Quick walkthrough: What do I need to install on my PC to control my rig remotely?

[raf2020]

As I remember it was painful for me at the beginning to find complex list of the software that needs to be installed on your PC to control your rig remotely so I have decided to tie all things together and share.

 

 

I will try to explain it simplest I can. As whole idea is quite complex I am not going to be too detailed. You can treat it as quick catch up for novices and beginners only. I have tested it all on Windows 10.

I am a beginner as well but true is that I have struggled a lot to find those information all together (what actually you need to install) so it could make some confusion for novices I think. That’s why I want to tight things a bit together and reveal the tip of the iceberg. But at least COMPLETE tip. It should be suitable for most of equatorial mounts with guider.

First why I am not using SynScan hand controller? Answer is simple. Controlling rig through PC is way more accurate and more convenient. So in general I have USB hub attached to one of tripod legs.

To this hub I have connected:

• HEQ5 Pro mount through EQDIR USB cable (it is plugged on mount into hand controller port)
• ZWO ASI 120MM-S guide camera which is attached to my guide scope
• Canon 6D camera
• 2 x dew heater straps (for scope and guide scope). Those are attached to charging only ports on my USB HUB.

Mentioned USB HUB is plugged to the laptop which is outside, close to my rig during sessions. Then I use RDP to connect to laptop from inside of my house as both, laptop and my desktop are connected to the same router.

Concept is simple as you can see but it needs whole bunch of software to be installed and configured to work properly. Again I will go through it quickly to do not mess too much and I will try to provide links for some tutorials which I have used at the beginning to understand whole concept.

• ASCOM; You can understand it as a platform which will create environment for EQMOD driver (I will explain what EQMOD is in next paragraph). This, alongside with EQMOD, is core part which will communicate with your rig through USB and also will create a kind of link between all astrophotography software that you need. Please watch Dylan’s short vid who has explained it in convenient way: https://youtu.be/Se88i3Cs6M0. You can find and download ASCOM platform in here: https://ascom-standards.org/.
• EQMOD (EQASCOM) is a driver that provides the astronomical 'brains' of the mount control system as per: http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/eqaindex.html. As you can see there a list of functionality is huge. You can download it from here: https://sourceforge.net/projects/eq-mod/files/EQASCOM/.
• FTDI Virtual COM Port Driver is another small piece of software that you need to install. In general it is driver for your EQDIR cable. To be honest I haven’t heard about it in ANY tutorial. Like everybody has forgot about it but without it nothing will work. So in general EQDIR USB cable needs to be emulated as standard COM/Serial device. You can find it in here: https://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm. It will install itself as COM1, 2 or 3 device. You will need to pick same port in EQMOD with same speed.

Above three apps are core and needs to be installed. If you have doubts (I am sure you do, like I had a bit more than a month ago) please just lurk YouTube and watch more related tutorials.

You will need also to install drivers for your main and guide cameras. You can find it on your manufacturers website.

Now I will describe software of my choice (of course you can pick another, as there is a few alternatives for each of it). Those software will let you auto guide your object in more accurate way, perform polar alignment without looking through polar scope, will help you to plan your session on particular objects and check FOV, will control your main camera wit GoTo functionality and many others:

• PHD2. Ok in here there are no alternatives. If you have decided to control remotely you rig you need an autoguiding software and PHD2 is probably only or at least best and simplest option. In general it will connect with your mount, guider, will “stick” on one or more stars close to your object, will look on it carefully through your guide scope/guide camera and will send information to your mount how and where it should move to stay on track. You can visit again Dylan for more info: https://youtu.be/Mt0luBLaHDw. You can download PHD2 from here: https://openphdguiding.org/. This is first example of software that will communicate and control your rig through 3 core software described above.
• SharpCap; This is actually software of my pick. Its main purpose is planetary astrophotography but it has one very useful for me functionality. A great and cheap tool for polar alignment. You don’t even need to look through your polar scope or spent fortune on dedicated polar cameras. It will use your guide scope camera! I have used this tutorial to learn it: https://youtu.be/ivlgbgNIeTU. It is really simple and straight forward. No more kneeling in the wet grass for just 10 quids: https://www.sharpcap.co.uk/. If you struggling with standard PA process you should definitely consider to check it out. I am super happy with it. Cheers @SharpCap.
• Stellarium. This is planetarium software of my pick. I use it to plan my session in time, plan FOV (at what angle should the main camera be attached to the focuser to cover object in best possible way) and before I used it as GoTo tool (now I use Plate Solving GoTo). You can find more info and download it in here: http://stellarium.org/ A lot of people use app called  “Cartes du Ciel” but I have never tried it..
• Astro Photography Tool – APT. Next software of my pick. I use it to control my main camera, plate solving and few other minor, but still very important things. Cost is less than 20 quids per year for further updates. I think I have decided for APT because I like interface, functionality and something silly- most of experienced astrophotographers which I have watched on YT have used it. And I absolutely do not regret it. You can check demo version or buy it in here: https://www.astrophotography.app/downloads.php. You can watch Trevor’s walkthrough as well: https://youtu.be/icd9Tlrb9Jg. Lots of astrophotohraphers uses NINA which is offering similar functionality and it’s free. I haven’t tried it for longer yet as I have already get used to APT but if you want and you will like it - it could save you 20 quids.
• Plate Solving – is one of very cool APT and NINA functionality (based on external free software). In general it works like this: You can for example take a blind shoot of night sky and ask plate solve software to tell you where exactly you are shooting with your scope and how FOV look like for you. So if your software knows it already it can take you to any other object on the sky just like that (like GoTo). I have learned how to install and use it from this video: https://youtu.be/dpYXoYEKFpA. It is 2 apps plus databases.

