• Pin 2 - Tx Data
• Pin 3 - Rx Data
• Pin 5 - Signal Ground
• Pin 7 - RTS
• Pin 8 - CTS

Rotator Control (EL connector - 5-pin)

• Pin 1 - UP switch (open collector)
• Pin 2 - DOWN switch (open collector)
• Pin 3 - analog output (0.5-4.5 V, four steps)
• Pin 4 - analog input (0-5V elevation)
• Pin 5 - analog ground

Rotator Control (AZ connector - 5-pin)

• Pin 1 - RIGHT switch (open collector)
• Pin 2 - LEFT switch (open collector)
• Pin 3 - analog output (0.5-4.5 V, four steps)
• Pin 4 - analog input (0-5V azimuth)
• Pin 5 - analog ground

Supplied Accessories & Available Options

Supplied Accessories

• Control cable for the Azimuth Rotator ("5-pin" → "Min-DIN" cable) - 1 pc
• Control cable for the Az/EL Rotator ("Dual 5-pin" → "DIN" cable) - 1 pc
• DC cable w/coaxial plug - 1 pc
• Hook & loop fasteners (for mounting) - 1 pc

Available Options

• GX-500 Control Adapter
• C-1000 Connection Cable (for SDX series Azimuth Rotator)
• NC-72B/C/F/U AC Adapter (Suffixes indicate voltage: "B" for 117 VAC, "C" for 220-240 VAC, "F" for 220 VAC, "U" for 230 VAC)

Installation

General Requirements

Installation requires a personal computer with a serial port and terminal software. This software is used to calibrate trimmers on the controller and interface, and to transmit keystrokes and display received characters.

Power & Control Connections

DXA or DXC Series Azimuth Rotator

Connect the supplied 12 VDC cable (red lead to Positive (+) DC terminal, black lead to Negative (-) DC terminal). The GS-232B requires 70 mA; the supplied cable has a 500-mA fast-blow fuse. Plug the coaxial power connector into the GS-232B's DC 12V jack. Connect the supplied "5-pin" → "Mini-DIN" control cable between the rotator's EXT CONTROL connector and the GS-232B's AZ connector. (Refer to Figure 1 for connection diagram).

G-5400B/-5600B AZ-EL Rotator

Connect the supplied 12 VDC cable. Plug the coaxial power connector into the GS-232B's DC 12V jack. Connect the supplied "Dual 5-pin" → "DIN" control cable between the rotator's controller and the GS-232B, matching the "AZ" and "EL" labels on the cable with the same labels on the rear panel of the GS-232B. (Refer to Figure 2 for connection diagram).

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

Connect the supplied 12 VDC cable. Plug the coaxial power connector into the GS-232B's DC 12V jack. Connect the 5-pin to 5-pin cable (supplied with the GX-500; requires two sets) between the GX-500(s) and the GS-232B. (Refer to Figure 3 for connection diagram).

SDX Series Azimuth Rotator

Prepare the optional C-1000 Connection Cable. Remove the top cover of the controller. Connect the 8-pin connector of the C-1000 cable to the exposed 8-pin connector on the controller's rear left. Route the 5-pin connector of the C-1000 cable through the rubber grommet on the rear panel and connect it to the GS-232B's AZ connector. Replace the top cover. Connect the supplied 12 VDC cable. Plug the coaxial power connector into the GS-232B's DC 12V jack. (Refer to Figure 4 for connection diagram).

Computer Connection

With the computer switched off, connect a straight RS-232C cable from the computer's serial port to the GS-232B's RS-232C connector. Turn on the computer, then the GS-232B. Within 15 seconds of switching the GS-232B's power, press the ENTER key several times to match the GS-232B's data baud rate to the computer's. A "Connect OK." message on the computer's display indicates successful setting of the data baud rate.

If you are using a G-400 Azimuth Rotator, or G-5400B/G-5600B AZ-EL Rotator, press [P36] → [ENTER] on the computer keyboard to disable the 450° rotation capability of the GS-232B. To restore 450° rotation capability, press [P45] → [ENTER] on the computer keyboard.

