K3NG Rotator Controller

Nextion for K3NG Rotator Controller Update 2021-10-23

October 26, 2021 by admin

VK4GHZ Nextion firmware for the K3NG Rotator Controller receives an update dated 2021-10-23.

This update works in conjunction with Anthony Good’s, K3NG, latest release of rotator controller Arduino code, version 2021.10.19.04.

What’s New?

V2021-10-23

New: 3.2" 3.5" 5.0" 7.0" Start up behaviour.
K3NG code v2021.10.19.04 or later REQUIRED.

Nextion will now wait for gSC data to arrive from Arduino

Amateur Radio K3NG Rotator Controller Nextion HMI

Nextion / TJC HMI Power Up Timing

October 5, 2021 by admin

How long does it take a Nextion / TJC HMI to power up, and be ready to receive data from your MCU?

If you’re relying on delays at the MCU side before talking to the HMI, this start up delay is important to get right, but best practice is to use proper two-way handshaking to let the MCU know when … Read more...

Amateur Radio K3NG Rotator Controller Nextion HMI Satellites

Yaesu G-5500 Ground Rail Fault & Better Voltage Drop Fix

August 4, 2021 by admin

Adam’s Yaesu G-5500 stopped working 🙁

Meter lamps came on, but non responsive otherwise.

An open circuit diode was found, D3, so no 0V GND rail existed.
Easy to find using an ordinary DMM.

A better method of eliminating the voltage drop problem across R10 20 ohm 5W resistor (that feeds +12V to the External Control connector) was suggested by … Read more...

Amateur Radio K3NG Rotator Controller Nextion HMI

VK4GHZ Nextion for K3NG Rotator Controller

July 3, 2021 by admin

Update 25-October-2021: V2021-10-23 added

Nextion for K3NG Rotator Controller features:

Available for:
• NX8048K070 7.0″ Enhanced HMI
• NX8048K050 5.0″ Enhanced HMI
• NX4832K035 3.5″ Enhanced HMI
• NX4024K032 3.2″ Enhanced HMI (limited functionality)

• Numeric Azimuth and elevation display
• Gauges Azimuth and elevation display
• BIG gauges display
• CCW/CW/Up/Down rotator control
• Configurable preset positions with … Read more...

Amateur Radio K3NG Rotator Controller

Nextion for K3NG Rotator Controller Update 2021-06-29

June 29, 2021 by admin

This update introduces a new page for a large Azimuth only gauge.

Two alternate Azimuth gauge backgrounds can accommodate both close-in terrestrial VHF/UHF work or world-wide HF operation.

Change log:

V2021-06-29

Note:
* This update will reset your existing Nextion settings stored in EEPROM
Make a note of any preset Az & name tags, UDF name tags, and config

Amateur Radio K3NG Rotator Controller

How to fix serial GPS ‘Crazy Mouse’ Syndrome

June 23, 2021 by admin

Adam walks you through how to fix ‘Crazy Mouse’ syndrome.

This is when your PC misinterprets serial NMEA GPS data as mouse data by the serial port enumerator, resulting in erratic mouse cursor activity.

Amateur Radio K3NG Rotator Controller Nextion HMI

Custom Big Az gauge for 3.5″ K3NG Nextion

May 20, 2021 by admin

In the next VK4GHZ Nextion for K3NG Rotator Controller NX4832K035 release (V2021-05-21) I’ll include the ability to toggle between the standard Big Az Gauge and your own custom gauge background.

This was inspired by the great idea of Andrej, S56VLV.

Switching to a custom azimuth background image is achieved with a long touch at the center of the Big Az … Read more...

Amateur Radio K3NG Rotator Controller Nextion HMI

Custom Big Az gauge for 5.0″ K3NG Nextion

May 19, 2021 by admin

In the next VK4GHZ Nextion for K3NG Rotator Controller NX8048K050 release (V2021-05-21) I’ll include the ability to toggle between the standard Big Az Gauge and your own custom gauge background.

This was inspired by the great idea of Andrej, S56VLV.

Switching to a custom azimuth background image is achieved with a long touch at the center of the Big Az … Read more...

Amateur Radio K3NG Rotator Controller Nextion HMI

Nextion for K3NG Rotator Controller Update 2021-05-09

May 9, 2021 by admin

Both 3.5″ and 5.0″ Nextion touchscreens for the K3NG Rotator Controller receive an update.

This release also introduces a new “no frills” version for the NX4024_K032 3.2″ Enhanced Nextion HMI.

Change log:

V2021-05-10
Already!

3.2 " Fix: 
• Parking page - touching Return button showed another button image.
And why did I only notice this whilst watching the video?

Amateur Radio K3NG Rotator Controller Nextion HMI

Nextion for K3NG Rotator Controller Update 2021-04-06-01

April 11, 2021 by admin

Both 3.5″ and 5.0″ Nextion touchscreens for the K3NG Rotator Controller receive an update.

Change log as follows:

V2021-04-06-01

Change:
• Splash page - timer 'tmrReadySC' (that waits xxx mS before expecting to see
  global system capabilities data from MCU) timing has been increased/relaxed.
  5.0" 250 mS to 500 mS 
  3.5" 250 mS to 450 mS
  To accommodate MCUs that

Amateur Radio K3NG Rotator Controller Nextion HMI

Nextion for K3NG Rotator Controller Update 2021-03-23-01

March 23, 2021 by admin

Both 3.5″ and 5.0″ Nextion touchscreens for the K3NG Rotator Controller receive an update.

Change log as follows:

V2021-03-23-01

New:
• BigGauges page featuring larger Az/El gauges.
  Intended for manual (non tracking) operation ie; similar to using a real Yaesu G-5500 controller.
  Gauges made as large as possible, so there aint no room for tracking status icons etc!

• BigGauges

Amateur Radio K3NG Rotator Controller Satellites

Fixing Yaesu G 5550 13V External Control Rail Voltage Drop

March 18, 2021 by admin

Adam looks at why the 13V rail appearing on the Yaesu G-5500’s External Control connector drops so much when a Rotator Controller board and 5.0″ Nextion are powered off this rail.

The rear of the Yaesu controller has an ‘External Control’ port, intended to connect to a computer interface.