[pskmail] Server's antenna turning function

From: Robert Krasowski <rkrasowski@xxxxxxxxx>
To: pskmail@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Sat, 31 Mar 2012 06:54:24 -0700 (PDT)

Hi 
I wrote a subroutine in Perl to turn antenna towards calling client. My 20 
meters antenna is down and I am fixing it. I also purchased kit to adapt my A3S 
to 30 meters, so it will be directional in both bands that is why I started 
working on this idea.
 I used Basic Stamp 2 with compass module - that is a part that is installed on 
mast, everything is connected to my server's computer, I hacked my Yeasu 
rotator G-800S, used UK1104 - 4-Port USB Relay Controller to control rotator 
and wrote software, which I attached to this email. Anybody interested in 
copying this please feel free, any help needed, just send me an email. 

Now, subroutine receive position in Lat Lon form  , and does turn antenna  
towards client.
 
I need help with implementing this into the server. 
Which way will be the best to do it ?

The way
 I see this:
1/  Station trying to connect to the server should send a message to server 
with call sign of the server, client's callsign as well as client's position,
2/  Server after receiving that position send a confirmation and start 
antennaTurning subroutine,
3/  After server   finished turning antenna send another message that turning 
is completed and is ready to connect . 
4/ Now client can connect into the server

I think that initial message from client should look something like this:

<SOH>00uKB2PNM>>SQ2ZAC 37N,44E ABCD<EOT>
 It should be transmitted in some rebust mode, and answer from server needs to 
be in similar mode. 

It would be great to have a function implemented into client software utilizing 
this function, however I understand that not too many servers will have that 
ability.  I used already the function that I created in my experimental server
 ~TURNANT, but client have to connect first to be able to do this. 

Please let me know what you think about that idea. 
As I mentioned, my antenna is down (A3S, server is running on 30 meters only 
now), I will try to fix it this week end, the only thing that can stop me from 
doing that can be a need to order some extra parts, that will delay the process 
for at least a week. 

73 
Robert 
KB2PNM
[pskmail] Server's antenna turning function

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