Calibration

DXA/DXC/SDX Series Azimuth Rotator

Azimuth Offset Null

From the Controller panel, set the Rotator fully counter-clockwise (set to 0°). On the computer keyboard, press [0] → [ENTER] (the letter "oh," and "ENTER") to activate the azimuth calibration routine. The computer display should show "are you sure?" Press [Y] → [ENTER] ("Y" and "ENTER") on the computer keyboard. The computer display should show "Completed," and save the calibration data and exit the azimuth calibration routine.

Azimuth A-D Calibration

From the Controller panel, set the Rotator fully clockwise (to the right). On the computer keyboard, press [F] → [ENTER] ("F" and "ENTER") to activate the Control Interface's azimuth A-D converter calibration routine. The computer's display should show "AZ=aaa," where "aaa" is a three-digit number indicating the azimuth heading in degrees. Adjust the OUT VOL ADJ potentiometer on the Controller rear panel so as to get a reading of "450" on the computer's display. This reading ("450 degrees") corresponds to the actual beam heading you established when you pointed the azimuth rotator to the East. Press [ENTER] on the computer keyboard to exit the azimuth A-D converter calibration routine.

G-400 Azimuth Rotator

Azimuth Offset Null

From the Controller panel, set the Rotator fully counter-clockwise (set to 0°). On the computer keyboard, press [0] → [ENTER] (the letter "oh," and "ENTER") to activate the azimuth calibration routine. The computer display should show "are you sure?" Press [Y] → [ENTER] ("Y" and "ENTER") on the computer keyboard. The computer display should show "Completed," and save the calibration data and exit the azimuth calibration routine.

Azimuth A-D Calibration

From the Controller panel, set the Rotator fully clockwise (to the right). On the computer keyboard, press [F] → [ENTER] ("F" and "ENTER") to activate the Control Interface's azimuth A-D converter calibration routine. The computer's display should show "AZ=aaa," where "aaa" is a three-digit number indicating the azimuth heading in degrees. Adjust the FULL SCALE ADJ on the GX-500 so as to get a reading of "180" on the computer's display. This reading ("180 degrees") corresponds to the actual beam heading you established when you pointed the azimuth rotator to the South (the fully clockwise setting). Press [ENTER] on the computer keyboard to exit the azimuth A-D converter calibration routine.

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

Azimuth Offset Null

From the Controller panel, set the Rotator fully counter-clockwise (set to 0°). On the computer keyboard, press [0] → [ENTER] (the letter "oh," and "ENTER") to activate the azimuth calibration routine. The computer display should show "are you sure?" Press [Y] → [ENTER] ("Y" and "ENTER") on the computer keyboard. The computer display should show "Completed," and save the calibration data and exit the azimuth calibration routine.

Azimuth A-D Calibration

From the Controller panel, set the Azimuth Rotator fully clockwise (to the right). On the computer keyboard, press [F] → [ENTER] ("F" and "ENTER") to activate the Control Interface's azimuth A-D converter calibration routine. The computer's display should show "AZ=aaa," where "aaa" is a three-digit number indicating the azimuth heading in degrees. Adjust the OUT VOL ADJ potentiometer on the "AZIMUTH" (left) side of the Controller rear panel so as to get a reading of "450" on the computer's display. This reading ("450 degrees") corresponds to the actual beam heading you established when you pointed the azimuth rotator fully clockwise. Press [ENTER] on the computer keyboard to exit the azimuth A-D converter calibration routine.

Elevation Offset Null

From the Controller panel, set the Elevation Rotator to the "left" horizon (down, set to 0°). On the computer keyboard, press [02] → [ENTER] (the letter "oh," "2," and "ENTER") to activate the elevation calibration routine. The computer display should show "are you sure?" Press [Y] → [ENTER] ("Y" and "ENTER") on the computer keyboard. The computer display should show "Completed," and save the calibration data and exit the elevation calibration routine.

