Hy-Gain YRC-3 User manual

YRC-3 Digital Antenna
Rotator Controller
With Memories
For
Yaesu Rotators
Model YRC-3 Instruction Manual
308 Industrial Park Road
Starkville, MS 39759 USA

YRC-3 Yaesu Digital Antenna Rotator Controller
2 Version 0

YRC-3 Yaesu Digital Antenna Rotator Controller
3 Version 0
Table of Contents
Precautions....................................................................................................................................4
YRC-3 Digital Antenna Rotator Controller.....................................................................................5
YRC-3 Digital Control Unit Specifications: ................................................................................5
Installation........................................................................................................................................6
eneral Rotator Precautions.........................................................................................................6
Wiring and Check-Out..................................................................................................................6
NOTE: .......................................................................................................................................7
Operation of YRC-3 Controller .......................................................................................................9
Menu Functions ............................................................................................................................9
Menu Items................................................................................................................................9
Menu Details ...........................................................................................................................10
Manual Operation .......................................................................................................................11
MANUAL ROTATION..........................................................................................................11
HEADIN SET.......................................................................................................................11
Computer Operation ...................................................................................................................11
Software Control .....................................................................................................................12
OPERATIONAL NOTES ..........................................................................................................12
USB COMMAND SET .................................................................................................................12
Driver Installation ..........................................................................................................................13
Windows XP...............................................................................................................................13
Windows 7..................................................................................................................................13
Windows 8..................................................................................................................................14
Installing Unsigned Drivers in Windows 8 .............................................................................14
Schematic Diagram........................................................................................................................16
Block Diagram ...............................................................................................................................18
How to et Factory Service...........................................................................................................19
12-MONTH LIMITED WARRANTY..........................................................................................19
Yaesu is a registered trademark of Yaesu Musen Co., LTD. This product is not manufactured or serviced by Yaesu.
Windows, Windows P, Windows 7 and Windows 8 are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

YRC-3 Yaesu Digital Antenna Rotator Controller
4 Version 0
Precautions
Towers and antennas require caution
during erection and placement! Extreme
care must be taken during erection so
that metal tower and antenna parts DO
NOT contact power lines, even i the
parts slip, rotate, retract, all or racture!
Antenna position mechanisms (towers
and rotators) must be placed so that i
they ail, the parts o the antenna system
cannot contact power lines, be a hazard
to individuals, or endanger property.
The YRC-3 Control Unit is not weatherproof and
must be located in a house or other protected
location. Connect a ground wire to the terminal on
the back of the YRC-3.
Metal towers must be grounded properly
at the tower location be ore the tower is
erected. This is to minimize electrical
hazard and reduces the possibility o
lightning damage. DO NOT bury bare
aluminum wires or stakes in the ground.
Use copper or copper-clad ground
stakes. The service entrance ground
should be checked. The household
electrical outlet should be the 3-prong
type (grounded back to the service
entrance). Follow all local building codes
and the NFPA National Electric Codes
or grounding.
The YRC-3 has been carefully designed and
manufactured to give many years of trouble-free
service when carefully and professionally installed.
It consists of the strongest and best commercially
available components. This product is
manufactured in the U.S.A.

