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Getting started

Visit 

www.satran.io

 for the latest instructions/video on how to 3D-print and assemble the unit.

The default mount is intended for a 35mm pipe, preferably a PA speaker stand with any plastic 
center plugs removed for the cables to run through the center. 

Warning! 

Before connecting power to the device, make sure it has enough room to move freely 

without hitting something. When power is applied, the rotator will initiate by moving both axis and 
turning azimuth to 0 degrees north. 

1) Mount the Satran on top of a pipe with control cables and any coaxial cables running inside down
through the pipe, without fastening it completely.

2) Mount the control unit below the rotator, approx 1 meter away from the device or any other 
sources of electromagnetic interference. Cables coming in or out of the plastic housing should do so
in the bottom to prevent any rainwater entering. Connect the control cable from the Satran to the 
RJ45 port on the controller, and the 12V power connector to the JST-plug on the controller. 

3) Connect the power cable to a recommended power adapter and wait a few seconds for the rotator 
to initialize. If all is well, it should move both the azimuth and the elevation for some distance.

4) After initialization, the rotator points to what should be 0 degrees north. Take a compass and 
place it on top of the antenna. Turn the rotator by the pipe mount until the antenna is facing 
geographic north and fasten it by tightening the bolt on the pipe mount.

5) Start your computer or smartphone and connect it to the wireless hotspot with a hostname 
starting with ”SATRAN_” 

6) Now you can control the rotator. No more steps are needed if you only want to control the rotator
directly. Ente

http://192.168.4.1

 in a web browser to access the manual control interface or enter 

the IP in the settings of your desired software like ”Satran Control” android app or Gpredict on PC.

Continue if you want to control the Satran via your wireless network (recommended)...

7) Open a web browser and ente

http://192.168.4.1/setup

8) Choose your desired wireless network from the list and enter the required password, press to 
save. Satran now restarts. 

9) Now you can connect the computer or smartphone back to your own WLAN and the Satran can 
be accessed by replacing the IP-address with the one assigned to it by your wireless router. If you 
do not know this, you need to login to your wireless router and check what IP-address it has been 
assigned by the DHCP service. If the Satran is unable to connect, you might need to reset it to 
factory defaults and try again. 

Success! Now it is ready to be controlled by Gpredict or the free android app 

2022-08-23

page 3

Summary of Contents for MK3

Page 1: ... TRacking Antenna Open source 3D printable azimuth elevation antenna rotator www satran io Within Europe only legal for use by authorities or licensed radio amateurs Always read and understand this manual before use 2022 08 23 page 1 ...

Page 2: ...ge lightning or electromagnetic interference The unit has some protection for EMI but high antenna transmitting powers might affect the functionality or even damage the control unit 6 When installing or using the product make sure that the rotator and any externally mounted antenna have enough space to move freely without hitting something or someone before you connect any power cables 7 Never use...

Page 3: ...initialization the rotator points to what should be 0 degrees north Take a compass and place it on top of the antenna Turn the rotator by the pipe mount until the antenna is facing geographic north and fasten it by tightening the bolt on the pipe mount 5 Start your computer or smartphone and connect it to the wireless hotspot with a hostname starting with SATRAN_ 6 Now you can control the rotator ...

Page 4: ...atran does not know what is north or south When you mount the rotator connect power to it and let it finish initialization Then put a compass along the top bracket or antenna and manually turn the entire rotator until the front is facing 0 degrees north Now tightly fasten the screws on the rotator mount Remove and reconnect power again and make sure that sensors has been read correctly and that it...

Page 5: ...ads approx 150 This number will be the north end position 0 degrees Enter this value in the corresponding field and press save button 5 Take a pen or piece of tape and make a marking on both the bottom fixed turntable and the top rotator housing that should line up with each other 6 Press the Azimuth CW button repeatedly to turn the azimuth a full 360 degree turn until the markings you made lines ...

Page 6: ... by clicking on it If the list is empty you need to connect your android device to a WLAN with internet access and restart the app to fetch a new satellite list from the CelesTrak data server When a satellite has been chosen you can go to the first tab that should show you its relative position and the time for its next overhead pass If you want the Satran to track the satellite when it passes you...

Page 7: ...ery easy 1 Power up the Satran and connect the computer with Gpredict either directly to the access point or the wireless network that the Satran is connected to 2 In Gpredict click edit and preferences in the top bar 3 Press interfaces in the left column and choose the tab rotators Press Add New Enter the IP address to the Satran and the other settings as pictured above Press OK to close all 4 In...

Page 8: ...S enters over the horizon You can also manually change the large numbers for azimuth or elevation and the rotator will turn accordingly Satran MK2 has not yet been tested with other hamlib rotctl compatible software like satnogs If you get it to work with such other software please be kind to the community and share your findings in the forum at www satran io or by mail to satran danaco se 2022 08...

Page 9: ...rk compatibility 802 11 b g n max 20 character pass ssid Azimuth movement 0 360 degrees Elevation movement 0 90 degrees Tolerance approx 5 degrees Operating temperature 0 to 30 Celsius Max antenna weight 500 gram Weight finished unit approx 500gram Dimensions rotator 200x120x120mm Dimensions control box 110x110x70mm Standard pipe mount 25mm 35mm Country of origin Sweden Happy satellite hunting 73 ...

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