News

NEWS

 

19.May.2023 : New firmware V1.4 available for ERC-Mini
The following changes/corrections have been implemented:
 

  • In a view installations (approx 0,5%) a significant value of AC on the feedback-voltage coming from the control-box was found and lead to inaccuracy of position-indication of several degrees. Mainly newer control-boxes are affected.
  • The new firmware introduces software-filtering of this AC and improve position-indication.
  • NO UPDATE NEEDED if you don't have any problems with the position-indication

The Service-Tool, including the new Firmware, is available in the download-area of our homepage.
If you experience any problems or difficulties with the new version, please report to us by email.



09.Mar.2018 : New firmware V3.9 available for ERC-M and ERC Ver4sion 4

The following changes/corrections have been implemented:

  • addional commands implemented for better use with HAM-Pod (http://www.hampod.com)
  • default-value for 'Function of Aux' increased to 3000ms
  • time for security-stop changed from 8 to 12 sec

The Service-Tool, including the new Firmware, is available in the download-area of our homepage.
If you experience any problems or difficulties with the new version, please report to us by email.


09.Mar.2017 : New firmware V1.3 available for ERC-Mini

The following changes/corrections have been implemented:

 

  • bugfix of error in API (tnx W3XY)
  • NO UPDATE NEEDED if you don't use the API

The Service-Tool, including the new Firmware, is available in the download-area of our homepage.
If you experience any problems or difficulties with the new version, please report to us by email.

 

21.Feb.2016 : New firmware V1.2 and Service-Tool V1.1 available for ERC-Mini

The following changes/corrections have been implemented:

 

  • correction of a bug in the API for non-Windows users (tnx A65DR)
  • all 4 speeds (1 to 4) can now be configured for low-speed and high-speed (tnx KC8P)
  • the speed angle is now a configurable item between 0° and 30° (tnx N6WS, KC8P)

The new version of the Service-Tool, including the new Firmware, is available in the download-area of our homepage.
If you experience any problems or difficulties with these new versions, please report to us by email.

 

16.Jun.2015 : NEW 1-axis interface ERC-Mini available

ERC-Mini is a new line of rotor-interfaces especially made for rotators that have a remote-connector like

  • Yaesu/Kenpro SDX
  • Yaesu DXA/DXC
  • Create with 6-pole DIN-connector
  • Emotator with 5-pole DIN-connector 

While ERC-Mini SDX will be mounted directly inside the Yaesu/Kenpro-control-box all other ERC-Minis come with a metal-enclosure and a cable to the rotators control-box.

ERC-Minis are ‘Plug and Play’ and provide an USB-interface to the computer.

A new 4-stage speed-control is implemented for the Yaesu/Kenpro-rotators.

ERC-Mini is now available in our online-shop and on the HAM-Radio 2015 in Friedrichshafen / Germany on June 26th – 28th 2015, booth A1-409.

 

05.May.2014 : NEW 1-axis interface ERC VERSION 4 available

With hardware-revision 4 the following improvements and changes have been implemented:

  • ERC VERSION 4 is now available with RS232- or USB-interface
    • no external USB/RS232-converter needed for USB
    • the USB-version incorporates a FTDI-chip for highest compatibility to Linux, MacOS and all versions of Windows from XP on to 8.1
  • upgraded Microcontroller with double speed and double memory
  • improved methods for mechanical implementation
    • Back-panel mounted or ground-panel mounted
  • improved Firmware, Service-Tool  and Rotor-Control-Software (same as for ERC-M)
    • configurable baudrate: 4800/9600/19200/38400 Baud
    • configurable protocol: HyGain DCU-1, Yaesu GS232A or GS232B
    • automated Firmware-upload
    • selection of language for the Service-Tool: English, German, French
    • optimized and easier calibration-process
    • any position of antenna can be calibrated
    • support of side-mounted antennas
    • overlap up to 180° can be handled
    • extended calibration also in the overlap-area
    • configuration- and calibration-data can be saved and reloaded from the PC to make the use of the ERC easier for different rotators

 
04.May.2014 : New Service-Tool V3.3 available for ERC-M

This update covers a problem with the calibration of side-mounted rotators with less than 360° of turning-radius (tnx N4ZR).
The new version is available in the download-area of our homepage.