Elevation A-D Calibration

From the Controller panel, set the Elevation Rotator to full scale (180°: "right" horizon). On the computer keyboard, press [F2] → [ENTER] (F, 2, and ENTER) to activate the Control Interface's elevation A-D converter calibration routine. The computer will display "AZ=aaa EL=eee," where "eee" is a three-digit number indicating the elevation heading in degrees. For the purposes of this alignment, you may ignore the (azimuth) "aaa" numbers. Adjust the OUT VOL ADJ potentiometer on the "ELEVATION" (right) side of the Controller rear panel so as to get a reading of "180" on the computer's display. This reading ("180 degrees") corresponds to the actual beam heading you established when you pointed the elevation rotator to the 180° position. Press [ENTER] on the computer keyboard to exit the elevation A-D converter calibration routine.

G-5500 Az-EL Rotator

Azimuth Offset Null

From the Controller panel, set the Rotator fully counter-clockwise (set to 0°). On the computer keyboard, press [0] → [ENTER] (the letter "oh," and "ENTER") to activate the azimuth calibration routine. The computer display should show "are you sure?" Press [Y] → [ENTER] ("Y" and "ENTER") on the computer keyboard. The computer display should show "Completed," and save the calibration data and exit the azimuth calibration routine.

Azimuth A-D Calibration

From the Controller panel, set the Azimuth Rotator fully clockwise (to the right). On the computer keyboard, press [F] → [ENTER] (F and ENTER) to activate the Control Interface's azimuth A-D converter calibration routine. The computer's display should show "AZ=aaa," where "aaa" is a three-digit number indicating the azimuth heading in degrees. Adjust the OUT VOL ADJ potentiometer on the "AZIMUTH" (left) side of the Controller rear panel so as to get a reading of "450" on the computer's display. This reading ("450: 360 degrees + 90 degrees") corresponds to the actual beam heading you established when you pointed the azimuth rotator fully clockwise. Press [ENTER] on the computer keyboard to exit the azimuth A-D converter calibration routine.

Elevation Offset Null

From the Controller panel, set the Elevation Rotator to the "left" horizon (down, set to 0°). On the computer keyboard, press [02] → [ENTER] (the letter "oh," "2," and "ENTER") to activate the elevation calibration routine. The computer display should show "are you sure?" Press [Y] → [ENTER] ("Y" and "ENTER") on the computer keyboard. The computer display should show "Completed," and save the calibration data and exit the elevation calibration routine.

Elevation A-D Calibration

From the Controller panel, set the Elevation Rotator to full scale (180°: "right" horizon). On the computer keyboard, press [F2] → [ENTER] (F, 2, and ENTER) to activate the Control Interface's elevation A-D converter calibration routine. The computer will display "AZ=aaa EL=eee," where "eee" is a three-digit number indicating the elevation heading in degrees. For the purposes of this alignment, you may ignore the (azimuth) "aaa" numbers. Adjust the OUT VOL ADJ potentiometer on the "ELEVATION" (right) side of the Controller rear panel so as to get a reading of "180" on the computer's display. This reading ("180 degrees") corresponds to the actual beam heading you established when you pointed the elevation rotator to the 180° position. Press [ENTER] on the computer keyboard to exit the elevation A-D converter calibration routine.

G-500 Elevation Rotator

Elevation Offset Null

From the Controller panel, set the Elevation Rotator to the "left" horizon (down, set to 0°). On the computer keyboard, press [02] → [ENTER] (the letter "oh," "2," and "ENTER") to activate the elevation calibration routine. The computer display should show "are you sure?" Press [Y] → [ENTER] ("Y" and "ENTER") on the computer keyboard. The computer display should show "Completed," and save the calibration data and exit the elevation calibration routine.

