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Re: rs 233 to USB conversion

Stuart Heggie <stuart.j.heggie@...>
 

Joe, in case it helps, I'm using a Linksys WRT300N wireless-n router and a Linksys WPC300N wireless-n Notebook adapter (PCMCIA card). My observatory computer has W2000 Pro on it and the house computer has Vista. Setting up the home network is kind of "follow you nose" but what I found I need to do each time I start up the observatory computer is to turn off my Personal Firewall in Norton for a few minutes while the network gets established and then everything behaves.

Stuart

----- Original Message -----
From: jmize@...
To: ap-gto@...
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2007 10:11 AM
Subject: RE: [ap-gto] Re: rs 233 to USB conversion


RS1300rs I'm looking to going the wireless rout too. I use GoldeX Serial to USB Converters into a 4 Port ICRON which converts to
Ethernet for a 150ft run. Last year I lost the inside ICRON box and CAT6 cable because of a ground induced surge picked up in
the underground cable run. I'm quite interested in converting to wireless to eleminate surge potentials. What Router Model/s
did you use, and were they affected by IR window film people have been talking about? Thkx...joe :)

GoldeX "http://www.goldxproducts.com/product/show-product.asp?pid=GXMU-1200"
ICRON "http://www.icron.com/products/usb/usb_ranger_110_410.php"

------- Original Message -------
From : r1300rs[mailto:cardiofuse@...]
Sent : 5/21/2007 8:24:40 AM
To : ap-gto@...
Cc :
Subject : RE: [ap-gto] Re: rs 233 to USB conversion

Stuart:

Hello Stuart. I agree, If you want to go totally "wireless" you need to have routers and laptops
running in the "N" mode to get decent response. I've used this setup with Timbuktu remote
control software and all works easily.

But.....if you want better performance and 150-200 foot range or better use an Ethernet to
USB bridge box. For about $100 you can get a 4 port USB box to velcro to the side of your
tripod or mount. This allows you to connect several USB devices such as: the mount (with
serial to USB converter-$20), the CCD camera (mine is already USB), a remote focuser such as
Robofocus, etc. I have a four port so I can run all three and still have one extra.

Then just run a single Cat6e cable (150 is relatively cheap on line) and connect it to the USB
box on the scope to the receiver box (USB to computer) attached to the computer.

Then you can run everything without the usual interference glitches. This is only one
alternative to going wireless but certainly is easy and FAST.

Let me know if you need pictures or part numbers

To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list
see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto
Yahoo! Groups Links
Re: rs 233 to USB conversion

Joe Mize
 

RS1300rs I'm looking to going the wireless rout too. I use GoldeX Serial to USB Converters into a 4 Port ICRON which converts to
Ethernet for a 150ft run. Last year I lost the inside ICRON box and CAT6 cable because of a ground induced surge picked up in
the underground cable run. I'm quite interested in converting to wireless to eleminate surge potentials. What Router Model/s
did you use, and were they affected by IR window film people have been talking about? Thkx...joe :)

GoldeX "http://www.goldxproducts.com/product/show-product.asp?pid=GXMU-1200"
ICRON "http://www.icron.com/products/usb/usb_ranger_110_410.php"

------- Original Message -------
From : r1300rs[mailto:cardiofuse@...]
Sent : 5/21/2007 8:24:40 AM
To : ap-gto@...
Cc :
Subject : RE: [ap-gto] Re: rs 233 to USB conversion

Stuart:

Hello Stuart. I agree, If you want to go totally "wireless" you need to have routers and laptops
running in the "N" mode to get decent response. I've used this setup with Timbuktu remote
control software and all works easily.

But.....if you want better performance and 150-200 foot range or better use an Ethernet to
USB bridge box. For about $100 you can get a 4 port USB box to velcro to the side of your
tripod or mount. This allows you to connect several USB devices such as: the mount (with
serial to USB converter-$20), the CCD camera (mine is already USB), a remote focuser such as
Robofocus, etc. I have a four port so I can run all three and still have one extra.

Then just run a single Cat6e cable (150 is relatively cheap on line) and connect it to the USB
box on the scope to the receiver box (USB to computer) attached to the computer.

Then you can run everything without the usual interference glitches. This is only one
alternative to going wireless but certainly is easy and FAST.