 

11.Apr.2014 : New firmware V3.6, Service-Tool V3.2 and Rotor-Control V1.6 available for ERC-M

The following changes have been implemented:

  • update of GS232A/B protocol-implementation to gain more compatibility to the original protocol by Yaesu ® (tnx DL1MX)
  • implementation of speed-reverse for the function of the AUX-relays (tnx DF3RL)
  • change of extended-calibration-steps for elevation from 15° per step to 5° per step to improve pointing-accuracy for non-linear elevation-systems like SAT-actuators with feedback-potentiometer (tnx ON4AOI) 

A new calibration will be needed after update of the firmware.
The new versions are available in the download-area of our homepage.
If you experience any problems or difficulties with these new version, please report to us by email.
 

10.Feb.2014 : We moved

from February 10th. on our new adress is: Kreuzangerstr. 58, DE-86399 Bobingen.

 

24.Mrz.2013 : New firmware V3.3 available for ERC-M

This version covers the unwanted appearance of additional characters on the LCD-display (thanks to F6BIA, F1BCS).
The Service-Tool V3.0 together with the new firmware V3.3 is ready for download on the download-page of our website.

 

21.Mar.2013 : TR4W a Contest-logger was successfully tested with ERC and ERC-M. TNX SM3EFS for pointing us to this software. The program-settings are available now in our Software Guide.  

 

25.Jan.2013 : New modes for ERC-M: Master-Slave over RS232 or LAN

A new Service-Tool V3.0 and Firmware V3.1 have been released for ERC-M.

These new versions support Master-Slave-Modes that are used in remote-stations without PCs. An ERC-M with desktop-housing (LCD, LEDS and pushbuttons) on the home-site is controlling an ERC-M on the remote-site. This can be done either by the optional LAN-interface of the ERC-M or by devices that convey RS232 over LAN/Internet.

These new modes are described in our new operation-guide.

 The following modes are now supported by ERC-M:

  • ERC-M controlled by a PC by RS232
  • ERC-M controlled by a PC by USB
  • ERC-M controlled by a PC by LAN
  • One PC controls several ERC-M by RS232 or USB
  • One PC controls several ERC-M by LAN
  • Several PC control 1 ERC-M over LAN
  • Several PC control several ERC-M over LAN
  • Master-Slave mode over RS232
  • Master-Slave mode over LAN
  • Master-Slave mode over the Internet

 All needed modes are now covered for a home-station, a contest-station with multiple operator and/or multiple antennas (rotators) and remote-stations.

 The new Service-Tool together with the new firmware and the new operation-guide are ready for download on the download-page of our website.

 

22.Mar.2012 : HalloSat, a German satellite-tracking-program, does now support ERC-M for rotor-controlling. In order to use this function, HalloSat with version 5xx (or higher) together with HalloEasyRotor and ERC-M with a firmware version 2.4 or higher is needed. The latest firmware for ERC-M is available on our download-page. Thanks to Gerd, DB3DH, for the cooperation to make this solution happen.
More information about HalloSat is available at http://www.hallosat.de/ .

 

10.Mar.2012 : All ERC-Interfaces have been successfully tested with AZraEL, a small EME-tracker by PA5DD.

25.Feb.2012 : Easy-Rotor-Control is Sponsor of the 15th International EME Conference held in Cambridge August 2012
For further information about the conferecne follow this link: EME 2012

28.Jan.2012 : GPREDICT, a LINUX-software using HAMLIB was successfully tested with ERC-M (Thanks EA4TV). The settings are available in our software-wiki.

22.Jan.2012 : A new software-wiki is now available on our homepage. It gives detailled information about how to setup an ERC-interface and how to setup the software which is used.

23.Jun.2011 : PstRotatorAZ is now supporting the new DUAL-AZ mode from version 5.23 on.

18.Jun.2011 : ERC-M, a new modular rotor-interface featuring DUAL-AZ

ERC-M is a modular rotor-interface featuring multiple options and is suitable to nearly every purpose in the world of rotor-controlling.

Based on 1 interface-PCB you can:

  • choose your primary interface between USB or RS232
  • add an additional LAN-interface
  • add a slimline-case
  • add a desktop-housing for azimuth&elevation or DUAL-azimuth (1) with LCD, LEDs and a keyboard for manual control
  • add rotorcards if your rotor-control-box doesn't provide a remote connector
  • connect more than 70 different rotators in any combination

1) DUAL-AZ is a new protocol based on Yaesus GS232-protocol that includes the possibility to control 2 different azimuth-rotators through 1 interface

  • the protocol was introduced by VE2DX in June 2011
  • ERC-M is the first interface to support this new protocol
  • the following programs already support DUAL-AZ: Logger 32

First units will be available on the German HAM-Radio exhibition in Friedrichshafen June 24-26 2011.

