On 05/17/2013 07:55 PM, IVP wrote:
> Hi all,
> ...
> I'd be grateful for any ideas that would help me encourage students
> to try stepper motors in a practical and useful project, preferably a
> simple one without too much engineering
>
>
Recently, I needed to cut expenses more, and gave up cable TV.  I built=20
a crude, but functional single bay Gray Hoverman UHF antenna with=20
reflector.  Even though antennaweb.org tells me I won't get *any*=20
reception at my location, I am able to get decent reception by pointing=20
it at a hill well over 180 degrees from the transmitter heading. =20
(According to antennaweb, that address, less than a mile away, can get=20
lots of channels.)  I've considered moving the antenna to the attic, but=20
would want a remote to tweak the antenna direction.   I've been thinking=20
of using a low torque motor, with a gear or belt drive.  I suspect I=20
would want a servo rather than a stepper.  In fact, just writing about=20
it makes me recall using an optical rotational sensor that can't=20
remember the term for right now.  Oh well...

For a much smaller, lighter directional antenna, a stepper with direct=20
drive might be a solution.

What about optics?  Lots of fun could be had  shining a laser pointer at=20
a mirror which can be positioned in 2 axis'.  Shiny, too!

Joe W


--=20
Joe Wronski
Stillwater Embedded Engineering
www.stillwatereng.net

--=20
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