M2 Antenna Systems RC2800PRKX1SU User manual

M2 Antenna Systems, Inc. 4402 N. Selland Ave. Fresno, CA 93722
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Web: www.m2inc.com
©2022 M2 Antenna Systems Incorporated 6.09.22
Rev.01
M2 Antenna Systems, Inc.
Model No: RC2800PRKX1SU
SINGLE AXIS CONTROLLER
SPECIFICATIONS
MODEL NUMBER .................................................... RC2800PRKX1SU
POWER REQUIREMENTS...................................... 97-240 VAC @ 12A
ENCLOSURE SIZE .................................................. W=19” / H=5.25” / D=10”
COLOR..................................................................... Black Anodized
POINTING ACCURACY ........................................... <0.1°
READOUT ACCURACY........................................... <0.3°
MINIMUM COMMANDED MOTION......................... >0.25°
DIGIT SIZE ............................................................... 0.5” Heading / .375” Mode / Speed
CONTROL SWITCHES ............................................ Tactile 0.5” Diameter
MICROPROCESSOR TYPE .................................... “Microchip” PIC18F2520-I/SP
CONTROLS.............................................................. Power Switch, ON / OFF
Speed Buttons, Increments 1-9
Clockwise & Counterclockwise Buttons
Up & Down Mode Buttons
MODES..................................................................... (3) Operational Run Modes / (10) Presets
STANDARD OUTPUT VOLTAGE............................ POL 48VDC 6.7A
COMPUTER INTERFACE........................................ RS232 Port
Advanced OperationsController Oveview Connections / Start UP Trouble Shooting
FEATURES
The M2 RC2800PRKX1SU is our Mid Grade rack-mount controller. The RC2800PRKX1SU was developed for “Commercial Grade”
Polarity Pedestal Models.
The M2 RC2800PRKX1SU uses a Microchip PIC18F2520-I/SP for Micro processing user commands, M2 software and EEprom for
memory. User modes include: (3) Operational / Run Modes and (10) programmable presets.
The M2 RC2800PRKX1SU uses PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) for speed control, allowing for full torque at the slowest input
speed. Location heading from the motor assembly is supplied via an Open Loop Circuit to the controllers’ microprocessor.
The M2 RC2800PRKX1SU software also includes a full GUI software for setup and run modes and a Interface Control Document
(ICD) is supplied with the RC2800PRKX1SU.
Computer interface to the RC2800PRKX1SU is via an RS232 port.

RC2800PRKX1SU PARTS & HARDWARE
DESCRIPTION QTY
RC2800PRKX1SU, SINGLE AXIS CONTROLLER ..................................... 1
ENCLOSER HANDLES AND HARDWARE ................................................. 2
POWER CORD, 120VAC 10A .................................................................... 1
RUBBER FEET............................................................................................ 4
FUSE, 5 AMP 250V ..................................................................................... 5

ON/OFF (POWER)
This button controls AC power to the control unit.
DIGITAL DISPLAY & DIGITS
#1: (full left) shows the selected MODE for operation or programming.
#2: Indicates the Positioner travel SPEED in relative numbers from 0 to 9.
#3: Indicates an “. Or -” for a limit zone or a digit when programming in a high gear ratio.
#4,5,6,7: Indicates HEADINGS, Azimuth / Elevation / Polarity, in degrees and programming data.
“MODE” BUTTONS
The MODE buttons are used to cycle through and select among (5) operational or RUN modes and 10 PRESETS.
See RUN MODES and PROGRAM MODE details following this section.
“SPEED” BUTTONS
The SPEED buttons control the positioner’s rate of speed in relative increments. “1” is the slowest speed, “9” is
the fastest. The top button increases the speed, the lower button decreases the speed. The lowest speed
available DEFAULTS to “1”, but can be set to any number between “1” and “9” in the supplied M2 Setup Utility
Software. Speeds can be altered for travel in any of the run modes.
“CONTROL” BUTTONS
The “CW” and “CCW” or “UP” or “DOWN” buttons, activate the positioners’ direction in MODE “0”, MODE “1”
and MODE “2”. These buttons are also used for “Auto Cal” and “Cal Home Heading.”
FRONT PANEL CONTROL OVERVIEW
Digital Display
Power Switch
Speed Buttons
Mode Buttons
Control Buttons