Elevation A-D Calibration

From the Controller panel, set the Elevation Rotator to full scale (180°: "right" horizon). On the computer keyboard, press [F2] → [ENTER] (F, 2, and ENTER) to activate the Control Interface's elevation A-D converter calibration routine. The computer will display "AZ=aaa EL=eee," where "eee" is a three-digit number indicating the elevation heading in degrees. For the purposes of this alignment, you may ignore the (azimuth) "aaa" numbers. Adjust the OUT VOL ADJ potentiometer on the GX-500 so as to get a reading of "180" on the computer's display. This reading ("180 degrees") corresponds to the actual beam heading you established when you pointed the elevation rotator to the 180° position. Press [ENTER] on the computer keyboard to exit the elevation A-D converter calibration routine.

Important Note: If your controller's indicator needle starts from a point other than 0° (North) (such as the default setting of the USA version), align the starting point of the controller's indicator needle to 0° (North) before calibration. When finish the calibration, set the controller's indicator needle to the desired point. Refer to the rotator's user manual for details regarding the indicator needle alignment.

Operation

Mounting

If desired, the GS-232B can be mounted on top of your Rotator Controller using the two supplied hook-and-loop fastener strips. Remove the backing from one side of each strip, press into place on the bottom of the GS-232B, then remove the backing from the other side and press the GS-232B into place on the Controller.

General Operation

After installation and calibration, the Control Interface can accept commands entered directly from the keyboard, or from a program written specifically to support it (not supplied by Yaesu). For brief summaries of the commands recognized by the Control Interface, press [H] → [ENTER] for a list of azimuth commands, or [H2] → [ENTER] for elevations commands. Keep in mind that all commands require that the ENTER key be pressed after the command letter (or "ODh" be sent by a control program). Command letters may be sent in either upper or lower case. The info screens shown on the next page will be returned by the Control Interface.

Most commands have two versions: one for azimuth, and one for elevation. Commands are not echoed by the Control Interface, but a carriage return character ("ODh") is returned after every command, and also a line feed character ("0Ah") if the command invoked returned data. Invalid commands cause "? >" to be returned and the input buffer cleared. Note that all angles are in degrees, beginning with zero at the most counterclockwise azimuth (or horizontal elevation). Angles sent to the Control Interface must be 3 digits long (left-zero-padded).

Command List

General Commands

• R: Clockwise Rotation
• L: Counter Clockwise Rotation
• A: CW/CCW Rotation Stop
• C: Antenna Direction Value
• M: Antenna Direction Setting. MXXX (where XXX is angle, e.g., M180)
• M: Time Interval Direction Setting. MTTT XXX XXX XXX (TTT = Step value, XXX = Horizontal Angle)
• T: Start Command in the time interval direction setting mode.
• N: Total number of setting angles in "M" mode and traced number of all datas (setting angles).
• S: All Stop
• 0: Offset Calibration
• F: Full Scale Calibration
• X1: Rotation Speed 1 (Horizontal) Low
• X2: Rotation Speed 2 (Horizontal) Middle 1
• X3: Rotation Speed 3 (Horizontal) Middle 2
• X4: Rotation Speed 4 (Horizontal) High

Elevation Control Commands (for Az-El operation)

• U: UP Direction Rotation
• D: DOWN Direction Rotation
• E: UP/DOWN Direction Rotation Stop
• C2: Antenna Direction Value (AZ=aaa EL=eee)
• W: Antenna Direction Setting. WXXX YYY (XXX=Azimuth, YYY=Elevation)
• W: Time Interval Direction Setting. WTTT XXX YYY XXX YYY ... (TTT=Step value, XXX=Horizontal Angle, YYY=Elevation Angle)
• T: Start Command in the time interval direction setting mode.
• N: Total number of setting angles in "W" mode and traced number of all datas (setting angles).
• S: All Stop
• 02: Offset Calibration
• F2: Full Scale Calibration
• B: Elevation Antenna Direction Value