You can also consider to buy (or at least check out) ZWO ASIAir. In general it is micro PC which has all software similar to above installed and tied together on one simple panel which you can control through WiFi on your tablet. A lot of astrophotographers use it. I didn’t have any occasion to try it yet but it looks so complex and simple in the same time. Definitely it looks very convenient and handy as well.

At the end just few words about post processing software of my choice:

• AstroPixelProcessor; why I have decided to pay 60 quids to rent (or 200 to own) software to stack images if there is free Deep Sky Stacker? Because I live in Bortle class 7/8 area so my data is not the best quality. I have found that APP is handling it much better and it has important for me, and well working functionality to remove light pollution and perform initial photo stretch. You can find more info in here: https://www.astropixelprocessor.com/. I have learned it from Tim’s tutorial: https://youtu.be/9EAKNqZ201Q. It is very simple in use as you won’t need to change most of the default settings. Someday maybe I will switch to PixInsight which offers even more cool postprocessing functionalities but like for now I am happy with APP + PS 2021.
• PhotoShop. I am absolutely not PS magician but I just get used to it already. You can try free GIMP if you would like to.

If you have read this to the end you see that actually to control your rig remotely and PP your photos you need to install… around 15 different applications and drivers. As I have mentioned at the beginning this makes a lot of confusion for beginners because you can find detailed instructions for particular programs or drivers but you will never find complex list from A to Z (at least I haven’t found) of software that you will need. I will highlight it once again that most of the described apps are my personal choice and you can find other options (I have tried to provide a few alternatives). Another problem is that most of this software needs to be configured properly so unfortunately you will need to dig more on your own but I think this is pretty good portion of information if you have just started.

Good luck and clear skies,

Raf

Edited January 10, 2021 by raf2020

[Rich1980]

That's a brilliant write up and can relate to so much of it. 

I started out using a polemaster and their software to polar align then APT to plate solve and capture images. Phd to guide. All connected by a USB hub with long cables to the laptop so I can sit in the car and keep somewhat warmer. I then sold the polemaster and used Sharpcap to polar align. 

I now use an old ASIair and a ipad, no cables running from the scope is a joy but the simplicity of the asiair to align, navigate, auto focus and capture images is so much easier than anything else I've tried. 

Always taking my gear out and about I needed as simple and quick a way of setting up so I could get on with imaging. 

 

My full setup process when out in the field now is-

Setup mount legs (level and facing North) 

Attach mount

Attach scope (camera, asiair, powerbox already attached)

Attach guide scope and plug in (camera already attached) 

Plug in powerbox & mount

Use ipad to roughly focus then polar align

Get out the cold, navigate to target, start guiding, autofocus, start capture process 👍

 

Processing afterwards is the next step I need to sort out so will have a look at APP and Pixinsight after seeing many recommendations. 

[M40]

On 10/01/2021 at 13:12, raf2020 said:

FTDI Virtual COM Port Driver is another small piece of software that you need to install. In general it is driver for your EQDIR cable. To be honest I haven’t heard about it in ANY tutorial. Like everybody has forgot about it but without it nothing will work. So in general EQDIR USB cable needs to be emulated as standard COM/Serial device. You can find it in here: https://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm. It will install itself as COM1, 2 or 3 device. You will need to pick same port in EQMOD with same speed.

Just to add to the great write up, the FTDI driver did not install automatically for me, so downloaded the drivers and went through the process and it still didn't play. If this happens to you, go to the FTDI site, find the drivers and download the exe file, the file then installs the drivers and off it goes.

Enjoy 

[raf2020]

Hey @M40. If I remember well, driver itself without package needs mount to be plugged and turned on. Then you can go to device manager, select newly appeared device and install driver for it. Executable one could be more convenient but tbh I didn't try it. 

Cheers buddy!

[nfotis]

I feel that this topic should be a sticky.

 

N.F.

[M40]

After watching a few of Martins Astrophotography youtube video's I thought it worth mentioning an alternative method of remote connection to the mount.