REAR PANEL OVERVIEW
Terminal Strip
Main
AC In
RS232/USB
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
“AC IN”
The supplied (3) prong AC cord plugs into this socket. Connect to a reliable 115 or 230 VAC source. The unit is supplied with
switching power supplies that operate from 86VAC to 240VAC.
“MOTOR PROTECTION FUSE”
This fuse provides electrical protection to the positioner. Replace this fuse with a 125VAC 5A fuse.
“RS232” INTERFACE PORT
This is a standard (9) pin female (DB9) connector for linking to a computer for automated control. Do not use a null modem
cable for this application.
This particular unit, has 1 RS232 port for positioner operations.
“TERMINAL STRIP”
The (12) position terminal strip, serves as your multi-conductor cable interface to the positioner unit. The cable supplies pow-
er and data from the positioner. Your ground connection is terminal #12. DISCONNECT THE AC POWER CORD WHEN
CONNECTING CABLE LEADS.
RC2800PRKX2SUMC UNITS WITH HEATER:
If your RC2800PRKX1SU control unit has the add on power supply, please see wiring designations on Terminals 6 & 7. The
Heater power supply is powered on at all times. *Note, the heater is thermostatically controlled.
TERMINAL NUMBER FUNCTION SUGGESTED COLOR MINIMUM WIRE GAUGE
#1 MOTOR BLACK 16 AWG
#2 MOTOR WHITE 16 AWG
#3 (NOT USED)
#4 (NOT USED)
#5 (NOT USED)
#6 HEATER (+) LEAD RED (IF SUPPLIED) 16 AWG
#7 HEATER (-) LEAD BLACK (IF SUPPLIED) 16 AWG
#8 (NOT USED)
#9 (NOT USED)
#10 REED SWITCH DC + ORANGE 24 AWG
#11 REED SWITCH RETURN BLUE 24 AWG
#12 CASE GROUND BARE NA
((12) POSITION TERMINAL STRIP ASSIGNMENTS

RUN MODES:
Modes 0, 1 and 2 are all run modes capable of activating the positioner in both the CCW / DWN and CW / UP
direction.
MODE 0 = MANUAL OPERATION MODE:
Pushing the CCW button activates the positioner in the Counter Clockwise direction, and the Heading count will
go down. Pushing the CW button activates the positioner in the Clockwise direction, and the Heading count will
go up. Pressing the UP button activates a specific positioner in the Upward direction and the Heading count will
go up. Pressing the DWN button activates the positioner in the Downward direction and the Heading count will
go down. The positioner runs while CCW / DWN or CW / UP button is depressed, ramping up from minimum
programmed speed to the maximum (9) and then again ramping down to speed (1). When reversing
direction, there is a 2-3 second delay before the positioner is activated. This delay reduces stress on your
antenna and positioner. *This Mode can also be initiated from the M2 Setup Utility Software. *See the M2
Setup Utility usage page for more details.
NOTE:
Rotation direction, i.e., CCW / DWN or CW / UP is defined as if you are looking down on the positioner /
antenna from above.
MODE 1 = SERVICE / MAINTENANCE MODE:
When the Service / Maintenance Mode is initiated, the controller will not respond to any computer commands.
This allows service or maintenance issues to be addressed without the danger of the service technician being
injured. While in Mode 1, the controller can be commanded with both the CCW/DWN or CW/UP buttons to put
the positioner or positioners’ into a stowed position for service or repair. When service is completed, the control
unit must be placed back into MODE 0 (from controller panel) for computer commands.
MODE 2 = PRESET MODE:
Preset mode is another Service / Maintenance oriented mode. When the Preset Mode is initiated, the controller
will not respond to any computer commands. Again this allows service or maintenance issues to be addressed
without injury. The user can program up to (10) Presets per Axis for use in stowing or rotating the positioner or
positioners’ to a known heading for service or repair. Preset headings are programmed into the controller with
the use of the supplied M2 Setup Utility Software. Once the presets are programmed, the user selects with the
CCW / DWN and CW / UP buttons. Motion is initiated to the displayed preset heading after selecting the preset
and NOT pressing any button for 3 seconds. When service is completed, the control unit must be placed back
into MODE 0 (from controller panel) for computer commands.
USER DEFINED PRESETS
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
ELEVATION “PRESET” HEADINGS
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
AZIMUTH “PRESET” HEADINGS
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
POLARITY “PRESET” HEADINGS
BASIC OPERATIONS / RUN MODE DESCRIPTIONS

