t50ufo

Thanks again for your reply and the lnfo about the script and the link to the article. Spent most of the day reading through some stuff and found that article too. Have ordered up some bits to make the antenna!

Thanks fozzybear and The Admiral for taking time to reply. I will indeed read through all I can. Never too late to experiment and explore. I think I will get a receiver dongle and a specific antenna for Meteor detection and perhaps a wide range one also to explore the airwaves! Others are doing it successfully so with a bit of searching and hands on - I should be able to get it going! The hard part looks to be scripts and SpectrumLab but no doubt there will be some tutorials out there. All the Best. The journey begins! Trev

Hi all Happy New Year and Greetings form Northern Ireland. I have been reading through the thread Meteor Detection with RTL-SDR by Stormchaser using GRAVES radar in France. Having come across this thread on the forum, I am fascinated by this project and the fact that is doable at all. Having dabbled in my teenage years with shortwave radio and having a keen interest in Astronomy and elctronics, I think I am a prime candidate for setting up a receiving station! Now retired and given the terrible weather of late - this would make for a great “tandem” Astro project. Not being too familiar with the hardware and software may I pick your brains with some(many) questions: HARDWARE So I need an SDR Dongle type receiver. I see many referenced - is there a particular model that is best suited? I see a variation in prices too. Airspy Mini approx £120. Nooelec models £30/£40 and RTL-SDR Blog R820T2 £37. Laptop - fine on that one! The use of a Raspberry Pi is mentioned - what purpose does this bring to the table and what about associated software for that. Antenna. Again not too familiar with high frequency Antennas. I would like to place this in loft. Again I see this one referenced https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262851439266?hash=item3d332aaaa2:g:ef0AAOSw~AVYofkH Approx £80 Again any help on this or an alternative or better Antenna would be great. SOFTWARE SDRSharp and SpectrumLab will these work with any model SDR dongle receiver? Is the data produced of any use to Astronomical bodies or citizen science projects? - this would be a bonus. I am very keen to have a go but as you see I need a fair few nudges in the right direction. Want to order up the right bits first - no doubt many more questions after that! Thanks Trev

Hi Steve Thanks for your reply. That is quite a project! I will have a good look over. There seems to be a lot going on there! Having spent the last part of Summer updating observatory with new roof and motor, new computer and camera. I would just like to complete the automation with a cloud/rain sensor, probably more for rain! I see you were following the original postings and got stuck too - funny I was the same - could not get anything recognised. How did you progress? Do you now have a unit for Safety Monitoring? I was recently inspired by the video on YouTube - Joe’s Astrophoto and Glenn (Astrobloke) and their take on the SkyRoof Control. I managed to get that to work but my quest continues for the sensors - I would still like to have a reliable cloud/rain sensor to close roof when unattended. I found a post on Cloudy nights for an ASCOM Rain sensor using the RG-11 rain sensor. As it has a built in switch, this project should also be able to use an M152K Capacitive Rain Sensor also having a built in switch. Now if I could find a way to include a Cloud sensor to this project and work with NINA, I think that would be enough for me. Plan B would be to go the commercial route HiTech Astro (No 64 bit drivers! till early spring 22) or AAG unit - both are a bit expensive but want to give the DIY approach a go first! Trev

Hi all - I was intrigued by an old Topic from 2015 on this Forum - a DIY Cloud and Rain Sensor with ASCOM support. I know it may be a bit ironic given the current terrible UK winter weather and endless cloudy nights! I would love to replicate/update this project. Be great to update the project and perhaps use a Capacitive Rain Sensor? I do love a DIY project but I have very little knowledge on the software side but can follow instructions! Personally I would love to use with NINA as it features a Safety Monitor and Dome/Roof control. Commercial units are still quite expensive! Wonder if any of the original contributors etc. would be willing to update or help with an Evo Plus version (or a clone) - I know there are some pretty smart guys out there!

Re: DIY cloud and rain sensor with ascom support (by Corpze) on this Forum Originally 2015 I know this Project “Cloud Sensor Evo Plus” is quite old but though I would give it a go. Hardware sourced and constructed but when it comes to the software sketches and Library inclusion - I am not that good. Wonder if anyone can lead me through the sketch compilation/upload. For someone with little experience of Arduino uploads - I am stuck. There are 2 sketches and 2 library elements to be included. From the Library manager I can find the Onewire but the i2cmaster one seems to be a different version to that in the actual sketch. The other part I am having trouble with is the placement of the two sketches into one folder (as per instruction) for upload. The sketches are there and I have them downloaded. Again - how and where do I include the 2 Library elements. I just need a nudge in the right direction. This is quite a nice little project and would love to complete a working version. Thanks in advance! Trev

Question re uploading Arduino Code. I assume I can download the Onewire and i2cmaster libraries from the web via a search but the two sketch files: instruction says . . . "Save the code and put the Command.ino -file in the same folder as the CloudSensorEvoPlus.ino You can now compile and upload the code to the Arduino" Can someone clarify - If I put the two files into one folder, do I just load the content from this folder into the uploader and it will place both on the Nano? Sorry - just I have not come across having to upload 2 ino files Thanks Trev

Thanks [R26 old-timer] and [adyj1] for your help - I will have another go and report back. Always learning! Appreciate your time and assistance. Trev

Making some progress. Module hooked up to NEQ6. I can connect to the Skywatcher App and move the mount with the arrow keys on iPad but in SkySafari I can make wireless connection to mount but not connecting. Any Ideas? Originally my config. was Bluetooth dongle from PC Laptop running XP to Bluetooth HC-05 module direct to Hand Contoll socket on Mount using EQMOD Ascom Driver, Stellarium with Stellarium Scope with the addition of iPad running SkySafari via WiFi Scope. I could use both at same time. Great control with EQMOD and Stellarium but found SkySafari interface easier to find targets etc. My old Laptop died a couple of months ago - hence upgrade to Win 10 and hopefully similar setup. So far is has not been a smooth transition! Is Bluetooth a better option? Just trying to streamline the whole thing.

Thanks Guys - now it's clear!

In the Skysafari Settings Screen Grab the IP Address is 127.0.0.1 what or where does that address come from or relate to?

Thanks! that is what I wanted to hear. Will have a go!

Interesting. Just purchased one of these modules. Is yours being plugged into the actual handset? Was hoping I could perhaps use on NEQ6. I do not have hand control. I have been using the bluetooth HC05 to DB9 socket successfully. Reason I purchased was documentation says "It is fully compatible with the existing electrical and physical interfaces of Bluetooth transmission module"