It would be nice if the Antenna Rotator Plugin (large) was updated so that the CW and CCW buttons rotate the antennas in 1 degree increments on each click rather than the random amount of degrees as is currently the case.

Trying to fine tune beam antennas using the current system is both time consuming and a pain.

A further enhancement would be to provide a means of directly typing in the beam heading.

regards

Bruce
43HS031

I would provide it, Bruce. Indeed it's possible to klick direct into the scale to get a special heading, but for that we don't need the 2 buttons.
Normally the rotator should stop even by releasing the key. And not "drive" further 10 to 20 degrees.

73 and good DX from Jörg :-)
JO31ok
Bochum / Germany

Noting the previous cryptic response from the administrator:

For stations in the Southern Hemisphere where just about every station worked is a long range DX station, one or two degrees over 15000+ Km can make a huge difference in signal strength. Accurate orientation of the antenna is critical for the effective use of highly directional antennas such as the yagi and beverage antennas.

Therefore what I am asking is:

1. can the CW and CCW buttons be updated to rotate the antennas in 1 degree increments? (Yes/No)

I am aware that I can click on the antenna rotator screen to rotate the antenna but this method only roughly moves the antenna and fine tuning is always required but is difficult to achieve.

The CW and CCW buttons do rotate the antennas but in their current setup would be better utilised on a roulette table.

Now that the DX Mon provides the Azimuth for stations spotted in the DX cluster, it makes more sense for this request to be given consideration.

73
Bruce

Mouse-clicking on the azimuth in the DX monitor and antenna moving to the right position would be best! Hopefully in the next version?

73, Alfred, OE5AKM

Maybe the best, but not realistic. ;-) If you try to simulate a transmitter as real as possible, there is no such function in real radios.
So I would prefer and support your first request -> to make the CW/CCW icons more accurate. Otherwise this 2 buttons don't have an useful function... For quick rotating we can use the Scale as well.

73 and good DX from Jörg :-)
JO31ok
Bochum / Germany

I have a stupid question, but must ask it. On the Rotator is the green dot the front of any directional antenna ? I'm not sure and at times I get a better signal off of the rear end?

You are right, the green dot means the main "shotgun" of a rotatable antenna.
But a little bit depending on the kind of antenna: There are some antennas, which are not really rotatable, but directional.

E.G. 4-Square Antennas or Cardioids and so on. The beam characteristic on such types originates by different phases, not by physical rotating of anything. And especially on Cardioids the backside is very good as well.
But the high gain of 9,9 dBi and beam-angle of 210° is still on the frontside.

If you get a better signal in some cases on a "wrong" direction, it is depending on the current ionospheric conditions / parameters.
The direct (bee-) line to the other station is not the real way of shortwave. In some cases it could happen that you will need a completely other direction (e.g. north / north-east instead of west / north-west!).

73 and good DX from Jörg :-)
JO31ok
Bochum / Germany