Abstract: A helical-element antenna as part of a communication system is mechanically steered with reference to an azimuth axis and an elevation axis within a positioning envelope greater than hemispherical. The system for mechanically steering the helical antenna includes a supporting frame having an azimuth member with a longitudinal axis coinciding with the azimuth axis around which the antenna rotates. Further, the supporting frame includes an elevation member that is integral with the azimuth member and has a longitudinal axis displaced from the azimuth axis. An interface fitting rotatably mounts the antenna to the elevation member. The supporting frame is rotatably mounted to a pedestal base that has a plane perpendicular to the azimuth axis. To position the antenna about the azimuth axis, an azimuth steering unit is energized to rotate the supporting frame 360 degrees around the azimuth axis.

Abstract: A digital control system for regulating the speed of a running web roll so as to maintain uniform tension in the web measures the speed of the running roll with a first tachometer and measures the speed of a fixed diameter roll in control with the web with a second tachometer. A resettable counter is incremented by the pulses from the second tachometer and is reset by the pulses from the first tachometer so that the contents of the counter are indicative of the amount of web having traveled over the fixed diameter roll during the time in which the running roll has rotated through a selected angle. The contents of the counter are then used to control the torque applied to the running roll.