User Interface - microHAM ARCO Manual

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4 - USER INTERFACE

The main display of ARCO provides real time information about antenna heading, antenna
selection, rotator state and six memories for quick antenna heading change.
Heading is provided by orientation needle on great circle and by large heading number which
can be set to show either real time heading or target rotation heading.
Under the heading number is located graphical rotator status displaying actual rotator speed,
turning direction and brake state. Under graphical status is shown self explaining detailed
status of each operation step executed by the rotator controller.
Antenna heading can be set in many ways, by Touch'n Turn - touching great circle map at
desired direction, by Heading Dial Screen - entering specific heading by touching large
heading number area, by memory preset buttons on display, by Point and Shot knob dialing in
required heading, instantly by CCW ← and CW → buttons on front panel, by numeric keypad
attached to the USB A (FW) port on ARCO, and by computer, either thru the RS-232, USB or
Ethernet port.
Touch'n Turn is the fastest heading setting ever bought to the rotator controller. You simply
touch the great circle where you want to turn your antenna and that's all. If you keep finger on
display, by moving it in all directions you can fine tune desired target heading. Rotator will start
movement when you remove finger from the screen.
Heading Dial Screen allows you to enter desired heading not only by large on screen keypad
but it also allows to set heading to QRA locator, specific DXCC country or prefix, or particular
WAZ or ITU zone. Screen shows current and new azimuth, to confirm choice touch the GO
icon. If you want to return back to the main screen without heading change touch RETURN icon.
If you need to stop rotator movement for any reason, press Point and Shot knob or press one of
CW/CCW buttons. If rotator is stopped by the knob, heading can be optionally restored to the
stop position.
ANTENNA button allows to choose one of three antennas if these antennas have different
offset to the main antenna or any available rotator/antenna present on local LINK network or
chosen ARCO controller over Internet.
BACK button serves to return antenna heading to the previous heading. What should be
considered "returnable" heading is defined in the SETTINGS MENU | General.
Next to BACK button is located SYNC switch and ALIGN button. These controls are available
only if SYNC is enabled in the setup Link tab and if you have your controller linked over LINK
bus to the another ARCO controller(s).
SYNC switch enables or disables heading synchronization, basically sends or receive "follow
me" command on the bus on every direction change while keeping heading difference. If is
switched off, rotator works independently, does not send or receive synchronization commands.
ALIGN button sends command to bus for instant alignment of position to match sending
controller's heading. Menu settings specifies which antennas will be aligned.
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