Physopto

6 hours ago, mapstar said:

Damian 07968............. looking to get up the weekend before weather permitting.

Lovely and clear down here over night shame the moon was blazing away.

So look at the moon then. I know how you really love it.

up now but hopefully clear at Galloway.

Phew !

Hey David better watch out for Ian 😂

Being serious though good idea of yours as Mike said about 19 registered with Lesley and David said 17 were through his Astro friends. I booked with Lesley nearly 9/10 months ago and Mike well before that. 

3 hours ago, stash_old said:

this shouldn't happen if its a true FDTI chip (as opposed to a clone) as the real chip and driver have a unique serial number which is recognised after you have installed the driver once. Moving USB sockets should not make any difference as it follows the serial number of he USB device. The same goes for Linux. Thats why you pay extra for a real thing. 🙂

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/13741853/how-to-get-stable-com-ports-for-usb-serial-dongles-in-windows-xp still applies to Win 10

 

That is what I thought, but I am using genuine FTDI chips and it has happened when I was using a Win 7 computer. No idea why. I don't use EQMOD anymore, so not able to repeat test it now.

When are you and Dawn getting there?

2 minutes ago, jamie56 said:

See

 

 

54 minutes ago, JamesF said:

Or just go for something like this?  (Other South American rivers are available...)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/D-Line-CC-1-Protector-Protect-Prevent/dp/B0078NU4C6/

James

Yup got one of those for at star camp to protect cables. Ended up tripping over it countless times in the dark 😀

Heavy to carry about but does protect cables.

Derek

Me too 2

I bought some like these just because they are flat and take up less space in a confined area. But I suspect they would not last long if walked on. Very soft and flexible but not hardy.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Multi-Cable-Ethernet-Network-Patch/dp/B01FXSO6RG/ref=sr_1_19?hvadid=80058222453776&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=flat+network+cable&qid=1571232565&sr=8-19

1 hour ago, stash_old said:

if changing the com port in EQMOD as suggested above (DO NOT USE the search button)  (after checking what the actual com port number is displayed in Device Manager - just in case its changed again) does work look at your cable ends and if using DB9 check for bent or missing pins.

To test the adapter you can download Putty from the web - some virus checkers will complain but you should be able to scan the file - then loop rx/tx pins (harder to do if you mount end is  RJ45 ). you then use Putty to talk to itself (hence the looping of TX/RX). Use connection type "Serial" on putty and this will then allow you to change the Com port to whatever your device number is shown in device manager.  Whatever you type should be shown in Putty's window the adapter is working. If its working wiggle the cable in case you have a bad connection and see if the connection is dropped!

If the later all works this would point to the Mount 😞 or the cable is wrongly wired!.  If it fails have you another PC or a Astro friend to test out your cable and mount in case your PC OS software is corrupt!  

You have't displayed an image of the USB Adapter are you sure its a "real" FDTI and the voltage is the correct level (5v or 3.3v) depending on your mount . Plus I am assuming the Atlas Model(and firmware level) is supported by EQMOD - I think they are supposed to be the same as SW!

Never heard of Putty sounds good.

One point about FTDI is that if you do use a different USB socket it can cause problems for EQMOD and the Com port. Easily sorted, but annoying if you have forgotten which USB port you last connected to.

Don't forget the thickness of the filters will change the back focus.

It depends upon the filter thickness and refractive index of the glass used. Most filters have a refractive index about the same. Some manufacturers filters are 1mm thick and others can be 3mm thick. So the effective light path length is changed in a system depending whose filters you use.  As the refractive index of a filter can be around 1.45 the thickness of the filter affects the speed of the light and OPL is changed. So OPL for the filter is dn where d is the glass thickness and n the refractive index. A 3mm thick filter can change the optical path length by up to 1mm where as 1mm filter it is only about 0.3mm.

9 hours ago, Demon Barber said:

I think you have to much time on yer hands!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😱

Mike

Well time is relative ya know. 🤔

Well boy-os, less tha 2weeks to go. 

It will be good fun to meet up with everyone again.

Pie addicts as well I suppose.🤔

So we can expect P.E.A. to reign supreme and have to arrange a circle of chairs and listen to all that drivel about their childhood problems, being force fed pies by their parents I expect!

Ah, well, if we can't help those afflicted poor souls........ 🤣

Never mind the rest of us can blot it all out with a dram or several. 🥃🥃🥃🥃 I think Mike was feeling sorry for the addicts and may bring a placebo pie or two. (Maybe stop the uncontrolled screaming during their withdrawal ).

Oh the fun we will have. 😈

I can see many, many hours of fun on the way. 😱

5 hours ago, Uplooker said:

Derren, I didn’t know you did astro photography. You kept that very quiet. Look forward to seeing some of your images 😇

For you, no !'j#{* chance. 🤔😂

40 minutes ago, mapstar said:

My skills in the kitchen are limited 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🤣

I thought you'd got the motorised mini pie shooter working Derren? Don't try to tell us all you're going to try doing astro photography with it? 🔭🥃🔭🥃🔭🥃🔭🥃🔭🥃 Goes summit like that 😇

If I cooked a cake it would be the cause of my suspension failure. 

As Mike knows I have been working on a new control system for my gear as no caravan now. Just hope it all works as expected on the day, does not leak etc, oh 🌚 meant night of course! 🤔

Looks like I may need to geta Deed Poll Certificate again!

😂

17 hours ago, mapstar said:

Be good to see you again at the event Derren 😁

Thanks Damian,  I'm bringing some emergency supplies 🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃.

Oh, and a green scrubby pad 🤔

It will be my first for several years. Can't wait to wind up a few souls!!

😂

1 minute ago, mapstar said:

What's  all this talk of being addicted? A pie a day isn't addiction!!! 

Mmmmmmmm, methinks 365 a year for 40 + years!

ADDICTION.... for sure.

Seek help and quickly,,,, or there will be none left for anyone else😡😡😡

Breaking News !

The South Shields Astronomical Gazette has reported that Damian (Mapstar) has just joined  P.E.A. ( Pie Eaters Anonymous). 

Apparently during his interview he stated "his problems with pies, started in childhood"

He has fought the addiction for many years but he realised after perfecting his "22" pie measuring device", that he had to do something drastic to end the belly stretching problem. 

I am sure we all wish him all the best with fighting his addiction. 

Now  Ian,,,   What yer gonna do without yer competitive pal.   🤣 

🤔.   Can't refute a FACT !!!!

😂

9 hours ago, Demon Barber said:

"and i`m sure a pie or two will make an apperance."

Well that ensures that Ian and Damian will show up forks in hand!!!!!  🍴

😂

 

Good God!!!

Looking back through all the posts, been too busy to keep up of late, I have just realised I am classed as a "brown dwarf", 

I know I am short ish but ........😱

Looking forwards to seeing everyone. 

7 hours ago, mapstar said:

Dai I'm thinking of going up before the event on the run up to the new moon so may be there the same time. Probably 24th on? Tbc 

Booked up with Lesley for the Saturday the 26th onwards in one of her vans. ???