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Reviews For: Idiom Press/Ham Supply RotorCard - Yaesu DXA Rotator Controller

Category: Antenna Rotators & Accessories

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Review Summary For : Idiom Press/Ham Supply RotorCard - Yaesu DXA Rotator Controller
Reviews: 35MSRP: 149.95
Description:
"Point and Shoot” RotorCard computer control RS-232 interface for ALL Yaesu DXA model rotator controllers mounts inside your Yaesu DXA box. No external box required
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.hamsupply.com/rotorcard-yaesu-dxa-rotors/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00354.5
AA6VB Rating: 2022-01-07
Works as Advertised Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently bought this card to allow control of my Yaesu G-2800DXA via my DX4WIN Logging Program. It was shipped immediately and arrived in a few days.

The instructions were very clear and easy to follow. The cost of this card is a fraction of the Yaesu interface and most of all - it mounts inside the controller so no new boxes, power supplies, etc. to clutter the desk. It automatically slows down near the end of the rotation which is easy on the rotator and the tower.

I’m very happy.
N4PL Rating: 2021-02-20
Works well! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently bought this card to be able to remotely control my G-1000DXA. The instructions were clear and now my controller can be seen on the web via RC-1216H. The cost of this card is a fraction of that Yaesu interface and most of all - it mounts inside the controller so no new boxes, power supplies and spaghetti of cables. Great product. For those interested: this card supports DCU-1 protocol.
K7BJS Rating: 2018-03-29
It Serves My Purpose Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
So I purchased A new Yaesu G-800 DXA rotator, and of course no usb nor Rs-232 communications, with a computer unless, you buy the OVERPRICED factory interface.
The kit complete, with good instructions, my only complaint is, (and they tell you on their website), there is no usb interface. only RS-232c at 4800 8 n 1. That's ok I suppose, but still lame, my biggest issue that I did not find out about till I got the unit, was that it will not handle the Yaesu protocol. they do suggest something that will work.
YU7EF Rating: 2014-12-01
very useful Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have one card but somehow wires soldered to points A, B and C broke off and now I'm in a trouble to get them soldered back ...

I need someone to give me pin to pin connections of these 3 wires from A, B & C to DB9 connector pins - I would appreciate if someone can drop me a mail to pop@yu7ef.com with this information so I can set up my remote control
N4FNB Rating: 2014-05-20
I REALLY WANTED TO BUY ONE OF THESE Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I ordered a controller for my Yaesu G-800DXA almost

TWO MONTHS AGO and I get NO RESPONSE. They charged

my card the $149 so someone is collecting money. I

have emailed twice and get a message that their mail

box has not been set up when calling. LOOKS LIKE

I JUST GOT TOOK!! I thought QST ads were a safe

source. I wish I had seen the last post.

Don't send money until you hear from these people.
K8NOS Rating: 2014-03-29
A great product but horrible customer service Time Owned: N.A.
I ordered the USB version because my computer doesn't have a serial port but received the serial version (and it took almost a month after my credit card was charged).

I've called, emailed, and tried various ways to contact him (I guess Idiom Press is a one-man operation) but no luck.

So, I went on Amazon and bought a Serial to USB adaptor ($20) and got it to work.

I knew (because I had read the reviews)that I was taking a chance when I placed my order so the only thing I can say is that I should have known better. Caveat Emptor!

Sam
KC2TN Rating: 2013-01-05
DXA USB Interface Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Bought this unit from Rob after conferring with him via email..
Once the purchase was made I had a few issues with configuring it due to misleading directiions but did get it to work eventually. However, the settings would not hold and I found myself reconfiguring the unit after unplugging the USB and redetecting the device several times. It would work for a while then I'd have to repeat the process. Eventually the unit stopped working altogether! I tried calling, emailing, voicemailing Rob for 2 months now with absolutely NO RESPONSE! OK, Maybe he was on vacation, sick, out of business, who knows! But after researching past issues with other customers I see this is a habitual behaviour! I was anxious to get this unit repaired so sent it back to Rob and got a delivering confirmation but STILL no word from him yet. I've got to say I've been pretty patient up to this point but have to wonder how anyone can stay in business with this type of customer relationship? Now I kow that others have had success with Rob in the past but they must have caught him when he was in a working mood. He seems to disappear for long periods with no warning. I would like to get my controller fixed and returned but in the mean time figured it best to warn others of what they may be getting into when purchasing from Idiom Press.
N2TU Rating: 2012-08-11
SUper Customer Service! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Not to rehash the previous reviews but simply said, this is a super product at a super price point.

A few days ago, we had a near lightning strike which took out some electronics in the shack. The RotorCard was involved. After contacting Rob, he had a good idea which parts went south and mailed me the chip and voltage regulator.

You can have the best product in the world but unless you stand behind it, why bother? Rob is top drawer! His product is aces and so is he!

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by N2TU on 2009-03-29

Easily installed, bug free, great Customer Support. The ordering to delivery process was about a week and Rob let me know when it was shipped.

This is my fourth Rotor EZ installation and the easiest of the bunch. (others were the HyGain type).

The Printed Wire Board was A grade, the connection cables were top of the line and the calibration was simple.

The instructions were spot on...if you buy a Yaesu rotor, use this controller. It is the great.
AF6GL Rating: 2012-03-31
USB Version (New for 2012) Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Installation was very straight forward and no jumper. You insert the card like the serial version but instead of an internal jumper this is external. The installed card has two cables coming out of it. an approximate 4 foot USB cable and a 6 inch DIN cable. After installing the card, plug the DIN cable into your rotator, then plug the USB into the computer. Windows 7 recognized it and installed the driver included in Windows. There is a calibration procedure requiring a simple terminal program that the instructions tell you how to use. Quick and simple. The install and calibration took about 10 minutes. I use it with Windows 7 64 bit, HRD 5.11 and Yaesu G-800DXA.

** Note: Although the card rates a 5, the service rates a 0. I tried phone messages and emails, even encrypted as requested (poor business practice) and never got a response. They did send periodic email updates explaining the backorder but that was weeks after no acknowledgement of receipt of my order and was a generic email. Great product but I am seriously concerned with customer support if ever needed. **
G1HJW Rating: 2011-05-11
Does what it says On the Box Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I went for one of these because the reports on them are good both on EHam and other forums.

And another point which is a plus to most of us these days is the price its a lot cheaper than Yaesu's version which is somewhat over priced.

Its easy to set up, paper work is very helpful and guides you through step by step works with all the programs I have used with it and fits very nice inside the Yaesu controller no messy box out side.

Very much like the auto switch to slow speed when it comes to the end of the rotation great for reducing the strain on rotator and large antenna systems.

If your after a computer controlled Rotor this is the one to get :)