MikeP

Quote

Now if only they could get it to stop rearranging my desktop 

IconRestorer will put it back to your last save.

Mike

Hi Bottletopburly,

My cable is quite old and has the blue bit on the RJ45(?) end that plugs into the mount. 

You will see from my post above that normal service has been resumed but I'm going to follow you lead (no pun intended) and buy a Lynx replacement.  Windows updates mean I can't easily isolate my computers from potential harmful effects but a more modern cable / driver is a small price to pay for hopefully reducing the probability of future problems.

Thanks for replying. 

Mike

PS Don't suppose you'd care to explain your user name would you? 😀

Hi Atreta. 

I took your advice and tried the Toolbox.  It gave a message indicating it could not find the port - at least that was consistent.  I went back to the Device Manager and looked at the properties for the port and found an error code of 10 - that was not showing yesterday.  Following HitecAstro's instructions, I uninstalled and deleted the driver and reinstalled.  Error code went away but still with the same results in Toolbox. 

More out of hope than expectation, I uninstalled the driver in port properties and then click install driver.  I expected a dialogue asking where to get the driver from but it just installed.  Result - success in Toolbox.

I restarted the laptop, started CduC, connected to the mount and happily slewed back and forth.  I have no idea where Windows got the driver from or why the Hitecastro one worked then didn't work but all OK now.

Thank you for taking the trouble to respond.

Mike

Having bought a new portable imaging rig based around an ASIAir, I decided to revamp the wiring and software in my observatory.  I now have a Raspberry Pi at the mount connected into my home network and connected to the mount  via USB using a HitecAstro Eqdir.  Using KStars on my obsy Windows 10 PC, I can control the mount via the RPI, so the Eqdir cable seems to be OK.

When I bought the mobile rig, I bought a Polemaster so I thought while I was at it, I might as well polar align the obsy mount.  It is awkward to see the monitor from the mount, so I used a Windows 10 laptop.  I disconnected the Eqdir from the RPi and plugged it and the Polemaster into the laptop.  I tried to connect to the mount using Cartes du Ciel but couldn't.  The Eqmod interface (or something) flashes on and then immediately off.  I tried using EQASCOM_Run, that does the same but does so continuously and has to be killed (Kill EQASCOM doesn't stop it).

Eventually I gave up and connected to the mount via RPi and used that to do the slewing part of the Polemaster routine, which worked fine.

While trying to get the laptop to connect to the mount, I checked the port to which the PL2303 HitecAstro was assigned and made sure it was correctly set in EQASCOM and I also replaced the driver.  I couldn't think of anything else to try.

The only other thing I noticed was that clicking on the Find button in the EQASCOM set up could not find a port.

I'm pretty sure the laptop is the problem but I don't know where.  I have the latest ASCOM, EQASCOM and CduC.

Does anyone have any ideas?  I've been using EQMOD for years so I am quite embarrassed to ask.

Mike

Mike   

Hi Alan,

Many years ago I had problems with an EQ6 with EQMOD.  This was my solution:

1. Slew to anything.  Slew back to Polaris.
2. Switch off the mount, disconnect / shut down the planetarium program.
3. Undo the clutches and physically put the scope back to the home position - just eyeball it.
4. Switch back on, reconnect etc and try again.

Mike

Another vote for VSCode

Mike

That sounds good value Michael.

Mike

Are the bolts different lengths and you have the round the wrong way?

Mike

I'll bring issues 12 to 133 of Sky At Night magazine (not including the CDs) if anyone wants them.  They are just taking up space (no pun) and I never look at them.  Free to a good home.

PM me if you are interested,

Mike

Probably sounded like I was bragging

There is a big difference between bragging and just being proud of what you have built.  I'm positive you are in the latter camp. 

I'm enjoying your build and I'm very impressed with your attention to detail.  Good luck with the weather and your roof design.

Mike

You naughty, naughty boy. :laugh:

ClearOutside said clear for me last night too.  As I set up in the afternoon it was cloudy and I had to temporarily cover up when a shower passed through - Mrs MikeP thought I was nuts. 

By 9pm it was clear and stayed that way till I gave up at 1:30 when dew defeated me.

Mike

I've been following this thread for a while and I'm very impressed with the work that you have done. In some ways it will be a shame when you finish.

Mike

Hi Probablynot,

Good luck with MWAS - I'd not seen this thread before and you certainly made me chuckle. I bet you double your membership before SGL does.

Mike

Well written and comprehensive review John.

Congratulations of reaching 10,000 posts too.

Mike

Downloaded and saved - thanks very much Mark.

Mike

Jolly well done James and Joshua. Astronomers Royal of the future.

There were quite a few entries and I was impressed with the standard. The four that Steve listed were so close that I had to do a couple of recounts to be sure of the winners,

I've attached a PDF of the answers.

Well done to everyone that entered.

Mike

StarNamesSolution.pdf

I have constructed a puzzle for you to try at SGL5. It is one of those word search puzzles where words are hidden in a grid of letters.

There will be an exciting prize for the winner.

