Wanted: Houston Tracker IV

[radeohedca]

Anyone have a Houston Tracker 4 that you'd like to sell ?

 

[Radioguy41]

If you can't find a IV and you think a 10+ will do what you want, let me know, I have two of them.

 

[14karat]

I'm looking at one here in my floor. Plan to use it as a mover for BUD #2...
Might I inquire, why specifically a Tracker 4?

 

[radeohedca]

Why a Houston Tracker 4 ?

The Houston Tracker 4 is ideal for my application (ham radio moonbounce). I just want a standalone pulse feedback type controller with 3 or 4 digit position display and relay controlled actuator voltage outputs. I don't need a full receiver/controller (which is why I don't want a HT10).

I bought a Houston Tracker 1 a few weeks ago only to discover that it uses a voltage feedback from a potentiometer for position sensing rather than a pulsed output. I guess it was a bad assumption on my part that all HT's work with pulse type feedback
Further research suggests that a HT4 will do exactly what I want. I haven't been able to find out much about the HT2 and HT3 but as I understand it the latter version Houston Trackers (HT5 and up) are full sat receivers with integrated controller.

So a HT4 is what I'm looking to buy.
Anyone ?

 

[14karat]

Hmmm. Well, the Tracker 4 I have is a full blown analog receiver as well... as far as I know it does use pulse feedback tho.
There's a Tracker III on eBay right now, if it helps...
Houston Systems Tracker III plus Satellite dish LOCATOR - eBay (item 170250806023 end time Dec-03-08 11:32:37 PST)

 

[radeohedca]

I saw the HT3 on eBay but I can't find any info on that unit. The HT2 is apparently similar to my HT1 which I suspect does not count pulses for position indication.

I didn't realize the HT4 was also an IRD. Does yours look like this ?
(Aluminum box on the bottom is not part of it.)

 

[ACRadio]

Why not just use a V-Box????

 

[14karat]

Mine looks nothing like that...
I know mine says 'Tracker 4' and not 'Tracker IV'... guess that's the kicker, eh?

 

[linuxman]

I have an HTS System VIII+ and an HTS System 20.

The VIII+ has pulsed inputs, but don't remember whether the pulses display on the screen or not. I have never tried the System 20. You can have either for the shipping costs. :yikes:

I agree with ACRadio. If you just want something to move the dish and display the counts, a GBox or VBox is the simple choice.

 

[radeohedca]

So then it seems there are standalone Houston Tracker controllers and Houston Tracker receivers (which may incorporate a controller), some with the same model number. That's nasty.
14 Karat, I'd be interested to see a picture of your "Tracker 4" if you can post one.

I looked at the V-box but there isn't a lot of details in the eBay ad. They do say that it has to be used in conjunction with an IRD and "Works with any actuator...", but it supplies 36v and my actuator runs at 24v. And does it actually display the pulse count or does it just show Sat (memory) numbers ?

Linuxman, I may be interested in the VIII+ if we can determine whether or not the display shows the pulse count. So that's a controller only, not an integrated receiver ?

 

[14karat]

I will try and post them this evening.

 

[gabshere]

I looked at the V-box but there isn't a lot of details in the eBay ad. They do say that it has to be used in conjunction with an IRD and "Works with any actuator...", but it supplies 36v and my actuator runs at 24v. And does it actually display the pulse count or does it just show Sat (memory) numbers ?

the v-box can be used alone, it counts the pulse counts

here's a link to photos of the v-box III

some motors can take the 36V supplied. i've seen some motors listed as 24 Volt 30 Volt & 36 Volt

 

[ACRadio]

I looked at the V-box but there isn't a lot of details in the eBay ad. They do say that it has to be used in conjunction with an IRD and "Works with any actuator...", but it supplies 36v and my actuator runs at 24v. And does it actually display the pulse count or does it just show Sat (memory) numbers ?

I have 2 V-Boxes and am getting a third...all are used stand-alone. It will just make a 24V actuator run a little faster...no biggie...

 

[radeohedca]

Thanks for the pix...very helpful !
I could probably modify one of these to supply 24v instead of 36v to the actuator.
I assume the connections on the back are for actuator and pulse input !?
F connectors probably set polarity !?

So it counts pulses but does the display show the actual pulse count or does it show memory or Sat numbers , i.e. what does "P20" represent ?
I need to be able to see the pulse count go up and down as I move back and forth.

 

[ACRadio]

It shows the pulse count...the F connectors are a loop-through in order to use it as a DiSEqC 1.2 controller in conjunction with an FTA receiver.

 

[radeohedca]

It shows the pulse count...

Excellent !

But then I'm still curious to know what "P20" is on the display in the picture (referenced by the link).

 

[ACRadio]

The V-Box has a 99 position memory. You can store memory positions if you desire. Say the unit has a memory position stored at pulse count 312...when you move the actuator to count 312 it will read out a P number instead of 312. If you just want it to be a manual dish mover then don't store any memory positions...

 

[radeohedca]

I only see V-box 2's and 5's on eBay right now. Will they all do what I want or should I be looking specifically for a V-box 3 ?
If I only want a 3, who else carries them ?

 

[ACRadio]

Both mine are V-Box II's. They all should do what you want with the exception of the early V-Box (I never see them any more) which had to be run in conjunction with a receiver. Some people have mentioned the V had a problem with current handling with larger dishes, but I'm going to try one since I'm going to be using it with a smaller dish and because they are cheaper...I need cheap...

 

[linuxman]

The system VIII+ is an integrated receiver and dish mover.

I wouldn't buy a VBox III. I had a lot of trouble with mine. If you are want a reliable one, get the VBox II if they are still around. If not, get a GBox V3000.

Just my two cents worth.