MINIMUM COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS AND HARDWARE:
500 MHz Intel Pentium II or equivalent Computer (Preferably a Laptop)
256 MB of RAM / 1MB of Disk Space
Windows 98 / XP / Straight through DB9 RS232 Serial Cable
INSTALLING THE M2 SETUP UTILITY SOFTWARE:
In most cases the controller will be pre-configured at the factory. Insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive. Follow
the simple onscreen instructions. The software will walk you through each step of the installation.
Start the M2 Setup Utility by double clicking the desktop Icon. To get familiar with your software take a moment to
look over the utility overview.
M2 SETUP UTILITY OVERVIEW:
Rotator Type: Set Azimuth to either (S--center) or (N
-center), Elevation to either (90°) or (180°) or
Polarity Mode.
Pulse Divisor: Sets the divide ratio if needed to
change from the defaults. This will require a
calibration of the system if this is changed.
Set Heading: Used to manually set the heading to
the current known physical location.
Auto Cal: Used to automatically calibrate the
heading by moving the positioner to either the CCW /
DWN or CW / UP limit switch location. Note: During
Auto Cal the positioner WILL bypass the electronic
limit to find either the CCW / DWN or CW / UP limit
switch.
Rotator Location / Port: Selects the COM port to
use for connection to the controller. Press the
CONNECT button to connect.
MOTOR SETTINGS:
Motor Timeout: If the controller does not sense that
the positioner has moved “1” degree in this time, an
Error (E1) will be generated.
Max Speed: The motor will ramp up to this speed
as its maximum. The speed is in 10% increments of
PWM at 1.2 KHz.
Min Speed: The motor will start at, and ramp down to this speed. The Min speed MUST be set high enough to
keep the motor running to provide “1” degree motion with the MOTOR TIMEOUT value.
Ramp Time: The amount of time spent in each speed increment as it ramps up and down.
Rev Delay: The number of seconds that the controller will force between a reversal from the front panel.
Current Heading: This display is the result of the Poll command response. The heading values are sent from the
controller along with the Status and ID bytes.
M2 SETUP UTILITY INSTALLATION & OVERVIEW

New Heading: Change or type the desired heading
value and click on “Go.” The “Stop” command will
immediately stop the current motion.
Change ID: Changes the ID Byte as stored in the
controller. This can be used to identify a specific
controller board and controller based upon your
usage.
Limit Travel: A graphical representation of allowable
range of the motion as defined by the current po-
sitioner type and the Soft Limits set in the Limit Travel
spinners located just below the graphic.
Limit Switches: CCW / DWN or CW / UP defines
the number of degrees and tenths that the
CCW / DWN or CW / UP limit switch is physically
located from the known start heading.
Initial Cal Heading: This defines the known starting
location in degrees. Normally a fixed location within
your standard travel pattern.
Find Hard Limit: Once the determined hard limit is
chosen, whether it be CCW / DWN or CW / UP,
pressing the Find Hard Limit will run the positioner at
the slowest speed until it trips the limit switch.
The measured CCW / DWN or CW / UP limit switch
value will then be saved in the controller for use by
the Auto Cal Function.
Display Brightness: Changes the brightness level of the LED Display.
Firmware Version: Displays the current firmware from the controller when connected.
Read Settings: Button that will read the settings from the controller and re-populate the SETUP window.
Write Settings: Writes any changes made to values in the SETUP Utility window that do NOT have their own
“Change Button.” All values are re-read after a Write Settings.
Save to File: Saves the current settings into a file for later recall and writing to a controller. This is a backup
mechanism so that you may save each controller’s settings into separately named files and recall them for later
use should the controller need to be replaced, or otherwise restored.
Read from File: Reads the saved values from the specified file. Use Write Settings after a read in order to
restore the values back into a controller.
Reset from File: Reads the saved values from the specified file. Use Write Settings after a read in order to
restore the values back into a controller.
Presets: Reads the (10) current presets from the controller and displays them for change. You may change only
one preset at a time with the Preset Window.
M2 SETUP UTILITY OVERVIEW CONTINUED...