 

04.Mar.2011 : Improving pointing accuracy of Create RC5-1/RC5-3 (not –p)

  • Problem: The source-voltage for the feedback-potentiometer is taken from an unstabilized 12V (or +/- 12V) DC inside the control-box. The power current for the motor is taken from another winding of the same transformer. In the moment when the motor is switched, the feedback-voltage drops some percent which may lead to pointing-inaccuracies up to 10°. The problem appears mainly in installations where the cables to the rotator are short and have a good diameter hence surging more current from the control-box. Create corrected this problem in models with remote-connector (-P) by use of a voltage regulator.

  • Solution: Adding a 9.1 or 10V Z-Diode over the terminal clamps 4 and 6 of the control-box stabilizes this voltage significantly and the pointing accuracy improves well. The Z-diode should have at least 0.5W. The needed series-resistors for the Z-diode are already included in the circuit of the control-box.
    As there are different schematics out there for these rotators, the polarity of the voltage at terminal clamps 4 and 6 is different. Please measure the polarity and connect the cathode of the Z-Diode to the positive terminal clamp. The cathode is normally marked with a black stripe on the body of the Z-diode.

  • We will add a suitable diode to our e-shop soon.

    Thanks to DO1JRA and K6CG for testing this solution. 

16.Feb.2011 : New Firmware for 1-axis-controller ERC V6.8 is available with the following changes / improvements :

  • Improvement of compatibilty to N1MM-Rotor (V 10.7.5) and LP-Rotor (Thanks AD6Z).

  • The new version is available on our download page.

05.Oct.2010 : Easy-Rotor-Control was successfully tested with the following programs:

  • WXtoImg, a weather satellite signal to image decoder

25.Sep.2010 : Easy-Rotor-Control was successfully tested with the following programs:

  • EME-System (F1EHN)

  • HAMLIB, an open-source-library for HAM-radio projects

18.Jul.2010 : New Firmware for 2-axis-controller ERC-3D V2.3 and Service-Tool V2.2 are available with the following changes / improvements :

  • Optimization of the extended calibration. Instead of taking the average between 2 calibration-points, the moving average is now calculated. This avoids the jumps in the feedback-angle that could appear close to the calibration-points.

  • Improved stop-handling with better pointing accuracy.

  • The new version is available on our download-page.

17.Jul.2010 : New Firmware for 1-axis-controller ERC V6.5 and Service-Tool V6.3 are available with the following changes / improvements :

  • Optimization of the extended calibration. Instead of taking the average between 2 calibration-points, the moving average is now calculated. This avoids the jumps in the feedback-angle that could appear close to the calibration-points (Thanks IZ3KGJ, YO3DMU).

  • Optimization of the feedback-angle if the ERC works in elevation-mode. All angles greater than 180° automatically change to 0° (Thanks YO3DMU),

  • The new version is available on our download-page.

20.Jun.2010 : Just in time for the HAM-Radio exhibition 2010 in Friedrichshafen / Germany we released our new 2-axis-interface ERC-R.

  • ERC-R is an miniature-interface for such rotators, where the control-box already has a remote-connector :

    • Yaesu G-5400/5500/5600 with 8-pole DIN-connector
    • Yaesu/Kenpro G/KR-800/1000/2700/800 SDX with 8-pole flat connector
    • Yaesu G-800/1000/2800 DXA/DXC with 6-pole Mini-DIN-connector
    • Create RC5A/B-3-P and ERC5A-P with 6-pole DIN-connector
    • Emotator, all with a 5-pole DIN-connector
    • ProSisTel, control-box type B with 9-pole D-SUB-connector

  • ERC-R provides the following features :

    • Miniature-PCB 67mmx45mm
    • ready assembled with SMD + connectors in THT
    • USB with FTDI-chipset
    • Low-Power-Design with Open-Collector- and OPTOMOS-outputs
    • USB-powered or external with 7..15V DC

  • ERC-R provides the following connections

    • Rotor-controllers (see above) through 10 solder-pads
    • LCD through 10-pole boxheader
    • LED+switches through 10-pole boxheader

  • A first production-lot will be available on the HAM-Radio exhibition (A1-413) on 25th. to 27th. of June in Friedrichshafen/Germany

  • For more details about the ERC-R look to the product-page

29.May.2010 : New Firmware for 1-axis-controller ERC V6.4 and Service-Tool V6.3 are available with the following changes / improvements :

  • Adds the "Speed reverse"-function to the 3rd. relay to support speed-control for the CREATE -P rotators.

