For you gadgeteers and tinkerers out there is a an interesting deal at
www.surpluscenter,com item #5-1459 "Rotary Actuator w/Controller $89.95.
This is actually a satellite dish pointing system designed for marine
use mfg by Lockheed and sold by a company called Futuretrac. You can see
the background by Googling up that name and drilling down about 10 pages.
The system is no longer in production and is being sold thru various
scavengers. I bought a complete system with all the bells and whistles for
$800 last year and was greatly impressed by the quality of construction. I
have seen mil spec items not as sophisticated and well thought out. I have
not installed it yet and can not vouch for its performance but when I
attempted to buy critical spares from the vendor I purchased it form, He
stated that he had only replaced several power supplies in the 80 or so
units he had sold over the past year.
The Surplus center item is missing the antenna, feed horn, and actuator
mount but does have the controller, remote control(essential for setup and
operation) and control cables and connectors. I have spoken with the
surplus center and they are including a copy of the operations manual also
essential. The manual states that the unit will perform well at anchor and
underway in moderate seas. It will track both Direct TV and Dish
satellites. My original unit has a lightweight fiberglass dish but the
manual states that the unit will handle up to a 24" metal dish. the manual
also states that the unit will operate a 12vdc but prefers the 15vdc
provided by the included ac/dc power supply(not in the Surplus center offering)
The Surplus center also offers just the actuator for $49.95. I bought both
and now have essentially three units. They claim to have about 170 in stock
as of this date.
So for the venturesome drag out some aluminium scraps, a hack saw and have
at it.
Usual disclaimers and naturally no guarantees!
Larry Ropka
"Charis" abuilding
Ft Walton beach FL