Each Axis of the RC2800PRKX3SU needs to be configured for a spectrum of use and position of limits. The
programmable limits in the RC2800PRKX3SU control, give the ability to specify the amount of travel around a
spectrum of use. The AZ/EL/POL 3 axis positioner has physical limits CCW / DWN and CW / UP. The limits
provide physical stops for safety due to control box failure. The CCW / DWN or CW / UP limits also create a
reference return for each axis when using the “Auto cal” feature during Remote/computer or manual control.
Below we have provided a visual explanation of some common axis configurations complete with suggested
electrical and physical limits and spectrum of use.
AZIMUTH AXIS OPTION #2
Characteristics
Spectrum of use: 240°
Over travel amount: 20°
SU Designation: Azimuth (S-center)
OVERVIEW:
This azimuth configuration may be used when
less than 360° of travel is necessary with a
southern espouser and avoids limits where most
of the operations are being preformed. Note the
position of the Physical limit switches, they are
on the outside of the electrical limits. Again, this
provides safety when and if a control box fails.
AZIMUTH AXIS OPTION #1
Characteristics: Azimuth (S-Center)
Spectrum of use: + 360°
Over travel amount: 12°
SU Designation: Azimuth (S-center)
OVERVIEW:
This azimuth configuration may be used when
360° of travel is necessary with primarily a
southern espouser and avoids limits where most
of the operations are being preformed. Note the
position of the Physical limit switches, they are
on the outside of the electrical limits. Ultimately,
this provides safety when and if a control box
fails.
VIEWED FROM THE
TOP OF THE SYSTEM
LOOKING DOWN
CW PHYSICAL LIMIT –.6°
CW ELECTRICAL LIMIT –.3°
CCW PHYSICAL LIMIT –.357°
CCW ELECTRICAL LIMIT –.349°
CCW ELECTRICAL LIMIT 70°
CCW PHYSICAL LIMIT 60°
CW ELECTRICAL LIMIT 290°
CW PHYSICAL LIMIT 300°
VIEWED FROM THE
TOP OF THE SYSTEM
LOOKING DOWN
AZIMUTH SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

AZIMUTH AXIS OPTION #3
Characteristics
Spectrum of use: + 360°
Over travel amount: 12°
SU Designation: Azimuth (N-Center)
OVERVIEW:
This azimuth configuration may be used when
360° of travel is necessary with primarily a
northern espouser and avoids limits where most
of the operations are being preformed. Note the
position of the Physical limit switches, they are
on the outside of the electrical limits. Ultimately,
this provides safety when and if a control box
fails.
AZIMUTH AXIS OPTION #4
Characteristics
Spectrum of use: + 240°
Over travel amount: 10°
SU Designation: Azimuth (N-Center)
OVERVIEW:
This azimuth configuration may be used when
240° of travel is necessary with primarily a
northern espouser and avoids limits where most
of the operations are being preformed. Note the
position of the Physical limit switches, they are
on the outside of the electrical limits. Ultimately,
this provides safety when and if a control box
fails.
EAST WEST
CCW ELECTRICAL LIMIT –.174°
CCW PHYSICAL LIMIT –.177°
CW ELECTRICAL LIMIT –.183°
CW PHYSICAL LIMIT –.186°
VIEWED FROM THE TOP
OF THE SYSTEM
LOOKING DOWN
WEST
CCW PHYSICAL LIMIT 235°
CCW ELECTRICAL LIMIT 240°
EAST
CW PHYSICAL LIMIT 125°
CW ELECTRICAL LIMIT 120°
VIEWED FROM THE TOP
OF THE SYSTEM
LOOKING DOWN
AZIMUTH SYSTEM CONFIGURATION CONTINUE...

ELEVATION AXIS OPTION #1
Characteristics
Spectrum of use: 0° to 90° plus
Over travel amount: 10°
SU Designation: Elevation 90°
OVERVIEW:
This Elevation configuration is used as standard
throughout the industry and may be used when
0° to 90° of travel is necessary. Note the position
of the Physical limit switches, they are on the
outside of the electrical limits. Ultimately this
provides safety when and if a control box may
fail.
VIEWED FROM THE
SIDE OF THE
SYSTEM
UP PHYSICAL LIMIT .105°
DWN ELECTRICAL LIMIT –.5°
DWN PHYSICAL LIMIT –.10°
UP ELECTRICAL LIMIT .100°
ELEVATION AXIS OPTION #1
Characteristics
Spectrum of use: 0° to 180° plus
Over travel amount: 10°
SU Designation: Elevation 180°
OVERVIEW:
This Elevation configuration is used as standard
throughout the industry and may be used when
0° to 180° of travel is necessary. Note the
position of the Physical limit switches, they are
on the outside of the electrical limits. Ultimately
this provides safety when and if a control box
may fail.
*Note due to your dish or antenna size, there
may be limitations of the overall range above
125°.
HORIZON HORIZON
DWN ELECTRICAL LIMIT –.5°
DWN PHYSICAL LIMIT –.10°
VIEWED FROM THE
SIDE OF THE
SYSTEM
UP ELECTRICAL LIMIT .180°
UP PHYSICAL LIMIT .185°
ELEVATION SYSTEM CONFIGURATION