Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Array Solutions AS-RA-S1 Digital Rotator Controller

Category: Antenna Rotators & Accessories

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Array Solutions AS-RA-S1 Digital Rotator Controller
Reviews: 2MSRP: $425
Description:
The RA-S1 is a digital controller for azimuthal rotators.
Its main features are:

Voltage output regulated with PWM (Pulse Width
Modulation)
Soft-start and Soft-stop With the PWM speed control, the
controller softly ramps up and ramps down the rotator’s
speed on every operation mode.
On-hand speed controls The potentiometer’s SPEED to make
it easy to adjust the rotation speed.
Point and Shoot Choose an azimuth with the POS
potentiometer, press GO and let the controller softly
guide the rotator to the chosen bearing.
Offset definition Quickly corrects the azimuth your
antenna is pointing at, without the need of a new
calibration.
Software defined limits With them your stacked antennas
won’t hit the tower. It is very intuitive to configure.
Serial RS-232 communications with DB-9 or USB The RA-S1
controller uses the Yaesu protocol GS232A, making it easy
to use with every existing program.
Firmware Upgradeable It is possible to upgrade the
firmware of the controller easily with the USB port. Your
controller will never be out of date.
Full compatibility with most rotators The RA-S1 was
developed to work with most of the available rotators in
the market, being able to control AC rotators (24 or 36 V
AC) and DC (12, 24 or 36 V DC)*, that have positioning
feedback by pulses or internal potentiometer. The
rotators commonly used (Yaesu G-800, G-1000, G-2800,
HyGain HAM-IV, T-2, Pro.Sis.Tel PST-71D, PST-61D, PST-
2051, PST-641, M2 Orion 2800) can be used with these
systems.
Unit dimensions are 8" x 8" x 4" H
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.arraysolutions.com/ra-s1
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0025
VE2BWL Rating: 2017-01-22
Better controller for long cable runs Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
When I experienced a problem with the original controller for the Prosistel PST-71D, Jay at Array Solutions suggested I try the AS-RA-S1 controller. The more than 500 feet run between the station and the rotor produced, at times, erroneous and unstable readings.
I like the large red display azimuth reading and the accurate point and shoot pot. Establishing the north or south stops accurately is easy and required only a few minutes. No more climbing the tower and physically re-aligning the mast.
The level of support Jay, Jim and David provided is outstanding; I purchased several of their products over the years and their support is always top notch.
W6GEE Rating: 2017-01-08
Solidly built unit and outstanding performer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I switched from the Yaesu G-450A analog controller to the Array Solutions digital controller. The Array Solutions controller makes rotator operations so much easier with point-and-shoot capability, which now makes beam rotation a hands-free operation for me. The Array Solutions controller also works very well with HRD Rotator with the capability of simply clicking my mouse on any part of the world map (or entering the call sign of my QSO), and letting the controller do the rest of the work. This controller also has manual capability to fine-tune beam headings, and the variable speed control is a nice additional feature.

The AS-RA-S1 is a very solidly built unit and doesn't budge when pressing control buttons and switches. This controller also has a built-in power supply that makes this a very clean and space-efficient equipment addition to the shack.

As far as I know, my Array Solutions digital rotator controller is the very first model they've built for the Yaesu G-450A model rotator. I can't say enough for how helpful and responsive the Array Solutions technical support staff and ownership was for designing their controller to work with my Yaesu G-450A rotator. I highly recommend this rotator controller for its great design and function at a very reasonable price.