Yaesu GS-232B User manual

GS-232B
Computer Control Interface for
Antenna Rotators
YAESU MUSEN CO., LTD.
Tennozu Parkside Building
2-5-8 Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 140-0002 Japan
YAESU USA
6125 Phyllis Drive, Cypress, CA 90630, U.S.A.
YAESU UK
Unit 12, Sun Valley Business Park, Winnall Close
Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 0LB, U.K.

1
GS-232B Computer Control Interface
for Yaesu Antenna Rotators
The GS-232B provide digital control of most models of
Yaesu antenna rotatorsfrom the serial port of an external
personal computer.
The GS-232B contains its own microprocessor with a
l0-bit analog-to-digital (A-D) converter and EEPROM.
The async serial line can be configured for serial data
rates from 1200 to 9600 baud. The GS-232B has a DB-9
“male” connector for connection to the (RS-232C) COM
port of your computer. Purchase or construct a “straight”
type serial cable, ensuring it has the correct gender and
number of pins for connection to your system.
Firmware on the GS-232B supports either direct key-
board control, or commands from programs written spe-
cically to support it (software is not supplied by Yaesu).
In addition to reading and setting antenna angle and ro-
tation speed, the firmware includes clocked positioning
General Description
routines to automatically step the antenna through up to
3800 angles at programmable intervals, such as for track-
ing band openings or satellites (with an elevation rotator).
Please read this manual carefully to install the GS-232B.
If also installing a G-400, G-500A or G-550 with the
GX-500 Automatic Control Adapter, follow the proce-
dures in the GX-500 manual before installing the GS-
232B.

G-800DXA/G-1000DXA/G-2800DXA Azimuth Rotator,
G-800DXC/G-1000DXC/G-2800DXC Azimuth Rotator,
G-400 Azimuth Rotator,
G-500A/G-550 Elevation Rotator,
G-5400B/G-5600B/G-5500 Az-ElRotator, and
above Azimuth and Elevation rotator combination.
G-400 Azimuth Rotator and G-500A/G-550 Elevation Ro-
tator requires one GX-500 Automatic Control Adapter each.

2
General
Power Requirements: DC 12 V, 70 mA
Case Size: 4.3” (W) x 0.8” (H) x 5.4” (D)
(110 x 21 x 138 mm)
Weight (approx.): 13.4 oz. (380 g)
Operating Temperature: +32 °F to +122 °F
(0 °C to +50 °C)
Semiconductors
Microprocessor: PIC18C452
(includes 10 bits A/D converter)
EEPROM: 24LC256
Serial Comms: RS-232C voltage levels,
1200 to 9600 baud, 8 data bits,
1 stop bit, no parity
Overow Cont.: Hardware Control (CTS port)
symbols placeD onthe equipment
“ON” power
Stand-by
Direct current
specifications
connector pinouts
Serial I/O:
9-pin DB-9 connector (RS-232C connector)
Pin 2 - Tx Data
Pin 3 - Rx Data
Pin 5 - Signal Ground
Pin 7 - RTS
Pin 8 - CTS
Rotator Control:
5-pin connector (EL connector)
Pin 1 - UP switch (open collector)
Pin 2 - DOWN switch (open collector)
Pin 3 - analog output (0.5 - 4.5 V, four steps)
Pin 4 - analog input (0-5V elevation)
Pin 5 - analog ground
5-pin connector (AZ connector)
Pin 1 - RIGHT switch (open collector)
Pin 2 - LEFT switch (open collector)
Pin 3 - analog output (0.5 - 4.5 V, four steps)
Pin 4 - analog input (0-5V azimuth)
Pin 5 - analog ground

3
supplieD accessories

Control cable for the Azimuth Rotator1..............1 pc
(“5-pin”
“Min-DIN” cable)

Control cable for the Az/ElRotator2...................1 pc
(“Dual 5-pin” “DIN” cable)