  • Corrects the behaviour of the CW-button in ERC-Control DCU-1
    (Thanks DJ4MZ).

  • The new version is available on our download-page.

09.May.2010 : Introduction of the Buddy-program :

  • Due to several requests we introduce our Buddy-program today.

  • Already registered users may order with a discount for their Buddy.

  • We have an extended discount until 31-May-2010 during the introduction of the Buddy-program.

  • For further details refer to our Prices-section.

02.May.2010 : New Firmware for 2-axis-controller ERC-3D V2.1 and Service-Tool V2.2 are available with the following changes / improvements :

  • The 5th. relay can now be configured as a brake-relay or as a relay to control the speed of some rotators. It also can be deactivated completely. Parameters to configure the relay as speed-relay have been implemented.

  • The hardware-test-routine can now be interrupted by pressing the Test-button again.

  • The new version is available on our download-page.

25.Apr.2010 : New Firmware for 1-axis-controller ERC V6.3 and Service-Tool V6.2 are available with the following changes / improvements :

  • The 3rd. relay can now be configured as a brake-relay or as a relay to control the speed of some rotators. It also can be deactivated completely. Parameters to configure the relay as speed-relay have been implemented.

  • The Service-tool provides now a Default-button to reset the calibration and configuration to default-values.

  • The hardware-test-routine can now be interrupted by pressing the Test-button again.

  • Implementation of the parameter "Tolerance".

  • Improvement of handling the GS232-protocol when configured as Azimuth or Elevation-rotator (Thanks VE2DX).

  • The new version is available on our download-page. Please pay attention to the remarks on the download-page for the upgrade to this version  !

13.Mar.2010 : New Firmware for 2-axis-controller ERC-3D V1.8 and Service-Tool V1.6 are available with the following changes / improvements :

  • Corrects a bug in the Azimuth-calibration (Thanks to various users).

  • Corrects a bug in the "Extended Calibration", when Azimuth and Elevation are using the extended calibration (Thanks IV3MUR)

  • The new version is available on our download-page.

07.Mar.2010 : New Firmware for 2-axis-controller ERC-3D V1.6 and Service-Tool V1.5 are available with the following changes / improvements :

  • To improve compatibility the Yaesu-protocol can now be configured as GS232A or GS232B (Thanks VE2DX).

  • Beside German and Englisch, French is now available too for the Service-tool and Rotor-Control (Thanks VE2DX).

  • Corrects an error in moving while in the overlap-area (Thanks VE2DX).

  • Many thanks to Richard VE2DX for his intensive and also inspiring testing of the ERC and ERC-3D. Here you can find his test-reports :
    ERC =     http://forums.ham-radio.ch/showthread.php?t=19140
    ERC-3D = http://forums.ham-radio.ch/showthread.php?t=19168

28.Feb.2010 : New Firmware for 1-axis-controller ERC V5.5 is available with the following changes / improvements :

  • Improvement of the compatibility in DCU-1 and GS232B-mode (thanks VE2DX for intensive testing).

  • Improved tracking-algorithm if ERC is used in SAT/EME-installations (thanks again VE2DX).

  • The new version is available on our download-page.

14.Feb.2010 : Improved Service-Tool V5.3 for 1-axis-controller ERC is available with the following changes / improvements : :

  • Corrects an error in handling the user-authorization with Windows 7 (Thanks SM0JZT).

  • Corrects a misleading information while calibrating a south-centered antenna (Thanks SM0JZT).

30.Jan.2010 : New Firmware for 1-axis-controller ERC V5.2 and Service-Tool V5.2 are available with the following changes / improvements :

  • Improvement of the compatibility in the GS232B-mode as some rotor-control-programs have a different interpretation of the GS232B-protocol.

  • Expansion of elevation-calibration to 45°, 90° and 180° (thanks IZ3KGJ).

  • Implementation of a test-button to check functionality of the relays after assembly.

  • Reduction of firmware-upload-speed to 19200, as there was a problem with older PCs with high utilization.