Keep an eye open on the forum for an announcement if you want to know what it is.

When you arrive at Lucksall, come and find me and I'll give you a copy of the puzzle, a name badge and a label for your tent / caravan. You can hand in your entry at any time - I'll check them and announce the winner on the forum next week.

Could I ask that you let me have the badges back please. They cost enough to make it worthwhile recycling them at future star parties.

Good luck

HINT: You may want to brush up on your knowledge of star names before you set off :)

Mike

There are 72 pitches with electricity at Lucksall. Many of you have offered to share but this is only feasible for those electric pitches that back on to non-electric ones - at a guess around 11 or 12.

So far the number of electric pitches booked are:

31 Thursday

45 Friday

45 Saturday

There is still some confusion. The members on the list below are the only members who have REGISTERED to attend SGL5. Many of you expressed an interest in attending prior to today (4th March 2010) when registration opened. To register, click on the link in the SGL5 Star Party banner.

I'll update the following list as often as I can, so please don't panic if you have registered and don't see your details below:

 
[FONT=Fixedsys][U]SGL ID[/U]                  [U]Nights[/U]  [U]Electricity[/U]     [U]Paid[/U]
lulu57             Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
MikeP              Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
+barkis 
NickH                  Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
Ford Prefect       Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
Baz Senior         Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
jahmanson              Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
Astrosurf              Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
michaelmorris      Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
Paxo               Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
SteveL             Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
Helen              Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
Stephen Green      Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
Sarah              Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
RoyHoll            Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
Peter Shah             Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
[/FONT][FONT=Fixedsys]Jamie              Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
Andrew*                Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
TJ                 Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
Steve              Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
James              Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
BeyondVision       Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
lunator                Fri Sat     Yes          Yes[/FONT][FONT=Fixedsys]
RobH               Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
TheThing           Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
+Silverstreak
Breakintheclouds       Fri Sat     No           Yes
Mark at Beaufort       Fri Sat     No           Yes
rowan46            Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
drummerp           Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
[/FONT][FONT=Fixedsys]daneel             Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes[/FONT]

Continued to avoid scrolling ...

[FONT=Fixedsys][U]SGL ID[/U]                  [U]Nights[/U]  [U]Electricity[/U]     [U]Paid[/U][/FONT]
[FONT=Fixedsys]Michigander        Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
[/FONT][FONT=Fixedsys]Astronut           Thu Fri Sat     No           Yes
adamsp123          Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
mdstuart           Thu Fri Sat     No           Yes
RikMcRae           Thu Fri Sat     No           Yes
paulhereford               Sat     Registration Only
beulah                 Fri         Registration Only
dobserver          Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
+dark knight
+Star Struck 97
teddy                  Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
jinstan            Thu Fri Sat     No           Yes
old codger         Thu Fri Sat     Registration Only
MickD                      Sat     No           Yes
Mutley                 Fri Sat     No           Yes
Stevewolves        Thu Fri Sat     No           Yes
starflyer          Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
dean                   Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
AllanJ             Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
Helen (2nd pitch)  Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
George             Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
marky              Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
lostinspace        Thu Fri Sat     Registration Only
MartinB            Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
albedo0.39             Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
LaVey                  Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
Daz & MiniDaz      Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
ChrisMseeker           Fri Sat     Registration Only
Neil Hankey        Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
[/FONT][FONT=Fixedsys]Marcdearn              Fri Sat     Yes          Yes[/FONT]

and again ...

[FONT=Fixedsys][U]SGL ID[/U]                 [U]Nights[/U]  [U]Electricity[/U]      [U]Paid
[/U][/FONT][FONT=Fixedsys]Stefski                Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
mat1t                  Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
JCJC                   Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
ashenlight             Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
slipperysquid      Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
kesom                      Sat     No           Yes
boboco                 Fri Sat     Yes          Pending
RoyHoll(2nd pitch) Thu Fri Sat     No           Yes
Jarndyce               Fri Sat     No           Yes
Richie Jarvis      Thu Fri Sat     Yes          Yes
flyingpig              Fri         No           Yes
bulldog_keiran             Sat     Yes          Yes
[/FONT] 

I'm glad Helen made this a sticky because these are great links.

I'm pleased to say that following brympton's post I ordered from Stig Fasteners and the bolts work a treat.

Thank you everyone.

Mike

Some great links there. Thank you everyone, I'm pretty sure I can get what I need now.

Mike

It seems the heads of M8 allen head bolts are are 13mm - the two bolts I have are exactly that.

I'm waiting for Model Fixings to call me back, so they may have something slightly smaller without resorting to M6's (which I'm sure will fit).

Mike

Gosh, thanks for all the replies and offers of help. I'll try the sources suggested but at the risk of chancing my arm ....

Does anyone know the diameter of the heads of M8 socket head bolts, that also seem to go by the name allen bolts?

I've got a new ADM Losmandy dovetail for my TOA130 since the Vixen is too insubstantial. Anthony has enlarged some of the holes to take 8mm bolts but while his countersinks fit the bolts he had to hand, the ones I have don't quite fit and are a bit short anyway.

Mike