DC cable w/coaxial plug ........................................1 pc

Hook & loop fasteners (for mounting)...................1 pc
1: G-800DXA, G-1000DXA, G-2800DXA,
G-800DXC, G-1000DXC, and G-2800DXC
2: G-5400B, G-5600B, and G-5500
accessories & options
available options
C-1000 Connection Cable
(for
SDX series Azimuth Rotator)
PA-44B, PA-44C, PA-44U, PA-44H3AC Adapter
3:PA-44B: USA/EXP (Non European) Version
PA-44C: EU Version
PA-44U: UK Version
PA-44H: Australia Version

4
During installation, a personal computer with a serial port
and terminal software is required to calibrate trimmers on
the Controller and on the Control Interface. Any simple
interactive terminal program can be used - it only has to
transmit keystrokes as typed, and display characters re-
ceived from the GS-232B.
power & control connections
DXA or DXC Series Azimuth Rotator
Connect the supplied DC cable to a source of 12
VDC. The red lead connects to the Positive (+) DC
terminal, and the black lead connects to the Negative
(–) DC terminal. The GS-232B requires 70 mA. The
supplied cable has a 500-mA fast-blow fuse. Use only
the same type fuse for replacement.
Plug the coaxial power connector into the DC 12V
jack on the GS-232B rear panel.
Connect the supplied Control cable (“5-pin” “Mini-
DIN”) between the EXT CONTROL connector on
the rotator’s controller and AZ connector on the rear
panel of the GS-232B (Figure 1).
installation
To DC 12V Power Source To Serial port of the computer
DXA or DXC series
Azimuth Rotator
Figure 1

5
installation
power & control connections
G-5400B/-5600B Az-elRotator
Connect the supplied DC cable to a source of 12
VDC. The red lead connects to the Positive (+) DC
terminal, and the black lead connects to the Negative
(–) DC terminal. The GS-232B requires 70 mA. The
supplied cable has a 500-mA fast-blow fuse. Use only
the same type fuse for replacement.
Plug the coaxial power connector into the DC 12V
jack on the GS-232B rear panel.
Connect the supplied Control cable (“Dual 5-pin” 
“DIN”) between the rotator’s controller and GS-232B.
Be careful to match the “AZ” and “EL” labels on the
cable with the same labels on the rear panel of the
GS-232B (Figure 2).
G-400/G-500 or G-400/G-550 & pair of GX-500
Connect the supplied DC cable to a source of 12
VDC. The red lead connects to the Positive (+) DC
terminal, and the black lead connects to the Negative
(–) DC terminal. The GS-232B requires 70 mA. The
supplied cable has a 500-mA fast-blow fuse. Use only
the same type fuse for replacement.
Plug the coaxial power connector into the DC 12V
jack on the GS-232B rear panel.
Connect the 5-pin to 5-pin cable (supplied with the
GX-500; requires two sets) between the GX-500(s)
and GS-232B (Figure 3).
GX-500
Figure 3
To DC 12V Power Source To Serial port of the computer
To Elevation
Controller
To Elevation
Rotator
To Azimuth Controller
To Azimuth Rotator
GX-500
Figure 2
To DC 12V Power Source To Serial port of the computer
G-5400B/-5600B
or G-5500
Az/ElRotator

6
SDX Series Azimuth Rotator
Prepare the optional C-1000 Connection Cable.
Remove the Top Cover from the controller.
Connect the 8-pin connector of the C-1000 Connec-
tion cable to the exposed 8-pin connector located the
rear left corner in the controller.
Route the 5-pin connector of the C-1000 Connection
cable through out the rubber grommet on the rear pan-
el of the controller, and connect it to the AZ connector
on the rear panel of the GS-232B (Figure 4).
Replace the Top Cover.
Connect the supplied DC cable to a source of 12
VDC. The red lead connects to the Positive (+) DC
terminal, and the black lead connects to the Negative
(–) DC terminal. The GS-232B requires 70 mA. The
supplied cable has a 500-mA fast-blow fuse. Use only
the same type fuse for replacement.
Plug the coaxial power connector into the DC 12V
jack on the GS-232B rear panel.
power & control connections
installation
To DC 12V Power Source To Serial port of the computer
SDX series
Azimuth Rotator
Figure 4
Output Grommet for
C-1000 Connection Cable
Exposed 8-pin Connector
(Inside of the Controller)
Optional C-1000 Connection Cable

