SATRAN - Satellite Tracking Antenna

The NodeMCU code is slowly coming alive, while I wait for the first batch of PCBs to arrive from the factory. The board will have a small reset button that turns the controller back into an access point. Then you can connect directly to the wifi on the satellite tracker, access the setup page directly with your browser and supply the correct Wifi settings. 

This way you don't need any special equipment or USB-connection for setting it up. Just plug it in and go, almost like a chromecast.

There are some different software choices on the market for controlling Az-El rotators, and it will hopefully be possible to control the hardware with more programs than my own android app. 

What software do you prefer? Leave a comment if you have any suggestions.

Electronics are definitely not my strong suit, but for the first time ever I've designed a PCB-layout and I must say, it looks quite good don't you think!?

I am using the free software EasyEDA. Not the simplest to work with, especially when you don't know the name of all the components. But after a few hours I got the hang of it. 

And just as I wrote that last sentence, I realized that I need to add a reset push button to it for the wifi setup. Damn. Back to the drawing board!

It's getting somewhere! Christmas is over and the project continues. Today I designed the worm gear that will drive the elevation of the antenna. This is great not only because it makes the drive stronger, but also allows for the motors to be stacked on top of each other to save space, to make everything fit inside the housing.

Soon it's time for some electronics!

Today I got some more prints finished and started mounting the bottom turntable. Hopefully all the ball bearings won't give too much friction.

For the entire build to be easy assembled, I just realised that it needs a custom expansion circuit board with connectors for the processor and stepper motor drivers etc. There are a few online circuit board design tools and chinese producers that offer PCBs for only a few dollars a piece. Something I havent tried before, but I'm sure I'll sort it out somehow...

Nothing beats the little 3D-printer when prototyping. I have a Creality Ender-3 that recently replaced my older TronXY, and I absolutely love it!
Three parts have been printed so far, the rest still being designed. The first parts make up the turntable, with tracks where the BB-pellets will go. Normal bearing balls can be expensive, but 4,5mm metal airgun bullets work just as fine and for only 10USD I got 1500pcs, enough for over 10 builds.

The sides of the turret will be made from CNC-cut PVC foamboard which takes a lot less time than 3D-printing, also the bent top will be made from thin aluminium sheet metal and the top bracket/antenna mount will be in steel.