Other Commands

• C2: Return azimuth and elevation ("AZ=aaa EL=eee", where "aaa" = azimuth, "eee" = elevation).
• P36: Switch the azimuth angle to 360 degree mode.
• P45: Switch the azimuth angle to 450 degree mode.
• Z: Toggle the starting point of the azimuth indicator needle between "N (North)" and "S (South)." This command is ignored when the rotator is set to "450 degree mode."
• Xn: Select azimuth rotator turning speed, where n = 1 (slowest) to 4 (fastest). This command can be issued during rotation, and takes effect immediately. There is no equivalent for elevation.
• Maaa: Turn to aaa degrees azimuth, where aaa is a three-digit number between "000" and "360" or "450" (depending on rotator type). Rotation starts upon execution of the command.
• Msss aaa bbb ccc: This command, together with the [T] command, provides automatic, timed tracking of moving objects or propagation by the Control Interface itself. This command stores the time value sss seconds to wait between stepping from azimuth aaa to bbb, and then to ccc, etc. (from "2" to as many as "3800" angles may be stored with one command). When this command is sent, the rotators turn to angle aaa and waits for a subsequent [T] command to begin the actual stepping. All numbers must be 3 digits, space-separated. Stored values remain in effect until another [M] command is issued, or until the controller is turned off or by toggling the GS-232B off and on.
• Waaa eee: Turn to aaa degrees azimuth and eee degrees elevation, where aaa is a three-digit number between "000" and "360" or "450" (depending on rotator type) and eee is a three-digit number between "000" and "180." Rotation starts upon execution of the command.
• Wsss aaa eee aaa sSS ...: This command is similar to the [M] command: the first parameter is a time interval, and succeeding parameters are angles. With this command, however, angles are in azimuth-elevation pairs, each pair representing one antenna location. At most "1900" pairs can be sent and stored in the Control Interface. The time interval range is limited to "001" to "999" (seconds), azimuth to "000" to "360" or "450" (depending on rotator type), and elevation to "000" to "180." When this command is sent, the rotators turn to the first aaa azimuth parameter and the first eee elevation parameter, and wait for a subsequent [T] command to begin the actual stepping (to the next azimuth-elevation pair). Stored values remain in effect until another [W] command is issued, or until the controller is turned off or by toggling the GS-232B off and on.

Returned by [H] Command:

• COMMAND LIST 1
• R Clockwise Rotation
• L Counter Clockwise Rotation
• A CW/CCW Rotation Stop
• C Antenna Direction Value
• M Antenna Direction Setting. MXXX
• M Time Interval Direction Setting. MTTT XXX XXX XXX --- (TTT = Step value) [XXX = Horizontal Angle]
• T Start Command in the time interval direction setting mode.
• N Total number of setting angles in "M" mode and traced number of all datas (setting angles)
• S All Stop
• 0 Offset Calibration
• F Full Scale Calibration
• X1 Rotation Speed 1 (Horizontal) Low
• X2 Rotation Speed 2 (Horizontal) Middle 1
• X3 Rotation Speed 3 (Horizontal) Middle 2
• X4 Rotation Speed 4 (Horizontal) High

Returned by [H2] Command:

• HELP COMMAND 2
• U UP Direction Rotation
• D DOWN Direction Rotation
• E UP/DOWN Direction Rotation Stop
• C2 Antenna Direction Value
• W Antenna Direction Setting. WXXX YYY
• W Time Interval Direction Setting. WTTT XXX YYY XXX YYY --- (TTT = Step value) [XXX = Horizontal Angle] [YYY = Elevation Angle]
• T Start Command in the time interval direction setting mode.
• N Total number of setting angle in "W" mode and traced number of all datas (setting angles)
• S All Stop
• 02 Offset Calibration
• F2 Full Scale Calibration
• B Elevation Antenna Direction Value

Returned by [H3] Command:

• HELP COMMAND 3
• P45 Set_mode 450 Degree
• P36 Set_mode 360 Degree
• Z Swicth N Center/S Center
• mode 450 Degree (or mode 360 Degree)
• N Center (or S Center)

Circuit Diagram

The document includes a detailed electronic circuit diagram of the GS-232B, illustrating its internal components, connections, and logic pathways. This schematic shows microcontrollers, serial interface chips (such as MAX232), power regulation circuits, and various integrated circuits and passive components that constitute the device's internal electronics.