7
computer connection
installation
With the computer switched off, connect the DSUB-
9 pin Straight RS-232C cable to the serial port of your
computer, then connect the other end of the RS-232C
cable to the RS-232C connector on the rear panel of
the GS-232B.
Turn the computer’s power switch on, then turn the
GS-232B’s power switch on.
Within 15 seconds of swithing the GS-232B’s power,
press the [](EntEr) key several times to adjust the
GS-232B’s data baud rate to the Computer’s data
baud rate. If the computer is successul to setting the
data baud rate, the computer’s diaplay will show
“Connect OK.”
If you are using a G-400 Azimuth Rotator, or G-
5400B/G-5600B Az-ElRotator, press [P36][]
(P, 3, 6, and EntEr) on the computer keyboard to dis-
able the 450° rotation capability of the GS-232B. To
restore 450° rotation capability, press [P45][](P,
4, 5, and EntEr) on the computer keyboard.

8
DXa/DXc/sDX series azimuth rotator
Azimuth Offset Null
From the Controller panel, set the Rotator fully coun-
ter-clockwise (set to 0°).
Press
[O][](the letter “oh,” and “EntEr”) on the
computer keyboard to activate the azimuth calibration
routine. The computer display should show “are you
sure?”
Press
[Y][](“Y” and “EntEr”) on the computer
keyboard. The computer display should show “Com-
pleted,” and save the calibration data and exit the azi-
muth calibration routine.
Azimuth A-D Calibration
From the Controller panel, set the Rotator fully clock-
wise (to the right).
Press
[F][](“F” and “EntEr”) on the computer
keyboard to activate the Control Interface’s azimuth
A-D converter calibration routine. The computer’s dis-
play should show “AZ=aaa,” where “aaa” is a three-
digit number which indicates the azimuth heading in
degrees.
Adjust the OUT VOL ADJ potentiometer on Control-
ler rear panel so as to get a reading of “450” on the
computer’s display. This reading (“450 degrees”) cor-
responds to the actual beam heading you established
when you pointed the azimuth rotator to the East.
Press
[](“EntEr”) on the computer keyboard to exit
the azimuth A-D converter calibration routine.
calibration
If your controller’s indicator needle starts from a point other than 0° (North) (such as the default setting of the
USA version), align the starting point of the controller’s indicator needle to 0° (North) before calibration.
When nish the calibration, set the controller’s indicator needle to the desired point. Refer to the rotator’s user
manual for details regarding the indicator needle alignment.
Imprtant Note !

9
calibration
G-400 azimuth rotator
Azimuth Offset Null
From the Controller panel, set the Rotator fully coun-
ter-clockwise (set to 0°).
Press
[O][](the letter “oh,” and “EntEr”) on the
computer keyboard to activate the azimuth calibration
routine. The computer display should show “are you
sure?”
Press
[Y][](“Y” and “EntEr”) on the computer
keyboard. The computer display should show “Com-
pleted,” and save the calibration data and exit the azi-
muth calibration routine.
Azimuth A-D Calibration
From the Controller panel, set the Rotator fully clock-
wise (to the right).
Press
[F][](“F” and “EntEr”) on the computer
keyboard to activate the Control Interface’s azimuth
A-D converter calibration routine. The computer’s dis-
play should show “AZ=aaa,” where “aaa” is a three-
digit number which indicates the azimuth heading in
degrees.
Adjust the FULL SCALE ADJ on the GX-500 so as
to get a reading of “180” on the computer’s display.
This reading (“180 degrees”) corresponds to the actual
beam heading you established when you pointed the
azimuth rotator to the South (the fully clockwise set-
ting).
Press
[](“EntEr”) on the computer keyboard to exit
the azimuth A-D converter calibration routine.