Let me know if you need pictures or part numbers



To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list
see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto
Yahoo! Groups Links
Re: rs 233 to USB conversion

Stuart Heggie <stuart.j.heggie@...>
 

Thanks! I have a 4 port USB hub on the mount now and everything goes into that and one single USB to the laptop. The appeal of wireless for me is that the laptop is not that powerful but is good for running the imaging session. The house computer is powerful but inconvenient for running the session. Further, I have to cross my driveway and in winter, heavy snowfalls make it a hassle to run wires to the observatory. Still, I think your suggestion is probably best. I will keep it in mind if trouble starts with my wireless setup. Thanks again!

Stuart

----- Original Message -----
From: r1300rs
To: ap-gto@...
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2007 8:24 AM
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: rs 233 to USB conversion


Stuart:

Hello Stuart. I agree, If you want to go totally "wireless" you need to have routers and laptops
running in the "N" mode to get decent response. I've used this setup with Timbuktu remote
control software and all works easily.

But.....if you want better performance and 150-200 foot range or better use an Ethernet to
USB bridge box. For about $100 you can get a 4 port USB box to velcro to the side of your
tripod or mount. This allows you to connect several USB devices such as: the mount (with
serial to USB converter-$20), the CCD camera (mine is already USB), a remote focuser such as
Robofocus, etc. I have a four port so I can run all three and still have one extra.

Then just run a single Cat6e cable (150 is relatively cheap on line) and connect it to the USB
box on the scope to the receiver box (USB to computer) attached to the computer.

Then you can run everything without the usual interference glitches. This is only one
alternative to going wireless but certainly is easy and FAST.

Let me know if you need pictures or part numbers
Re: rs 233 to USB conversion

r1300rs
 

Stuart:

Hello Stuart. I agree, If you want to go totally "wireless" you need to have routers and laptops
running in the "N" mode to get decent response. I've used this setup with Timbuktu remote
control software and all works easily.

But.....if you want better performance and 150-200 foot range or better use an Ethernet to
USB bridge box. For about $100 you can get a 4 port USB box to velcro to the side of your
tripod or mount. This allows you to connect several USB devices such as: the mount (with
serial to USB converter-$20), the CCD camera (mine is already USB), a remote focuser such as
Robofocus, etc. I have a four port so I can run all three and still have one extra.

Then just run a single Cat6e cable (150 is relatively cheap on line) and connect it to the USB
box on the scope to the receiver box (USB to computer) attached to the computer.

Then you can run everything without the usual interference glitches. This is only one
alternative to going wireless but certainly is easy and FAST.

Let me know if you need pictures or part numbers
Lunar or Siderial Tracking for Saturday's Moon-Venus Conjunction

drgert1
 

Hello All,

On Saturday the cirrus clouds prevented deepsky CCD imaging in the Bay
Area. However I wanted to make use of the occasion and so I ended up
taking pictures with the Canon DSLR of the nice conjunction of the
Moon and Venus in the evening sky.

For the photos I used a Tak 4" F8 APO and AP0.67x focal reducer. This
put the conjunction nicely into the frame of the Canon RebelXT DSLR.

Interesting to note that I tried both siderial and lunar tracking for
the longer exposure shots of the sequence. The long one at the end of
the sequence is 15sec. After comparison I decided that it's more
annoying to have dozens of tiny trailed stars that an ever so slightly
smeared moon. So I ended up using the siderial tracking shot for the
sequence on the web page.

I had a lucky shot witht he airplane crossing the moon, too.

http://www.trivalleystargazers.org/gert/moon_venus_20070519/moon_venus_20070519.\;
html


Enjoy,

Gert
Re: rs 233 to USB conversion

Stuart Heggie <stuart.j.heggie@...>
 

Joe, could be a coincidence. I went to the AV store where I bought it, described everything I'd done to get it to work and then the chap stared into space for a second then launched into this line of questions about the windows and how new they were etc. I went back, tried moving it down about 2 feet and voila. So, hardly scientific but certainly pretty darn suspicious.

However, I have fussed with computers long enough to know that nothing is as simple as we want. Other than it deleting my address book and all my favourites today, Vista has been surprisingly stable vs. XP at the same time in its introduction.

Stuart

----- Original Message -----
From: Joseph Zeglinski
To: ap-gto@...
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 6:14 PM
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] rs 233 to USB conversion


Hi Stuart,

Thanks for the explanation about the Linksys and windows.

