Hi.. I realize that this post is several years old, but did you ever get around to connecting your KCT board to your rotors?

I've just done this, and it was really pretty easy. I built a relay board using common Radio Shack type parts. I mounted four relays onto a generic
PCB (be sure to use protection diodes across the coils!), one for each direction (up,dn,left,right). I used +12v from my power supply to power the relays - the KCT may supply enough current, but I'd prefer not to try that..

I built the unit into an enclosure, and have two connectors on it. One, a DB25 is for the KCT cable from the PC, and the other is a Centronics connector
which has all of the connections from my rotors.

Basically, when KCT wants to move a rotor, it grounds the corresponding pin (up, dn, left, right). My relays have positive voltage always, and with a ground signal the coil energizes, and the switch is made.

I use a CDE/Hygain Ham II rotor for azimuth, and a Yaesu/Kenpro G500a/KR500 rotor for elevation.

I also mounted four LEDs on my relay box in a diamond shape, and these LEDs also have positive voltage always. When the ground signal is applied, they illuminate. You can easily see what KCT is doing this way.

I just worked my first fully-automated pass last night, and it was a dream come true!

73 and GL,

Kyle Yoksh
K0KN
Olathe, Kansas
Amsat# 35249

Today I encountered one of the worst cases of bad Amateur Radio practice that I've ever seen.
 
As you may know, today, July 4, 2006 was a very important day for our manned space program. The Space Shuttle has not
been launched in about a year, and my family and I were looking forward to hearing the shuttle audio transmissions as retransmitted
by the Goddard Amateur Radio Club - http://garc.gsfc.nasa.gov/
 
I tuned in to one of the published frequencies (14.295 MHz) at approximately 1:15 pm Central time, shortly before the
launch was to take place. Two amateurs were rag-chewing on frequency, and periodically made comments about some
perceived QRM (Goddard ARC).
 
About 5 minutes before launch, I broke in and asked if they would please QSY off the published shuttle audio frequency,
and one operator (N1CH) replied that "I might let them hear some of the broadcast" and "We were on this frequency first".
 
Unfortunately, I did not have recording equipment available. I hope that someone else did.
 
While N1CH may have had the frequency first, no-one owns an Amateur frequency. Our ham licenses entitle us to a great privilege, but
along with the license comes a great responsibility to be a courteous operator. I tuned around 20 meters and heard scant activity, so it
would not have been a problem for them to QSY.
 
The Goddard transmitter, however, may well be rockbound and therefore not frequency agile.
 
Bottom line, I believe that N1CH acted in a way unbecoming an Amateur Radio Operator. The Goddard ARC club has provided the shuttle downlink audio for 22 years
on publicly published frequencies. These shuttle launches are not a daily occurrance by any means, but I gathered by the attitudes from the operators that this was not the first time they'd had a 'run-in' with the Goddard ARC.
 
I hate to think of what an SWL or perspective ham might have thought hearing the incident today. This was childish CB-type activity from an obnoxious,
arrogant person who somehow managed to get an Extra class license.
 
73,
 
Kyle Yoksh
KØKN
Olathe, Kansas
Amsat # 35249
VUCC Satellite # 150
ARRL Member
 

Hi,

I am looking for repair information for my Yaesu G500a elevation rotator. From what I can find out,
this unit is IDENTICAL to the Kenpro KR500.

I am having a problem with it, and would appreciate any insight you may have regarding this rotator.

Also, if anyone knows of a repair facility please pass it along.

Thanks and 73,

Kyle Yoksh
KØKN
Olathe, Kansas

Hi,

I have acquired a Raypar TE-1 phone patch, and have some questions for someone aquainted with these.

The patch is in very good shape, and was really taken care of. I do not have the manual, however. I'd like to find a manual or another owner that can answer a question or two for me.

I was first licensed in 1998, and this is my first phone patch! hi hi

Thanks for any help you can provide.

73,

Kyle Yoksh
K0KN
Olathe, Kansas

Hello.

I have started a couple of groups on Yahoo to support the Icom 207 mobile 2 meter / 70cm radio and the Icom 245 FM/SSB/CW rig.

The IC-245 is perhaps Icom's first 2 meter all-mode rig, and mine is still going strong. I have modified it to include LSB and USB.

The IC-207 is a great mobile rig. 50/35 watts out on the 144/440 bands. This rig is capable of expanded receive with a minor modification.

If you have one of these rigs, please join us to help support these great radios.

Of course, these groups are 100% free, and there is no catch.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ic245

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ic207group/

73 and thanks for the bandwidth,

Kyle Yoksh
K0KN

Hi everyone,

I have started a new group on Yahoo for users
the Icom IC-207 / IC-207h mobile rigs.

Everyone (except spammers) are welcome - even if you don't have one of these rigs yet.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ic207group/

See you there!

73,

Kyle Yoksh
K0KN

Hello..

I am converting an old Hygain CB to 10 meters, and am having difficulty obtaining much info on the PLL01 chip.

Any help would be appreciated. This CB is a Hygain Hyrange Ia, 23 channel, and uses 3 crystals along with the PLL01 chip.

If anyone has any experience modifying one of these, or with the PLL01 please pass it along to k0kn at qsl dot net.

Thanks

Kyle
K0KN

Hi.. Ever convert your CB to 10m? Just curious.. I've converted one so far, and have one to go.

73,

Kyle
K0KN

Hello,

Has anyone else had a problem logging in to http://www.mods.dk ?

I can't bring the page up from home OR work.

Thanks in advance. Please email any suggestions to k0kn at qsl dot net

73,

Kyle
K0KN

Hi everyone,
 
I am looking for a copy of the ARCP Amreg software for
the Icom CI-V interface.

The only links I find are broken. I'm hoping that someone has a good copy that they would be willing to email me.

I'll be happy to place a copy of the software on my web server once I receive it, so that the next guy doesn't go on a wild goose chase like me!

Please email to k0kn at qsl dot net.

Thanks and 73,

Kyle Yoksh
K0KN
Olathe, Kansas

Thanks for the info on 902-928 MHz. I own an Icom IC-207h (2m/440 mobile) that when modified will hear the entire 902-928 MHz band.

I don't know how well the radio hears at 902-928, as I have found no activity in this area. I believe we must 'Use it or lose it' as far as our frequency allocations are concerned, so I am trying to build/modify a transmitter for this band.

I've got some old analog 3 watt cell phones that used to be installed in vehicles before handheld phones became so common. These units operate as high as 894 MHz, I don't suppose it could be too difficult to make the operate 902-928? If nothing else, I should have some parts to build a decent transmitter/converter.

Good luck to all, let's use this band!

73,

Kyle Yoksh
K0KN
Olathe, Kansas