10
G-5400b/-5600b az-elrotator
Azimuth Offset Null
From the Controller panel, set the Rotator fully coun-
ter-clockwise (set to 0°).
Press
[O][](the letter “oh,” and “EntEr”) on the
computer keyboard to activate the azimuth calibration
routine. The computer display should show “are you
sure?”
Press
[Y][](“Y” and “EntEr”) on the computer
keyboard. The computer display should show “Com-
pleted,” and save the calibration data and exit the azi-
muth calibration routine.
calibration
Azimuth A-D Calibration
From the Controller panel, set the Azimuth Rotator
fully clockwise (to the right).
Press
[F][](“F” and “EntEr”) on the computer
keyboard to activate the Control Interface’s azimuth
A-D converter calibration routine. The computer’s dis-
play should show “AZ=aaa,” where “aaa” is a three-
digit number which indicates the azimuth heading in
degrees.
Adjust the OUT VOL ADJ potentiometer on the
“Azimuth” (left) side of the Controller rear panel so as
to get a reading of “180” on the computer’s display.
This reading (“180 degrees”) corresponds to the actual
beam heading you established when you pointed the
azimuth rotator to the South.
Press
[](“EntEr”) on the computer keyboard to exit
the azimuth A-D converter calibration routine.

11
calibration
G-5400b/-5600b az-elrotator
Elevation Offset Null
From the Controller panel, set the Elevation Rotator to
the “left” horizon (down, set to 0°).
Press
[O2][](the letter “oh,” “2,” and “EntEr”)
on the computer keyboard to activate the elevation
calibration routine. The computer display should show
“are you sure?”
Press
[Y][](“Y” and “EntEr”) on the computer
keyboard. The computer display should show “Com-
pleted,” and save the calibration data and exit the el-
evation calibration routine.
Elevation A-D Calibration
From the Controller panel, set the Elevation Rotator to
full scale (180°: “right” horizon).
Press
[F2][](F, 2, and EntEr) on the computer
keyboard to activate the Control Interface’s elevation
A-D converter calibration routine. The computer will
display “AZ=aaa EL=eee,” where “eee” is a three-
digit number which indicates the elevation heading in
degrees. For the purposes of this alignment, you may
ignore the (azimuth) “aaa” numbers.
Adjust the OUT VOL ADJ potentiometer on the “El-
EvAtion” (right) side of the Controller rear panel so as
to get a reading of “180” on the computer’s display.
This reading (“180 degrees”) corresponds to the actual
beam heading you established when you pointed the
elevation rotator to the 180° position.
Press
[](“EntEr”) on the computer keyboard to exit
the elevation A-D converter calibration routine.

12
G-5500 az-elrotator
Azimuth A-D Calibration
From the Controller panel, set the Azimuth Rotator
fully clockwise (to the right).
Press
[F][](F and EntEr) on the computer key-
board to activate the Control Interface’s azimuth A-D
converter calibration routine. The computer’s display
should show “AZ=aaa,” where “aaa” is a three-digit
number which indicates the azimuth heading in de-
grees.
Adjust the OUT VOL ADJ potentiometer on the
“Azimuth” (left) side of the Controller rear panel so as
to get a reading of “450” on the computer’s display.
This reading (“450: 360 degrees + 90 degrees”) cor-
responds to the actual beam heading you established
when you pointed the azimuth rotator fully clockwise.
Press
[](“EntEr”) on the computer keyboard to exit
the azimuth A-D converter calibration routine.
calibration
Azimuth Offset Null
From the Controller panel, set the Rotator fully coun-
ter-clockwise (set to 0°).
Press
[O][](the letter “oh,” and “EntEr”) on the
computer keyboard to activate the azimuth calibration
routine. The computer display should show “are you
sure?”
Press
[Y][](“Y” and “EntEr”) on the computer
keyboard. The computer display should show “Com-
pleted,” and save the calibration data and exit the azi-
muth calibration routine.

13
calibration
G-5500 az-elrotator
Elevation Offset Null
Press
[O2][](the letter “oh,” “2,” and “EntEr”)
on the computer keyboard to activate the elevation
calibration routine. The computer display should show
“are you sure?”
Press
[Y][](“Y” and “EntEr”) on the computer
keyboard. The computer display should show “Com-
pleted,” and save the calibration data and exit the el-
evation calibration routine.
Elevation A-D Calibration
From the Controller panel, set the Elevation Rotator to
full scal (180°: “right” horizon).
Press
[F2][](F, 2, and EntEr) on the computer
keyboard to activate the Control Interface’s elevation
A-D converter calibration routine. The computer will
display “AZ=aaa EL=eee,” where “eee” is a three-
digit number which indicates the elevation heading in
degrees. For the purposes of this alignment, you may
ignore the (azimuth) “aaa” numbers.
Adjust the OUT VOL ADJ potentiometer on the “El-
EvAtion” (right) side of the Controller rear panel so as
to get a reading of “180” on the computer’s display.
This reading (“180 degrees”) corresponds to the actual
beam heading you established when you pointed the
elevation rotator to the 180° position.
Press
[](“EntEr”) on the computer keyboard to exit
the elevation A-D converter calibration routine.

