AZEL_Satellite Antenna Rotator - Tracker

thingiverse

*Updated 2/27/2021 This is a small Antenna Rotator for the Ham Radio Arrow Antenna that is commonly used for Satellite communication. Mostly 3D Printed. Very cheep and easy to make. The original was made in ABS. I have now printed all the parts in PETG and it appears to work well. Please see the video on Youtube: https://youtu.be/u9zFE48awh8 My version uses bluetooth to communicate to my computer and is compatible with the Yaesu GS-232A protocol (sort of). I will post more about the electronics at a later date. I just wanted to get the 3d models up. The Trackarmknob is designed so you can rotate the antenna 90 degrees for polarization. The arrow antenna has a 1/4-20 thread in the handle under the grip. Mine did anyway. Just be careful.. don't thread in too far and break the duplexer (if you have one). Print all parts Print 2 of the bearings. (I did not create the bearings.) Print 2 of the clips Print 2 of the collars Print 2 of the bearing housing. The counterweight is optional. Use whatever you like. I used airsoft bbs for counter weight. Hardware: 2X Nema17 stepper motors. 1X M8x63mm hex head bolt. 1X M8 nut 1X M8 Nylock Nut 2X washers for M8 2X 608 Skate bearings. 18X .375 steel ball bearings. 1X M3x12mm screw 7X M3x6mm screws 2X M3 Nuts Counter Weight: 1X 3/8-16x12" threaded rod. 4X 3/8 Nuts 2X Washers Electronics: I purchased the items below and am currently working on an off the shelf version. I will post more when complete. 1X Arduino Uno R3 1X CNC shield for Uno 2X A4988 Stepper sticks 1X HC-05 bluetooth module. 2 resistors per HC-05 instructions. Optional Additional items: -file to round corners if gears don't mess great -sand paper to smooth out thrust bearing Screw driver wrench or pliers to tighten bolt. Electronics for my personally created one: I used an adafruit trinket pro for the electronics. I used 2 A4988 stepper sticks to drive the Nema 17 stepper motors. If you want bluetooth, then get yourself an HC-05 bluetooth module. I built my own board. However, other ideas would include an Arduino Mega and a ramps board. I have also seen an Arduino Uno and a CNC hat for the stepper sticks. This could be a very low cost easy solution for the electronic portion. Older videos during the development: https://youtu.be/S-LF6aIzVtU https://youtu.be/G9kMHPowKk0