---
title: PSTRotator Control
icon: 🧭
category: Station Control
since: "1.31"
summary: Point the antenna at a selected chat station and use the azimuth reported by PSTRotator throughout the KST4Contest operating context.
description: KST4Contest calculates the direction of a selected station, sends it to PSTRotator and uses the reported antenna position for filters, priorities, timelines and map displays.
tagsList:
  - PSTRotator
  - antenna rotator
  - azimuth
  - QTF
  - UDP
  - SPID
related:
  - priority-score
  - timeline
  - airscout
---

## Why connect the rotator to the chat client?

A station selected in the chat already has a locator and a calculated QTF. Entering the same direction manually into another application adds another small task at precisely the point where the operator is preparing a contact.

KST4Contest can send that direction directly to PSTRotator.

![PSTRotator control for the selected station](/manual/assets/pstrotator_turn_antenna.png)

## Sending a direction

Press **Turn ant1 to …** in the Further Info section of the selected station.

KST4Contest:

1. calculates the azimuth from both station locators;
2. disables PSTRotator tracking mode;
3. sends the target as an integer azimuth; and
4. receives the current position reported by PSTRotator.

The function uses UDP. PSTRotator receives commands on the configured control port and reports its position on the following port.

With the default control port `12000`, KST4Contest therefore listens on `12001`.

## One position, several consumers

The reported azimuth becomes the current QTF in KST4Contest. The value is subsequently used by:

- the direction filter;
- direction-opportunity detection;
- the Priority Score;
- the antenna sector on the map;
- the AP and sked timeline; and
- the `MYQTF` message variable.

This shared use is intentional. The antenna should not be shown pointing in one direction while the filters and candidate calculations continue to assume another.

## SPID compatibility check

Some SPID configurations occasionally fail to react to the first direction command.

KST4Contest checks the reported position after two seconds. If no movement was reported and the target has not been reached, it sends one compatibility sequence through `0°` and then repeats the intended target.

The check runs in the background and does not block the user interface.

## Limits of the integration

The current interface controls and evaluates azimuth only. It does not provide elevation tracking.

The reported QTF describes what PSTRotator returns. Whether the antenna mechanically reaches that exact position still depends on the rotor, controller, calibration and configured offsets.

UDP also provides no delivery confirmation. Correct host, port, return port and firewall settings remain necessary.

In plain terms: KST4Contest removes the repeated transfer of a direction from one window to another. It does not turn an uncalibrated rotor into a calibrated one.

[Read the complete setup and port assignment in the manual.](/manual/en/configuration/#pstrotator-settings-from-v131-fully-configurable-from-v140)

[Open the PSTRotator website.](https://www.pstrotator.com/)