I too found this problem odd - and was very curious why my cheap (G class)
Giagafast wireless router (set up as a repeater), was weaker looking directly
out of the walkout glass doors, than when I moved it above a bookshelf in the
next room (2 feet away). There, it's signal had to go through 2 inches of
Styrofoam insulation and a brick wall (and even an 8 inch cube of solid
Plexiglas that it was sitting in front of!

However, my 1985 sliding door has the old style thermopane glass, not the
inner optical metallic coated "E-Glass" filter, so I still wonder if your
theory holds. Maybe it's just that the two panes of glass, at a specific
spacing, cause the signal of a certain wavelength to get reflected by a
greater amount than going through brick walls.

Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Stuart Heggie" <stuart.j.heggie@...>
To: <ap-gto@...>
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 5:29 PM
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] rs 233 to USB conversion

> Joe, this is very useful information! I have W2000 on the laptop in the
> observatory and my system does not perform per the promise on the Wireless-N
> router box. BUT, it works so I'm okay. I didn't realize that the wireless-N
> card I bought for the laptop is not working as an "N" card. Rats! I'm using
> VNC Ultra to operate the laptop from the house computer - totally cool.
>
> The good news (for them what are worried) is that my house computer is
> running Vista so I'm talking Vista<->W2000 and it is working. I was quite
> worried this would be a problem.
>
> Also, I learned something about my new windows (glass/metal type, not
> computer OS). I put my Linksys router in the window sill to have a line of
> sight to the observatory and it didn't work at all until it was suggested
> that the window had a metalized layer to keep heat in the house and when I
> moved it down so that it had to "look" through the wooden walls, everything
> started working fine!
>
> Stuart
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Joseph Zeglinski
> To: ap-gto@...
> Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 5:17 PM
> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] rs 233 to USB conversion
>
>
> Hi Stuart,
>
> Just need to add one warning. To get the Draft-N router range and power
> improvement, the old laptop need a matching Draft-N NIC card. In order for
> an
> old laptop to use the new Draft-N host adapter, it also must be running
> WIN-XP, since these new cards aren't supported by Win-98/ME etc. If you
> don't
> use XP or the Draft-N matching pair, you get the standard wireless G range
> performance. Depending on where in the house the wireless router is
> situated
> you might need a repeater, to get any decent range.
>
> I bought one of the new Linksys Draft-N routers but had just a cheap
> Wireless G type laptop host adapter. With the router at the front of the
> house, my laptop lost signal as soon as I went out the back door to the
> yard.
> I then set up a cheap "GIGAFAST or BLANC" wireless router which I got
> during
> their $3 Boxing Day sale, and downloaded the new firmware which now allows
> it
> to be used as a Repeater/Router. I parked it on a bookshelf in the back
> room,
> and now I get about 70% signal strength all the way to the back fence about
> 100 feet beyond the house. The signal repeats just fine from the Linksys
> wireless Draft-N version at the front, through several walls and doorways,
> and
> the e house brick wall, to my observing site.
>
> Also, Mizzou, if you decide on staying with serial cable, the official
> range was about 50 feet. Any farther you need to use "shielded twisted
> pair"
> cable to get 100 feet or a bit more. After that, you would need an old
> style
> modem repeater for the cable. The other way, if staying with cable, is to
> do
> the RS-232 to USB, then with shielded cables again, use a USB signal
> booster
> device.
> I suggest you go with a wireless router, and possibly a repeater, if
> necessary. The Draft-N "matched pair" version might eliminate the need for
> the
> repeater, if you are running WIN-XP or (unfortunately) VISTA.
>
> Joe
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Stuart Heggie" <stuart.j.heggie@...>
> To: <ap-gto@...>
> Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 11:21 AM
> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] rs 233 to USB conversion
>
> > Mizzou - I'm no computer genius but this might be an alternative to
> messing
> > with cables etc. I have an inexpensive laptop in the observatory, also
> about
> > 100' away, and a wireless card in it which talks to the wireless router
> in
> > my house attached to my desktop. It is "wireless N" and reaches the
> > observatory fine. With Pulseguide you could run the mount from inside
> your
> > house and not run wires.
> >
> > Stuart
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: mizzou156
> > To: ap-gto@...
> > Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 10:12 AM
> > Subject: [ap-gto] rs 233 to USB conversion
> >
> >
> > Hello to All,
> > I'm new to the ap 900 mount and astronomy. Mount works fine, but I
> > now want to utilized the remote control software of my laptop. The
> > laptop will be approximately 100ft away from the ap 900 gto, and I
> > realize that I will have to do a rs232 to USB conversion. Is there a
> > list of components and their manufacturers which will allow me to
> > control the mount from that distance?
> > I am not sure how all of the components will go together to make
> > this work. I currently have windows xp ver. 2, but no rs 232 port on
> > the laptop. Starry Night pro ver. 6 and pulseguide software
> > Any help and direction will be appreciated.... Thank
> > You,....Mizzou
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list
> > see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list
> see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
Re: rs 233 to USB conversion

Joe Zeglinski
 

Hi Stuart,

Thanks for the explanation about the Linksys and windows.

