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Reviews For: ERC Version 4 USB Rotor Control Board

Category: Antenna Rotators & Accessories

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Review Summary For : ERC Version 4 USB Rotor Control Board
Reviews: 3MSRP: Kit $109 or Assembled $139
Description:
"USB rotator control right from your PC screen with ERC Version 4 USB. Point and click with the mouse with either supplied ERC software or interfaced via many popular transceiver control and logging programs." Also available: ERC RS-232, ERC Mini DX, ERC Mini SDX, ERC-M Dual Rotor Control
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.vibroplex.com/contents/en-us/d74.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
1534.7
I8KPV Rating: 2023-03-21
Absolutely not recommended. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Ho acquistato il primo erc smd e dopo pochi mesi ho avuto la rottura del smd ft230xs che ho provveduto a riparare e dopo contatti con Renè ho ottenuto un secondo esemplare a metà costo. Dopo qualche mese nel secondo esemplare ricevuto ho avuto la rottura del atmega 328 sostituito dopo invio in garanzia e costo spese. Dopo circa 6 mesi ancora qrt dell'atmega 328. Questi erc hanno una loro fragilità e quello che mi ha stupito enormemente è che il produttore non fornisce a richiesta l'atmega 328 . In questo modo un radioamatore si trova legato al produttore per un semplice chip . Stessa cosa per il kit che ho voluto provare Erc-M viene inviato un piccolo circuito già montato con un ic ft230xq. Anche in questo caso non è possibile ricevere ricambi! Prodotto che consente poche possibilità di riparazioni se va in qrt. e legato ad una assistenza che ritengo povere. Il prodotto è funzionante e valido, ha comunque un suo costo e bisogna tenere ben presente che la sua riparazione non è davvero alla portata di tutti specialmente se Renè non fornisce ricambi. Questo è davvero un grosso problema. Tutto ok ma deve sempre funzionare!
Assolutamente sconsigliato.

I bought the first erc smd and after a few months I had the smd ft230xs broken which I repaired and after contact with Renè I got a second copy at half cost. After a few months in the second copy received I had the atmega 328 broken and replaced after sending it under warranty and cost of expenses. After about 6 months still qrt of the atmega 328. These ERCs have their own fragility and what amazed me enormously is that the manufacturer does not supply the atmega 328 on request. In this way, a radio amateur is tied to the manufacturer for a simple chip. Same thing for the kit that I wanted to try Erc-M is sent a small circuit already assembled with an ic ft230xq. Also in this case it is not possible to receive spare parts! Product that allows little chance of repairs if it goes in qrt. and linked to assistance that I consider poor. The product is functional and valid, however it has its own cost and it must be borne in mind that its repair is not really within everyone's reach, especially if Renè does not provide spare parts. This is really a big deal. Everything ok but it must always work!
Absolutely not recommended.

too smart not to give the atmega 328 as a spare ... a real trick
KA1YBS Rating: 2021-07-10
Nice little kit Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Assembly was fairly easy. I had a hard time mounting the board and getting the hole for USB aligned right. I should have used the template. I put it into a $50 HyGain HamIV control box and turn my ancient, rebuilt, CDE HAM-M.

I have used this rotator from thousands of miles from home via my home network VPN, Silex USB to Ethernet server, and the included rotator control application. I have complete control of my hex beam and Icom 7610. It's a remarkable setup when I'm on a business trip.

I cannot get the rotator to work in LOG4OM v2. I think you need to purchase a different remote control application to gel with LOG4OM, not sure, I just use the ERC application anyway.
N4NUI Rating: 2021-05-12
Great Addition for adding electronic rotor control Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased the assembled ERC Version 4 USB for my Yaesu G-450A so I could control my HEX beam from the Ham Radio Deluxe integrated rotor control function. The installation into the existing manual control box took about an hour and was not complicated. I didn't completely disassemble the control box and making the connections was a challenge for my large fingers and if I were to do it again I would take the extra time. I used the supplied software to do the alignment and initial tests. When that was completed it works very well with HRD. My transceiver and rotor control box are not in my line of sight when using the computer station with HRD and the rotor control screen in HRD shows the beam orientation and path on both the on-screen meter and the map in either the Mercator or Great Circle Route map. This is a great way to add the electronic control to a manual rotor control box.