14
G-500 elevation rotator
Elevation Offset Null
Press
[O2][](the letter “oh,” “2,” and “EntEr”)
on the computer keyboard to activate the elevation
calibration routine. The computer display should show
“are you sure?”
Press
[Y][](“Y” and “EntEr”) on the computer
keyboard. The computer display should show “Com-
pleted,” and save the calibration data and exit the el-
evation calibration routine.
Elevation A-D Calibration
From the Controller panel, set the Elevation Rotator to
full scale (180°: “right” horizon).
Press
[F2][](F, 2, and EntEr) on the computer
keyboard to activate the Control Interface’s elevation
A-D converter calibration routine. The computer will
display “AZ=aaa EL=eee,” where “eee” is a three-
digit number which indicates the elevation heading in
degrees. For the purposes of this alignment, you may
ignore the (azimuth) “aaa” numbers.
Adjust the OUT VOL ADJ potentiometer on the GX-
500 so as to get a reading of “180” on the computer’s
display. This reading (“180 degrees”) corresponds to
the actual beam heading you established when you
pointed the elevation rotator to the 180° position.
Press
[](“EntEr”) on the computer keyboard to exit
the elevation A-D converter calibration routine.
calibration

15
operation
General
If you wish, you can mount the GS-232B on top of your
Rotator Controller using the two supplied hook-and-loop
fastener strips. Just remove the backing from one side of
each strip, and press into place on the bottom of the GS-
232B. Then remove the backing from the other side, and
press the GS-232B into place on the Controller.
After installation and calibration, the Control Interface
can accept commands entered directly from the keyboard,
or from a program written specically to support it (not
supplied by Yaesu). For brief summaries of the commands
recognized by the Control Interface, press [H][]for
a list of azimuth commands, or [H2][]for elevations
commands. Keep in mind that all commands require that
the EntEr key be pressed after the command letter (or
“0Dh” be sent by a control program), although we will
not repeat this when discussing the commands. Also note
that any command letter may be sent in either upper or
lower case. The info screens shown on the next page will
be returned by the Control Interface.
Most commands have two versions: one for azimuth, and
one for elevation. Commands are not echoed by the Con-
trol Interface, but a carriage return character (“0Dh”) is
returned after every command, and also a line feed char-
acter (“0Ah”) if the command invoked returned data. In-
valid commands cause “?>” to be returned and the input
buffer cleared. Note that all angles are in degrees, begin-
ning with zero at the most counterclockwise azimuth (or
horizontal elevation). Angles sent to the Control Interface
must be 3 digits long (left-zero-padded).

16
commanD list
In the following command descriptions, the elevation ver-
sion of each command, where there is one, is shown in pa-
rentheses (but don’t type the parentheses). Remember that
elevation commands require the G-5400B, G-5600B or
G-5500 Az/ElRotators, or the GX-500 adapter and the
G-500 or G-550 Elevation Rotator.
0 (O2)
Offset calibration for the Azimuth (Elevation) : preset ro-
tator manually fully counter-clockwise (“left” horizon for
elevation), send command, and press [Y][](“Y” and
“EntEr”) on the computer keyboard to store setting.
H(H2, H3)
Returns list of commands (see page 19 and 20).
F(F2)
Full Scale Calibration: preset rotator manually to full
scale, send command, adjust OUT VOL ADJ trimmer
on rear of controller (or GX-500 elevation adapter) until
the returned data is “+180 or +450” (“+0nn+180” for
elevation). Press [](“EntEr”) on the computer keyboard
to exit the calibration routine.
R(U)
Start turning the rotator to the right (up)
operation
L(D)
Start turning the rotator to the left (down).
A(E)
Stop azimuth (elevation) rotation.
S
Stop: cancel current command before completion.
C(B)
Return current azimuth (elevation) angle in the form
“AZ=aaa” (“EL=eee” for “B” command) degrees.
C2
Return azimuth and elevation (“AZ=aaa EL=eee”, where
“aaa” = azimuth, “eee” = elevation).
P36
Switch the azimuth angle to 360 degree mode.
P45
Switch the azimuth angle to 450 degree mode.
Z
Toggle the starting point of the azimuth indicator needle
between “N (North)” and “S (South).”
This command is ignored when the rotator is set to “450
degree mode.”

