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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
K5HSV Rating: 2006-03-21
Idiompress: They Do Rotor Controllers Right Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
First of all I have to say, after purchasing a Yaesu G-2800DXA rotor I wanted a computer controled rotor. Looking at Yaesu's controler I almost fell out of my chair at the sticker shock. A fellow amateur operator, KG5I, told me about the Idiom Press DXA controller and that I should check it out. The rest is history. After reading the ratings here at eHam.net I decided to purchase one. Here is what I found.

Findings:

1. The Idiom Press controller installed in a matter of five minutes. The calibration procedure to about 5-10 minutes.

2. Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD) software is what I use to control the rotor. HRD / Idiom Press utilizes the functions that are on the front of the G-2800DXA, slow down before comming to a stop to keep from snapping the beam to a sudden stop, preset with HRD and the Mapper are a huge plus.

3.Open the mapper and after you've entered your grid location, just click on the DX spot you want to work and the beam swings to that heading.

Pro: Ease of install and calibration. Accuracy in heading. Utilizes the same function that your Yaesu rotor controller box uses. Works flawlessly with HRD... and did if forget to mention HRD is AWESOME and it's FREE for the download.

Con: It would be nice if the controller had a USB connecton, considering that is a faster and easier way to connect with a Windows PC. It only comes with a serial cable. Not enought to ding it though. It still rates a perfect score.
K7ZV Rating: 2006-02-22
RS-232 MADE EASY! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
While setting up my station to operate remote I discovered my Yaesu G-2800DXA was not RS-232 compatible. So I checked on the Yaesu website and found that they indeed have a unit to interface the rotator. That was great till I saw the price and I immediately went into sticker shock!

This prompted me to check for an alternate solution. What I found and acquired was the RotorCard DXA for the Yaesu DXA series rotors from Bob - W9KNI of Idiom Press (http://www.idiompress.com). I knew they built the Rotor-EZ adaptation and serial interface for the Hy-Gain rotors, but I was not aware they also built serial interfaces for the Yaesu SDX and DXA series rotors as well, and at a fraction of the price of the Yaesu interface.

The installation took less time to install than it did to read the instructions and this included the calibration! I really liked the fact that everything was housed within the rotor control box making for a very clean appearance.

The device makes it very easy to operate the rotor from the remote laptop. I used one of the three referenced free programs (http//www.telepostinc.com/lp-rotor-html). This super program gives you a real-time graphic view of the rotor moving so you always know where you are pointing.


Thanks Idiom Press for a super product at reasonable price.
K6RSG Rating: 2005-09-15
One, Two, Three, Go...! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The RotorCard DXA for the Yaesu G-800DXA (and other Yaesu DXA series rotators) is a great product, and Bob Locher (IdiomPress) is simply wonderful to deal with.

Pre-sales he was forthcoming with details, information and control codes to facilitate my intended use of the board. The board arrived two days after my phone order, delivered by US Priority Mail.

The instructions are almost perfect, containing only two (2) incidental errors. The first is a numerical typo of the page number of a photograph, and, the second is a minor disparity with the copyright message seen when initializing the board's alignment procedure. Fortunately, neither should present any stumbling blocks for users.

Otherwise, the documentation is precise and exacting, stepping you through familiarization with the board, opening the rotator housing, alignment & test procedures, and finalizing the installation.

Initial testing shows the board's performance to be quite accurate. However, as the board merely provides the rotator's control interface, acutal performance will depend on the control software one opts to use. In my case, the application is in conjunction with Simon Brown's (HB9DRV) development of the new Rotator Control features of Ham Radio Deluxe.

All this and a high quality board all contribute to making this a great product.

Very '73

Rob - AK9G
(Prev. K6RSG)
AE6EQ Rating: 2005-07-08
Great Product/Support Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned two rotorcards for my G-1000DXA rotators for some time now. They have worked flawlessly and the support from IdiomPress has been phenomenal. Their support is fast and friendly. I have written software to control my rotators and IdiomPress support has provided technical information at the drop of a hat. I also misplaced my calibration instructions. IdiomPress emailed the document to me in just a few hours. I will buy a third rotorcard for my next rotator. I do not beleive that you can get a better unit especially in their price range. RotorCard is a real bargain....
K2UT Rating: 2005-04-04
Great product! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
First, shipping was amazing... I ordered from the web page on a Thursday, and it arrived on Saturday.

Installation was a snap... carefully reading the directions takes about as long as the actual work. Calibration took about two minutes.

The instructions are very complete and have a nice picture that shows how everything should look when done. The level of detail is just right; there is nothing vague in the instructions, but there isn't excess data either.

Once again, Idiom Press produces another great product, has a great web page to order from, very good documentation, and speedy delivery. Why did I wait so long to order this???
PT2ZEG Rating: 2004-09-20
A winner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Well, if you wish to finally automate your rotor control through your logging program - and save some dollars, the RotorCard is really the best way to do it. I ordered mine for my Yaesu G-800 DXA; installation and calibration steps were easy like a breeze, just follow the instructions and you are in business!

I can now take advantage of the DXBase 2005 rotor control feature, really neat. I highly recommend it to anyone.

73, Alberto
PT2ZEG
KG4LRU Rating: 2004-02-17
Works just like Factory Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased my Rotor card 2 years ago for my 1000 DXA Yaesu rotor. I am using a US Tower Crank up MA-550. Very easy install for this card looks clean just like it came from the factory, I use The DX4 WIN logging program and use DUC-1 setting. It does a fine job for over two years. Save your self a few bucks this card does the trick. Never had a problem with it.
K4IA Rating: 2004-02-01
A Charm Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was a little worried because my G-800DXA was not doing a good job using the presets. In fact, they were worthless. The presets were always off by as much as 30 degrees so lining things up was a "hands on" pain. I wasn't sure if the RotorCard would work any better. BTW, according to the instructions, this RotorCard will only work with "DXA or DXC series rotors which include preset capablility."

Not a problem. The install was very easy (10 minutes) and when I got done, the accuracy was to within 5 degrees. Now, I click a mouse button in my logging program and the rotor goes where it is supposed to go.

I am using DXLab and a USB to serial cable because I lacked another serial port for the RotorCard.
W4ATM Rating: 2003-12-25
Brain Dead Easy Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My XYL and I just upgraded our antenna installation, and decided on a Yaesu G-800DXA primarily because of this card. Just as others say, it installed instantly and worked perfectly the first time. It's so easy there's just no excuse to get the Yaesu interface - at 4x the price!

Now we can point the antenna with a keyboard command - or use the rotator in full-manual mode.
AB8NI Rating: 2003-11-10
Greation Addition Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I would like to add my thumbs up to Idiom Press for a first class add on to my 1000DXA rotor. Fast shipping and easy installation. I had one question and shot off an Email on Sunday not expecting to get a reply until Monday at the soonest. Within an hour, to my surprise, on a Sunday the answer was in my inbox. Interfaced with Prolog2k and Writelog with no problems.

Dennis AB8NI