YRC-3 Yaesu Digital Antenna Rotator Controller
5 Version 0
YRC-3 Digital Antenna Rotator Controller
The YRC-3 digital control unit features a
Large LCD display indicating the beam
heading, manual and computer controlled
beam heading selection, and manual
rotation controls.
Settings in memory include brake delay,
rotator coast control, North and South
center headings, adjustable sleep time, and
call sign display.
The YRC-3 is designed as a replacement
controller for both AC and DC Yaesu rotators
and will work with the following Rotators:
-450
-650
-800/SA/DXA
-1000SA/DXA
-2800DXA
YRC-3 Digital Control Unit Speci ications:
Size 4.125” x 8.5” x 9”
Weight 6.25 lbs. (2.84 Kg)
Voltage 120VAC or 240VAC (optional YRC-3X)
Coast Delay 0-10 seconds DEFAULT 0
Sleep Delay 1-255 minutes or continuous ON DEFAULT 10
Figure 1. Front Panel Figure 2. Back Panel
Front Panel Controls
POWER Power ON/OFF
LEFT Manually rotate left/CCW
RI HT Manually rotate right/CW
HEADIN SET/MENU Set the locally
controlled antenna heading or bearing.
Pushing in the “HEADING SET” selects any
menu or the menu function selected or
executes the menu function.
ROTATE Instructs the controller to
rotate the antenna to the locally set heading.
MEM 1-6 Memory storage.
Back Panel Connections
ROUND Chassis ground
FUSE Protective fuse
USB USB COM Port
RS-232 RS-232 COM Port
ROTATOR OUT Rotator connections
POWER 120 VAC Input
(240VAC Input optional)

YRC-3 Yaesu Digital Antenna Rotator Controller
6 Version 0
Installation
The YRC-3 is designed to be a replacement
controller for the standard Yaesu controllers
and most likely a new install is not being
done. Even so when installing or working on
the rotator follow the Yaesu instructions for
installation of the rotator to insure proper
installation and operation.
General Rotator Precautions
1. Unbalanced weight: Weight should be as
closely balanced as possible.
Unbalanced weight in an antenna creates
a bending moment of force which is
concentrated on the mast at the point
where it is clamped to the rotator.
2. Wind Pressure: Balanced wind pressure
against the antenna system produces a
bending force on the mast which can
cause the same stresses as unbalanced
weight. To minimize these forces, a
thrust bearing should be used where
possible, the antenna should be as close
to the top of the tower as possible and
the rotator shelf should be as low as
possible
3. Unbalanced Wind: If the antenna has
unequal wind areas and element spacing
on each side of the mast attachment
point, it could produce torque on the
support mast. This is similar to the
principle of a weather vane. If the
unbalance is high enough or the wind
velocity is high enough, this could
prevent rotation or could damage the
limit switches. To minimize this effect,
the antenna should be designed for
minimum mast torque or "torque
compensators" added to produce
minimum mast torque.
4. Mast Binding: If the antenna support
mast binds within the tower due to ice
accumulation or other reasons, this could
prevent rotation
5. Extreme Cold: If the ambient
temperature is at or below -30 degrees F,
this could prevent rotation
The YRC-3 checks for rotator movement
upon giving the command to rotate and if no
movement is detected within 8 seconds, it
will stop trying to rotate and the display will
flash MOTOR above the main heading
display.
Some of the older controllers used different
connectors that have a different pin order
but same numbers, follow the numbers.
Wire using the diagram below. Newer rotor
connectors have 7 pins. Pin 7 is not used.
Wiring and Check-Out
The YRC-3 is designed to be a replacement
controller for the standard Yaesu controller.
To this point the wiring should be as simple
as unplugging from the old controller and
plugging into the YRC-3.
The pins of the plastic connector and the
rotator connector correspond, that is 1 to 1
and so on. Pin 7 on the metal rotator
connector is not used. Refer to the Yaesu
manual for more wiring details.
Figure 3. Connector Pinout
Pinout:
1 Heading Pot High (not used)
2 Heading Pot Wiper
3 Heading Pot ND
4 Motor DC or AC Left
5 Motor DC or AC Right
6 Motor AC Common