17
operation
commanD list
Xn
Select azimuth rotator turning speed, where n= l (slowest)
to 4 (fastest). This command can be issued during rota-
tion, and takes effect immediately. There is no equivalent
for elevation.
Maaa
Turn to aaa degrees azimuth, where aaa is a three-digit
number between “000” and “360” or “450” (depend-
ing on rotator type). Rotation starts upon execution of the
command.
Msss aaa bbb ccc
This command, together with the [T]command, provides
automatic, timed tracking of moving objects or propaga-
tion by the Control Interface itself. This command stores
the time value sss seconds to wait between stepping from
azimuth aaa to bbb, and then to ccc, etc. (from “2” to
as many as “3800” angles may be stored with one com-
mand).
Note that this command is completely different than the [T]
command with only one parameter: when multiple param-
eters are present, the rst one is interpreted by the Control
Interface as the rotation interval sss, not an angle. Valid
ranges are “001” to “999” for sss, and “000” to “360”
or “450” (depending on rotator type) for the angles.
When this command is sent, the parameters are stored in
the Control Interface’s RAM, and the rotator turns to an-
gle aaa and waits for a subsequent [T]command to begin
the actual stepping. All numbers must be 3 digits, space-
separated. Stored values remain in effect until another
[M]command is issued (this may have no parameters, in
which case the “?>” error prompt is returned, but memo-
ries are still cleared), or until the controller is turned off
or by toggling the GS-232B off and on.
T
See the [M](above) and the [W](below) command. Start
automatic stepping routine (both azimuth and eievation):
turn rotator to next sequentially memorized azimuth (or
az-el pair, for the [W]command), wait sss seconds, and
turn to next angle (or pair), etc. This command works
only if a long-form [M]or [W]has been issued since
power-up or the last reset.

18
N
Return serial number of currently selected memorized
point [nnnn], and total number of memorized points
[mmmm], in the form =nnnn=mmmm. Must be proceed-
ed by either a long-form [M]or [W], and a T command.
Used only during stepping (see [T]command).
The meaning of a “point” in this command following an
[M]command is only an azimuth angle, so in this case
nnnn and mmmm can range up to “3800” (the limit
dened in the EEPROMin the Control Interface). How-
ever, when elevation is involved, a “point” following a [W]
command is represented by both an azimuth and an eleva-
tion angle, in which case nnnn and mmmm can range up
to only “1900,” since each “point” is a pair of angles.

The EEP ROM may be written with up to one million
data points.
Elevation Control Commands
These commands are only for az-el operation. Note that
an azimuth angle must always be supplied when chang-
ing elevation, and that a setting point consists of a pair of
angles.
Waaa eee
Turn to aaa degrees azimuth and eee degrees elevation,
where aaa is a three-digit number between “000” and
“360” or “450” (depending on rotator type) and eee is a
three-digit number between “000” and “180.” Rotation
starts upon execution of the command.
Wsss aaa eee aaa sss ...
This command is similar to the [M] command: the rst
parameter is a time interval, and succeeding parameters
are angles. With this command, however, angles are in
azimuth-elevation pairs, each pair representing one anten-
na location. At most “1900” pairs can be sent and stored
in the Control Interface. As with the other commands, the
time interval range is limited to “001” to “999” (sec-
onds), azimuth to “000” to “360” or “450” (depending
on rotator type), and elevation to “000” to “180.”
When this command is sent, the rotators turn to the rst
aaa azimuth parameter and the first eee elevation pa-
rameter, and wait for a subsequent [T]command to begin
operation
commanD list