Python3 Spid Rotator controller
In early 2015 I received a SPID RAK Rotator with the Computer Control module. After installing I then set around to try and control it from the Linux/Mac software I use - but I could not find anything specific - instead of putting the controller into emulation mode (it can pretend to be a Yaesu as well as other types I believe) - I looked for the programming manual for this controller and set to work in Python.
#Python 2.x
If you are running this version of Python - and most Linux Distro's have this as their base version then there is already a good set of utils you can use Utils for Controlling.
However, if you develop in Python3 - then this will not work.
#Python 3.x
As I develop in a multi-language enviroment I always use UTF-8 based development tools, however the "low-down" data data transfer mechanism is often still byte oriented - so you end up putting countless encode, decode method into your code.
I therefore took the base Python2.x code set - and gave it a slight update. Nothing too major, overriding some of the default serial method to auto encode/decode plus update the docstrings.
#How do I use it ?
Download and there should a tester.py file -
python tester.py <Device Name in Full> <TestNumber>##Device Name
In Linux/Mac it will appear in /dev
ls /dev | grep -i USBWill give you a list of the possible device names.
There are 2 simple tests.
- 1
- Get your heading move +10 Degress, and Move Back
- 2
- Get your heading move +90 degress, but STOP and then return to original
#What next ?
Up to you - it is about 2 minutes work to add a command line option so you can control your spid from a terminal window.