INEXPENSIVE DIGITALAZIMUTH READOUT

ChallengePaul Wade W1GHZ

Digital Electronic Protractor0 to 360°

$16.95igaging.com

Adaptable for Portable Microwavebut

What about Remote Readout?• Inexpensive digital levels have been hacked for

remote readout• Inexpensive digital calipers have RS-232

output– Connect to Arduino for Bluetooth connection to

smartphone– www.yuriystoys.com– Other digital indicators as well – (DRO)

Digital Caliper from Harbor Fright

Let’s take apart a Protractor

Held together by two small roll pins -gently pry apart

Unscrew electronic module

Top of PC board

Bottom of PC board

Bottom closeup

Summary

• No obvious external connection points• Chip is under black glop• Indicator is pair of PC rotating patterns• No contacts – capacitive coupling?• Binary pattern easily discerned from patterns• Can it be hacked?– Steal digital from LCD?– Connect directly to rotating patterns?

Challenge

• Inexpensive digital remote readout for azimuth would be really useful for EME and microwaves

• Some of you have more expertise with microprocessors (PIC, Arduino, RaspberryPi, etc)

• Make one work and make plans available, and I will reimburse parts expense

• And you will be famous