One challenge I had was being able to polar align and do star alignment remotely from the laptop as I haven't yet got to using sharpcap etc. so I needed to do this locally from the handset. I apparently have a version 5 synscan handset which has a usb port and requires a typical printer type usb cable. Earlier versions of the handset have a serial type cable which came with the handset but you may require a serial to usb adapter to connect to your laptop. Install all the eqmod and ascom software as Raf said but rather than use an eqdir cable use the usb port on the handset. If you are using the synscan gps unit, disconnect this from the handset. Carry out your polar alignment and star alignment using the handset as usual then when you have finished, go to the utilities menu and select PC direct mode, plug in the usb cable at this point. You can now move into the warm and use the controls installed on your laptop. Out of interest, the handset direction controls can still be used.

Enjoy

Edited April 10, 2021 by M40
added some info

[iapa]

Re the ZWOASIAair Pro

i recently purchased on of these and they really are very straight forward to setup and use.

4 x 12v power cables are supplies as is 1 x USB->RS232 serial adapter cable for those with out USB socked on their hand controller and a USB memory stick.

Equipment installed/controlled

• Cooled OSC imaging camera - with 2x USB2 port hub
• guide camera
• focus motor
• german equatorial mount - NOT using  EQMod -
• this controller has USB port - do have an earlier controller without USB connected to a different mount

 

After connecting the accessories, use mobile device to connect to ASIAIR_xxxxxx network  and open ASIAir app

That’s the connections done.

At the first screen connected devices will show along with location taken from mobile device.

you need to enter the guide scope focal length, you can use 0 for image camera and plate solving will populate the correct value.

second screen shows an icon for each connected device, vey not connected, white connected. Current version shows:

• Wifi
• imaging camera
• guiding
• mount
• filter wheel
• focuser
• storage

tapping on one will show relevant settings page.

on the right hand side, a set of ellipses, a “view” mode, subsequent icons vary per screen

the view mode allows you to select:

• Focusing controls, manual or auto
• PA - polar alignment, very simple to use
• Preview - real time view of image camera
• Autorun - set up target, exposure binning. Also allows setting for calibration frames
• Video - for lucky imaging.

 

** generally you would power the mount separately. my light weight AVX slewing current is quite low so, the recommended ASI mains adapter is more than up to the job. Heavier mounts would definitely need separate power.

 

 

 

 

[raf2020]

On 09/04/2021 at 22:16, M40 said:

After watching a few of Martins Astrophotography youtube video's I thought it worth mentioning an alternative method of remote connection to the mount.

One challenge I had was being able to polar align and do star alignment remotely from the laptop as I haven't yet got to using sharpcap etc. so I needed to do this locally from the handset. I apparently have a version 5 synscan handset which has a usb port and requires a typical printer type usb cable. Earlier versions of the handset have a serial type cable which came with the handset but you may require a serial to usb adapter to connect to your laptop. Install all the eqmod and ascom software as Raf said but rather than use an eqdir cable use the usb port on the handset. If you are using the synscan gps unit, disconnect this from the handset. Carry out your polar alignment and star alignment using the handset as usual then when you have finished, go to the utilities menu and select PC direct mode, plug in the usb cable at this point. You can now move into the warm and use the controls installed on your laptop. Out of interest, the handset direction controls can still be used.

Enjoy

If you have guide cam you definitely should try SharpCap or something similar because of at least 3 reasons. It is quicker, more accurate and more reliable as EQDIR cable is plugged directly to your mount (to hand controller port) so ASCOM/EQMOD "talks" directly to it, not through middle device, the SynScan. But I know a lot of people still use connection through hand controller because they just... get used to it

Cheers buddy and clear skies!

[masjstovel]

1 hour ago, raf2020 said:

If you have guide cam you definitely should try SharpCap or something similar because of at least 3 reasons. It is quicker, more accurate and more reliable as EQDIR cable is plugged directly to your mount (to hand controller port) so ASCOM/EQMOD "talks" directly to it, not through middle device, the SynScan. But I know a lot of people still use connection through hand controller because they just... get used to it

Cheers buddy and clear skies!

Very nice post, that will help alot of beginners im sure of. Good job!
I had alot of the same issues like you when starting up with this a couple of years ago. Used probably 3-4 months on the "I need ASCOM, but what the heck IS IT actually?" to understand it. 

Also;  I use my MAIN camera for SharpCap Polar Alignment, and NOT the guidecam.
What will be different is:
1. The angle that will not be perfectly the same between main and guide camera if you dont have an OAG.
2. The focal length of the main scope will (logically for me at least) make a more accurate polar alignment as opposed to with the shorter focal length of the guidescope.

Also, on image capturing program i feel Sequence Generator Pro (SGP) is really worth a mention. I love that software. IMO it is intuitive to use and easy to get started without "understanding" what every button is for, and at the same time there are all the options/settings available for when your level has increased as well. 

Edited April 11, 2021 by masjstovel