21.Jan.2010 : The 2-axis-controller ERC-3D for the control of azimuth- and elevation-combi-rotators and for any other combination of azimuth- and elevation-rotators has successfully passed the beta-test-phase and can be delivered now.

16.Jan.2010 : Easy-Rotor-Control was successfully tested with the following program :

  • Win-EQF

29.Nov.2009 : From now on a Lite-Version of PstRotator by YO3DMU, a professional rotor-control-software, will be delievered together with Easy-Rotor-Control. Thanks to Codrut making this special version for us.

21.Nov.2009 : New Firmware V5.0 and Service-Tool V5.0 are available with the following changes / improvements :

  • The control of elevation-rotators has been implemented. It supports control and calibration of 90° and 180° elevation-rotators.

  • All comports from COM1 to COM15 can now be used also for firmware-update.

14.Nov.2009 : New Firmware V4.2 and Service-Tool V4.2 with Bugfix available.

06.Nov.2009 : New Firmware V4.1 and Service-Tool V4.1 are available with the following changes / improvements :

  • Calculation of overlap-areas during the calibration of rotators that support more than 360° (now max. 720°).

  • Full support for rotators with > 360°. (thanks to several users).

  • Introduction of the calibration-assistent to make the calibration-process easier.

  • Beside the buttons CW and CCW (now >> and <<) there are now the buttons >>| und |<< available. After clicking these buttons the rotator will move to the choosen direction until it reaches the mechanical or programmable endstops or stops by pressing the STOP-button. (thanks HB9KAR).

  • Adjustable poll-rate for ERC-Control (thanks DL1NUX).

  • New parameter "Start-Application". It can be choosen, if the Service-Tool starts with the configuration-window or with ERC-Control (thanks DL1NUX)

20.Sep.2009 : Easy-Rotor-Control was successfully tested with the following program :

  • PstRotator
    The author Codrut, YO3DMU has added EASY-ROTOR-CONTROL in the setup. Thank you Codrut !

28.Jul.2009 : Easy-Rotor-Control was successfully tested with the following program :

  • EasyLog 5

12.Jul.2009 : Easy-Rotor-Control was successfully tested with the following program :

  • Win-Test 4

03.Jul.2009 : Easy-Rotor-Control was successfully tested with the following programs :

  • DXbase 2007

  • UcxLog with Version 6.42

20.Jun.2009 : New Firmware V3.0 and Service-Tool V3.0 are available with the following changes / improvements :

  • Alternativ to the normal calibration an extended calibration is available to compensate non-linearities of the rotator-feedback-voltage. The calibration is performed every 30° (Thanks DL1NUX).

  • Implementation of an user-dialog to guide through the firmware-update-process (Thanks DL1DSN).

  • Expansion of available COM-ports in the Service-Tool. Now COM1 through COM8 is available to control the ERC by the ERC-Control or other software BUT be aware, that during a firmeware-update the ERC MUST be connected to a COM-port between COM1 and COM4. This expansion was made, as in some notebooks all COM-ports up to COM4 are occupied by internal devices of the notebook (Thanks DF2JP).

The new firmware and service-tool are part of the delivery from now on. Existing users may request the new firmware und servie-tool by email.

01.Jun.2009 : New Firmware V2.5 and Service-Tool V2.2 are available with the following changes / improvements :

  • Support of south-centered-antennas.

  • Feedback of antenna-position to the controlling program
    (extended Hygain DCU-1 protocol).

  • Additional functions of the internal rotor-control-program :

    • The position of the antenna is shown by using the new feedback-function.
    • Additional buttons for CW (right) and CCW (left) according to the function of the manual buttons of a rotor-controller.
    • Implementation of an additional park-button.
    • The internal control-program is renamed from Simple-Control in ERC-Control.

  • Change of specification of the input-circuit to +3..+15V with automatic-range and update of the hardware accordingly (compatible to existing hardware).

The new firmware, hardware and service-tool are part of the delivery from now on. Existing users may request the new firmware und servie-tool by email.

17.May.2009 : The Service-Tool was successfully tested on Windows 7 (Thanks DF2JP).

25.Apr.2009 : The Beta-test-Phase was successfully closed. All change requests and and additional features are available in Firmware V2.1 and Service Tool V2.0.

03.Apr.2009 : A new Firmware V1.4 was released with a bug-fix. See details in the Yahoo-group.

20.Mar.2009 : Beta-testing of ERC started.

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