Antenna rotator apparatus

An apparatus for driving an antenna rotator comprising:

• (a) a circuit comprising:
• (1) means for sensing the orientation of an antenna,
• (2) means for commanding an orientation of said antenna,
• (3) means for generating a drive signal, said generating means being responsive to a difference between a command signal of said commanding means and an orientation signal of said sensing means,
• (4) a D.C. motor for rotating said antenna to a desired orientation as commanded by said commanding means, said motor being driven either clockwise or counterclockwise by said drive signal of said generating means to achieve said desired orientation,
• (5) a multiple-conductor cable connecting said motor and said sensing means with said generating means, one conductor of said cable serving as a separate electrical ground return for said motor, and a second conductor of said cable serving as a separate electrical ground return for said sensing means for decoupling input and output terminals of said generating means, thereby insuring stable operation of said generating means;
• and
• (6) an indicator means coupled to said generating means for indicating the movement or non-movement of said motor in response to said drive signal, said indicator means being illuminated during the clockwise and counterclockwise movement of said motor and extinguished during the non-movement of said motor;
• and
• (b) a reduction gear train connecting said motor to said antenna, frictional forces of said motor and said gear train being scaled by a large gear ratio so as to prevent movement of said antenna when said motor is de-energized while permitting facile rotation of said antenna by said motor, said sensing means and said motor being located adjacent said antenna and distant from said generating means.