YRC-3 Yaesu Digital Antenna Rotator Controller
7 Version 0
CAUTION:
Shorts between terminals or grounded
leads may damage the rotator. Check the
numbered pins on each connector with
an Ohmmeter! Pin 1 is connected to pin
1, etc.
1. With the rotator sitting in the upright
position (either on the bench or on the
tower) and connected to the control unit
by the 6-wire cable, plug the control unit
power cord into a receptacle and turn it
on.
2. Select the type of rotator you are using
in the MODEL setup menu. -450 and
-650 are AC models and most of the
others like the -800/SA/DXA, -
1000S/SA/DXA, and the -2800DXA
are DC models.
3. The YRC-3 display should look similar
to the display shown in Figure 4. The
numeric display in the center indicates
the current bearing of your rotator. The
numeric display in the lower right corner
indicates the target bearing that is
manually set. The numeric display in the
lower left indicates target bearing that is
computer set. The character display in
the upper right corner indicates the
compass heading in “NESW” format.
The alphanumeric display in the upper
left corner is where the call sign is
displayed if programmed. If the center
display reads a steady "999", disconnect
your control cable and check the cable
wiring with an ohmmeter. The resistance
of the position sense pot measured
between pin 1 and 3 should be 500 ohms
plus the cable resistance. The reading
between pins 2 and 3 should be
somewhere between 0 and 500 ohms
depending on the heading of the rotator.
Anything much over 500 plus the
resistance of the cable indicates a
possible problem Proceed if the cable
checks OK. 999 also indicates that the
cable may not be not plugged in or the
right stop has not been set.
Figure 4. LCD Display
NOTE:
MOTO is displayed when there is no
indication of rotator movement and
CABLE indicates a cable problem.
4. Test the rotation by pressing the LEFT
or RIGHT buttons and verify that the
rotator turns in the proper direction.
During rotation the display will show the
actual heading as it turns. If operation
does not work as described, immediately
unplug the unit from the AC line and
check cable wiring!
5. Calibrate the rotation stops of the YRC-
3. Calibration is done with the
NORTHSTOP set to SOUTH. Yaesu
Rotators will turn more than 360 degrees
by about 90 degrees so you will pass 180
degrees when calibrating the right stop
and will end up at 270 degrees for the
right stop.
a. Rotate to the left manually by
pressing the LEFT button until
the rotator reaches the left
mechanical stop then release.
b. Press and hold the MENU button
until the menu is displayed.

YRC-3 Yaesu Digital Antenna Rotator Controller
8 Version 0
c. Turn the Heading Set knob if
necessary to select
“1.CALIBRATE” then press the
Heading set knob in to select the
function.
d. Turn the knob to select
“1. LEFT STOP SOUTH” then
press the Heading Set knob in
to select. You may see the
display change to 181 or 182 and
the display will say LEFT
STOP.
e. Next rotate the rotator to the right
mechanical stop using the
RIGHT button. The display may
display the antenna heading of
“999” when initially rotated to
the right stop. This is OK as long
as the left stop did not also
display the antenna heading of
“999”.
f. Press and hold the MENU button
until the menu is displayed.
g. Turn the Heading Set knob if
necessary to select
“1.CALIBRATE” then press the
Heading Set knob in to select
the function.
h. Turn the knob to select
“2. RIGHT STOP SOUTH” then
press the Heading Set knob in
to select. You should see the
display change to 270 and the
display will say RIGHT STOP.
i. After setting the LEFT or
RI HT stop use the LEFT or
RIGHT button to move the
rotator off the stop. The
controller requires it to be moved
away from the stop the first time
after calibration before it will
turn using the memory positions,
knob or computer.
6. After Calibration is complete the current
bearing display should show a number
between "000" and "359". Test the
controls by twisting the HEADING SET
knob. The LOCAL HEADING display
should change. Using the knob, select a
target bearing at least 30 degrees from
the current bearing. Push the
“ROTATE" button. The rotator should
turn to the heading plus or minus 2 or 3
degrees.
7. If this is a new installation, or you are
testing the rotator on the bench rotate the
system to the center of rotation. You are
now ready to install the rotator system in
your tower or on your mast. Refer to the
instructions in your rotator manual for
complete installation information.

