Doug64

Hi, Thanks for the reply. I'm using a Lynx Astro FTDI cable to connect my HEQ5 mount to PC. The mount is using Com Port 1 checked by disconnecting the cable whilst viewing the Com Ports under device manager. From everything I've read the baud rate for this should be 9600 which I've set up in GSS, Eqmod and in Com 1 under device manager, I've also ensured everything is set to Com 1. When I tried to connect GSS I now get the 'failed message. Eqmod connects without a problem, I'm certain its a driver issue but I can't seem to resolve it. For the time being I will have to stick with Eqmod which works. Thanks again for your advice. Regards Doug Image showing Com 1 and Baud 9600 in Eqmod. Image showing Com 1 and Baud 9600 in GSS. Image showing Com 1 under Ports in Device manger, this is also set to baud 9600 Image showing the error message I get.

Thanks for the reply. I changed the Com Port to 1 and now I get a timeout error (LOL), I think I'll stick with EQMOD. Doug

HI, I'm trying to give Green Swamp Server a go to see what its like, however I'm having difficulties getting it to run (Great Start). I've downloaded the software onto my Win11 computer and loaded it as usual. When I try to connect the software to my Skywatcher HEQ5 I get the below Error message and it is not showing up in my ports. Does anyone know what this is and how I fix it. Thanks Doug

Hi I just place mine by the focuser, I then have my software auto focus after filter change or 1 degree drop in temp Doug

The Script I have will work with the above antenna and any other using Archer T2U Plus Doug

Hi, Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, I've had a few family problems This is the one I use and I have the script to go with it should you require it. TP-Link AC600 High Gain USB Wi-Fi Dongle, Dual Band Wi-Fi Adapter with 5dBi Antenna for PC/Desktop/Laptop, Supports Windows10/8.1/8/7/XP, Mac OS X 10.9-10.14 (Archer T2U Plus) : Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories Regards Doug

Hi, You can buy an external USB WiFi aerial and by updating the script on the Raspberry Pi you can use this instead of the internal WiFi aerial. I also have the Flirc case with external WiFi aerial. Doug

All sorted now, thanks for looking

Hi, I'm trying to help a friend set up Astroberry on his Raspberry pi. We downloaded the Astroberry software onto the pi and switched it on. After a minute or two we saw the Astroberry hotspot appear on the windows laptop. We entered Astroberry via the hotspot and set up the wireless connection using the name and password for the local network. Once we had done this we shut the pi down and rebooted it. We then entered the I/P address for the router (Sky), when the router page appeared we could see 'Astroberry' so it was clear that the wireless network had located the Astroberry software, alongside this was a mac address, there was no I/P address shown. Does anyone know how we can find out the I/P address for Astroberry as we have so far been unable to login to Astroberry over the wireless network. Thanks Doug

Hi, Just a heads up.....Kstars 3.5.2 was released tonight. Doug

Hi, I used to have a powered USB 3.0 hub attached to the side of my mount then I would run a 10m USB 3.0 cable into my back room and connect it to my computer. This would work but as previously stated 10m is a bit of a push. When I first tried it I could not get it to work as I was using cheap USB 3.0 hub and cables. I paid a lot more for the hub from 'Startech' and the USB 3.0 active cable from Lindy and I got it to work and ran it like that for a number of years. I am now using a RPI 4 attached to my telescope and from this I am running a Cat 6 cable into my house and computer and this works very well. I can also use it over WiFi when not at home as the RPI 4 has its own WIFI which I connect it to. I am running KStart and Ekos on the RPI4. Doug

Fits Liberator allows you to view Fits images on your computer. Doug

Hi Everyone, Thanks for all the replies I'll just use some normal stuff not the quick set. Doug

Thanks for the advice Doug

Hi, I've finally decided that I've had enough carting my astro gear in and out of the house everything I want to do some imaging/observing. I'm also going to buy a heavier mount in the near future so I'm not sure if I'll even be able to carry it out. We are going to do some work on our garden in the spring which includes having a new patio laid. The boss has given me permission for a permanent pier as we can't fit an observatory in. I intend making a concrete pier and have seen a number of similar projects, but I can't find out which type of concrete to use. I've seen multi-purpose, fast set, postcrete etc. I've worked out that I need 8 x 20kg bags of concrete I just need to know what type. Can anyone advise me. Thanks Doug

Thanks, you’ve been a great help and it will assist me in sorting out the portable observatory. Doug

Thanks, Can’t have pier at this time as the boss won’t let me have a permanent set up until we move house so making portable/takedown observatory just for my scope that I can use over the winter. Doug

Hi, I've used my 12v lithium golf battery for about 5/6 years without any problems to my HEQ5 mount. Doug

Hi, can anyone with the above mount/tripod please give me the distance between the tripod legs. Whilst in lockdown I want to build and portable observatory for my telescope. At the moment I have a HEQ 5 but will hopefully be getting the EQ6-R in a few months and want to ensure it will fit in the observatory. Thanks Doug

Hi Terry, Thanks for reply. I'm also connected via ethernet 1gbit so hopefully the downloads will be fairly quick. Thanks again for all the help Doug

Hi Terry, Thanks for the quick reply. I'm running it how you advised earlier this year prior to my ill health, I think I've remembered how you advised me to do it. I have a windows laptop so I open Ekos locally using the IP address for the RPI and connect all my equipment. I then open another instance of Kstars/Ekos on my laptop and go into the RPI remotely. Once this is done I set up imaging plan etc from my laptop. I can then select the folder on my laptop where I want to save the images. Where it says remote do I enter the folder on the PI where I also want the image to save on the PI or do I have to go back into the Pi locally and set this up. Just cant remember how to do it. Doug

Hi, I'm having a play around with my telescope and Ekos trying to remember what I used to do. I can set up Ekos locally and can save the images onto the SSD attached to the RPI. I can also set up EKOS remotely from my laptop and save the images I take onto my laptop. Is there a way that I can take an image and have it save both locally on the SSD and remotely on my laptop. There is a setting for saving images both locally/remotely on Ekos but I cant get it to work. When I am working locally and I set Ekos to save the images to both locations I cannot enter the location of my laptop drive. Can anyone help with this, I just want to save an automatic backup of my images on my laptop. Thanks Doug

Hi, Thanks for the replies, I'll take flats for each filter as advised. Doug

Hi, I've done similar using 3mm Aluminium plate bent over the top of my scope to mount all my equipment onto it. I can then pack it away with everything attached and it is quick to set up. Doug

Hi, I'm just getting back into imaging having been unable to do it for a while due to ill health. I'm using a Zwo 1600MM cool camera with filter wheel and 2" filters. The filter wheel currently has the following filters in it - L, R,G,B, Ha. If I'm taking L, R, G, B, images is it alright to use the flat from the Luminance filter for the R,G,B images or should I take a separate flats for each specific filter. I'm happy that my filters are clean and as they are contained within the sealed filter wheel then my view is the Luminance flats will be alright to use for the other filters as the Luminance flat will show up any dust bunnies etc in my optical train. Is this alright to do as it will save some time. Thanks Doug