Rotator Controllers - FAQS
What is the difference between the RT-21 and the RT-21D
The RT-21D has a high readability Vacuum Fluorescent Display. This display is bright blue in color and can be easily used in bright outdoor sunlit locations. For aesthetic reasons, the VFD looks great against a black panel, so the “D” version also incorporates a matte finish black Lexan overlay in place of the cream color in the standard unit.
The ‘D’ unit has a point and shoot knob that has better resolution than the standard unit too.
There are no functional differences between the two controllers.
Windows Vista x64 or Windows 7 refuses to let me install an unsigned driver, how can I get my USB driver to install? (S/N less than 2000)
Download the latest USB DRIVER found in our Support >RT-21> Software section. This will allow you to install even though the driver is “not digitally signed”. This new file should work for all RT-21s on XP, x64, Vista and Windows 7 machines.
Windows 8 refuses to let me install an unsigned driver, how can I get my USB driver to install? (S/N less than 2000)
Download the latest USB DRIVER found in our Support >RT-21> Software section.
You must enable Windows 8 to allow installation of an unsigned driver. The utube link will aid you. Also, the windows forum relevent answers have a couple alternatives.
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/hardware/how-can-i-force-windows-8-to-install-non-digitally/da779859-9d57-4f38-ab2e-22ab8b31c0b8
What is a 'Counter Range Error' and how do I fix it?
The ‘Counter Range Error’ was incorporated in RT-21 at version 1.06.2 and above. It was done to alert you that the pulse count value (in an Orion, Prop Pitch, SPID or other ‘counter’ type rotator) may have been corrupted. Under severe AC power interruption events, it’s possible that the controller cannot adequately save this count value and thus the heading would be inacurate. The RT-21 can sense that the value is not within it’s limits, and shuts the conroller down with this error in order to make sure that you verify, and reset the calibration of your rotator before continuing.
THE FIX IS EASY….simply look at your antenna, and set the calibration to that heading.
- Press and hold the CANCEL button until the RT-21 displays “Setup”. (about 4 seconds).
- The display now says “Calibrate = xxx”, rotate the knob until the display reads “NEW VALUE = YYY” where YYY is the current actual position of your antenna.
- Press the CHANGE button, the display now moves the correct heading up to the top line.
- Press the SAVE button to exit and return to operation.