RVDT or Resolver sources

[zainka]

I am searching for RVDTs or Resolvers in the low or midrange segments (simply because good ones are to expensive). If you know of a source / distro i would like to know or where to get ok used once. Tried ebay but there where few options and most where either to expensive or broken / sparepart sources

to be used in an DIY antenna tracking system

 

[BradtheRad]

My story might serve for contrast and comparison...
To rotate our roof TV antenna I purchased Radio Shack's motorized antenna rotator. ($70 thirty years ago.) The roof unit had a large motor which turned the antenna through 350 degrees. The armchair unit had a small motor turning a dial labelled with the four points of a compass.

The motors were geared to turn both indicator and antenna at the same speed. To get the two aligned, I had to spend some time trying different positions of the dial, then stepping outside to eyeball the antenna's direction, north-south-east-west.

I don't know if this method is less expensive or less effort to construct than your planned project.

 

[zainka]

Well, it would be less expensive but I was hoping for a non-eyeball dependent system.
Its to be used with, or more correct... experimenting with, satellite tracking sw like gpredict as an example. These sw has systems for radio (SDR radios) and antenna rotator control for autonomous trakcing. When built the system needs some eyeball supported calibration off-course but should then be left alone for most time. Its one of those project one do for the fun of it.

 

[BradtheRad]

There's also the electronic compass. Uses 1 or more hall sensors to sense earth's magnetic field. Many versions of this project are out there, handheld, remote sending, etc.