YRC-3 Yaesu Digital Antenna Rotator Controller
9 Version 0
Operation of YRC-3 Controller
Menu Functions
Menu Items
1. CALIBRATE
a. 1. LEFT STOP SOUTH
b. 2. RI HT STOP SOUTH
2. OFFSET
a. Encoder sets the offset from the original setup. Dial in the amount and press the
encoder to select the change
b. 0 to 360 degrees
3. CALLSI N
a. Turn the encoder to display the character then press the encoder to select and
advance to the next character. Press a second time to save the call sign.
4. DEFAULTS
a. Resets back to original settings. Select YES or NO to reset.
b. All memory settings are retained till it is set back to Default.
5. NORTHSTOP
a. Default is NO
b. Use the encoder to select YES or NO then press the encoder.
6. SLEEP DELAY
a. Default is 10 minutes
b. Set 1 to 255 minutes or 0 for always on.
7. COAST SET
a. Default 0
b. Sets the heading that will turn off the motor before it reaches the heading so it will
coast to that heading. 0 to 10 degrees.
8. REVERSE LCD
a. Default is NORMAL where the characters are light and the background is
blue/dark.
b. REVERSE is blue/dark characters and light background.
9. MODEL TYPE
a. To select the type of rotator
b. Set to either DC or AC
10. CONTRAST
a. Set for best contrast. Range is 1 to 32 with a setting around 20 to 25 for normal
contrast.
11. EXIT
a. To leave menu mode without waiting for it ti time out and return to regular
operation.

YRC-3 Yaesu Digital Antenna Rotator Controller
10 Version 0
Menu Details
OFFSET is used to compensate for any
mechanical errors that may be in the antenna
heading. For example: if the antenna is set to
360 degrees and it is found to be actually
pointing at 355 degrees, the OFFSET can
be set to compensate for this error by
selecting the value that will show the actual
heading.
COAST SET is used to compensate for
overshoot of the heading. The inertia of
large mass antennas will cause them to pass
the desired heading and setting this
adjustment will help by turning off the
motor and let the antenna coast to the
desired spot. This will have to be tried
experimentally to find the best setting for
your antenna.
CALLSIGN is used to set up the call sign
display on the screen if desired. Select the
menu function then enter the characters by
turning the Heading Set knob to the
desired character then press the knob in to
allow selection of the next character. Once
all the characters have been entered press
the knob again to exit this mode.
NORTHSTOP Some of the older Yaesu
rotators have the mechanical stop at North
instead of South. For those rotators you will
need to invoke this function. Calibrate the
rotator with the YRC-3 set to SOUTH stop
with the calibration instructions above then
set the NORTHSTOP to NORTH by
turning the Heading Set knob to select
YES then press the knob in.
In some cases you may want your antenna
centered toward the south with the stops at
the north. If this is the case put up the
antenna pointed to the SOUTH and once
installed and ready, select this function and
turn the Heading Set knob to select YES
then press the knob in.
SLEEP DELAY is used to put the control
into a sleep mode where the LCD back light
turns off and the microprocessor goes into a
low power state. It will wake back up with
the press of any button or any command on
the COM port. Selecting this menu will
allow you to set the time from 0 to 255 in
minutes. 0 is always on. When the unit goes
to sleep the back light will turn off. Pushing
any button, turning the Heading Set, or a
computer command will wake it up.
Programs that query for the heading on a
timed basis will keep the controller awake.
REVERSE LCD changes the characters
and background from dark blue background
and white letters to a white background and
dark letters as viewed from straight on.
When viewed from a side angle or above the
display at the display viewing limits, the
characters in normal mode may look dark
with a light background. To select the
reverse mode select this menu item then turn
the Heading Set knob to say YES for reverse
or NO for normal then press the knob to
select.
MODEL TYPE sets the YRC-3 to control
either the DC Rotators like the -800 and
-1000 or AC like the -450 Rotators.
CONTRAST adjusts the contrast for best
viewing. To adjust select this menu item and
turn the heading control for best contrast.
The range is 1 to 32 with a setting around 25
near optimum depending on the display
batch received. The contrast setting may or
may not be the same setting for best contrast
between Normal and Reverse LCD. You
may need to readjust after changing the
reverse setting.