I too found this problem odd - and was very curious why my cheap (G class)
Giagafast wireless router (set up as a repeater), was weaker looking directly
out of the walkout glass doors, than when I moved it above a bookshelf in the
next room (2 feet away). There, it's signal had to go through 2 inches of
Styrofoam insulation and a brick wall (and even an 8 inch cube of solid
Plexiglas that it was sitting in front of!

However, my 1985 sliding door has the old style thermopane glass, not the
inner optical metallic coated "E-Glass" filter, so I still wonder if your
theory holds. Maybe it's just that the two panes of glass, at a specific
spacing, cause the signal of a certain wavelength to get reflected by a
greater amount than going through brick walls.

Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Stuart Heggie" <stuart.j.heggie@...>
To: <ap-gto@...>
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 5:29 PM
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] rs 233 to USB conversion


Joe, this is very useful information! I have W2000 on the laptop in the
observatory and my system does not perform per the promise on the Wireless-N
router box. BUT, it works so I'm okay. I didn't realize that the wireless-N
card I bought for the laptop is not working as an "N" card. Rats! I'm using
VNC Ultra to operate the laptop from the house computer - totally cool.

The good news (for them what are worried) is that my house computer is
running Vista so I'm talking Vista<->W2000 and it is working. I was quite
worried this would be a problem.

Also, I learned something about my new windows (glass/metal type, not
computer OS). I put my Linksys router in the window sill to have a line of
sight to the observatory and it didn't work at all until it was suggested
that the window had a metalized layer to keep heat in the house and when I
moved it down so that it had to "look" through the wooden walls, everything
started working fine!

Stuart

----- Original Message -----
From: Joseph Zeglinski
To: ap-gto@...
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 5:17 PM
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] rs 233 to USB conversion


Hi Stuart,

Just need to add one warning. To get the Draft-N router range and power
improvement, the old laptop need a matching Draft-N NIC card. In order for
an
old laptop to use the new Draft-N host adapter, it also must be running
WIN-XP, since these new cards aren't supported by Win-98/ME etc. If you
don't
use XP or the Draft-N matching pair, you get the standard wireless G range
performance. Depending on where in the house the wireless router is
situated
you might need a repeater, to get any decent range.

I bought one of the new Linksys Draft-N routers but had just a cheap
Wireless G type laptop host adapter. With the router at the front of the
house, my laptop lost signal as soon as I went out the back door to the
yard.
I then set up a cheap "GIGAFAST or BLANC" wireless router which I got
during
their $3 Boxing Day sale, and downloaded the new firmware which now allows
it
to be used as a Repeater/Router. I parked it on a bookshelf in the back
room,
and now I get about 70% signal strength all the way to the back fence about
100 feet beyond the house. The signal repeats just fine from the Linksys
wireless Draft-N version at the front, through several walls and doorways,
and
the e house brick wall, to my observing site.

Also, Mizzou, if you decide on staying with serial cable, the official
range was about 50 feet. Any farther you need to use "shielded twisted
pair"
cable to get 100 feet or a bit more. After that, you would need an old
style
modem repeater for the cable. The other way, if staying with cable, is to
do
the RS-232 to USB, then with shielded cables again, use a USB signal
booster
device.
I suggest you go with a wireless router, and possibly a repeater, if
necessary. The Draft-N "matched pair" version might eliminate the need for
the
repeater, if you are running WIN-XP or (unfortunately) VISTA.

Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Stuart Heggie" <stuart.j.heggie@...>
To: <ap-gto@...>
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 11:21 AM
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] rs 233 to USB conversion

> Mizzou - I'm no computer genius but this might be an alternative to
messing
> with cables etc. I have an inexpensive laptop in the observatory, also
about
> 100' away, and a wireless card in it which talks to the wireless router
in
> my house attached to my desktop. It is "wireless N" and reaches the
> observatory fine. With Pulseguide you could run the mount from inside
your
> house and not run wires.
>
> Stuart
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: mizzou156
> To: ap-gto@...
> Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 10:12 AM
> Subject: [ap-gto] rs 233 to USB conversion
>
>
> Hello to All,
> I'm new to the ap 900 mount and astronomy. Mount works fine, but I
> now want to utilized the remote control software of my laptop. The
> laptop will be approximately 100ft away from the ap 900 gto, and I
> realize that I will have to do a rs232 to USB conversion. Is there a
> list of components and their manufacturers which will allow me to
> control the mount from that distance?
> I am not sure how all of the components will go together to make
> this work. I currently have windows xp ver. 2, but no rs 232 port on
> the laptop. Starry Night pro ver. 6 and pulseguide software
> Any help and direction will be appreciated.... Thank
> You,....Mizzou
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list
> see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>









To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list
see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto
Yahoo! Groups Links
Dimensions of 600E dec head

Jeff Young <jey@...>
 

I'm in the process of buying a Mewlon 250 to go on my 600E, but the
mount is in Colorado (and I'm in Ireland). I'm having the Mewlon
mounting plate sent to me here (the scope itself will go straight to
Colorado), but I need the outer diameter of the dec head, and a brief
description of the mouting holes (I have an extra saddle here so I can
accurately measure the holes -- I'm just not sure which holes in the
saddle line up with holes in the 600's dec head).

Thanks,
-- Jeff.
Re: rs 233 to USB conversion

Stuart Heggie <stuart.j.heggie@...>
 

Joe, this is very useful information! I have W2000 on the laptop in the observatory and my system does not perform per the promise on the Wireless-N router box. BUT, it works so I'm okay. I didn't realize that the wireless-N card I bought for the laptop is not working as an "N" card. Rats! I'm using VNC Ultra to operate the laptop from the house computer - totally cool.

The good news (for them what are worried) is that my house computer is running Vista so I'm talking Vista<->W2000 and it is working. I was quite worried this would be a problem.

Also, I learned something about my new windows (glass/metal type, not computer OS). I put my Linksys router in the window sill to have a line of sight to the observatory and it didn't work at all until it was suggested that the window had a metalized layer to keep heat in the house and when I moved it down so that it had to "look" through the wooden walls, everything started working fine!

Stuart

----- Original Message -----
From: Joseph Zeglinski
To: ap-gto@...
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 5:17 PM
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] rs 233 to USB conversion


Hi Stuart,

Just need to add one warning. To get the Draft-N router range and power
improvement, the old laptop need a matching Draft-N NIC card. In order for an
old laptop to use the new Draft-N host adapter, it also must be running
WIN-XP, since these new cards aren't supported by Win-98/ME etc. If you don't
use XP or the Draft-N matching pair, you get the standard wireless G range
performance. Depending on where in the house the wireless router is situated
you might need a repeater, to get any decent range.

I bought one of the new Linksys Draft-N routers but had just a cheap
Wireless G type laptop host adapter. With the router at the front of the
house, my laptop lost signal as soon as I went out the back door to the yard.
I then set up a cheap "GIGAFAST or BLANC" wireless router which I got during
their $3 Boxing Day sale, and downloaded the new firmware which now allows it
to be used as a Repeater/Router. I parked it on a bookshelf in the back room,
and now I get about 70% signal strength all the way to the back fence about
100 feet beyond the house. The signal repeats just fine from the Linksys
wireless Draft-N version at the front, through several walls and doorways, and
the e house brick wall, to my observing site.

Also, Mizzou, if you decide on staying with serial cable, the official
range was about 50 feet. Any farther you need to use "shielded twisted pair"
cable to get 100 feet or a bit more. After that, you would need an old style
modem repeater for the cable. The other way, if staying with cable, is to do
the RS-232 to USB, then with shielded cables again, use a USB signal booster
device.
I suggest you go with a wireless router, and possibly a repeater, if
necessary. The Draft-N "matched pair" version might eliminate the need for the
repeater, if you are running WIN-XP or (unfortunately) VISTA.

Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Stuart Heggie" <stuart.j.heggie@...>
To: <ap-gto@...>
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 11:21 AM
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] rs 233 to USB conversion

> Mizzou - I'm no computer genius but this might be an alternative to messing
> with cables etc. I have an inexpensive laptop in the observatory, also about
> 100' away, and a wireless card in it which talks to the wireless router in
> my house attached to my desktop. It is "wireless N" and reaches the
> observatory fine. With Pulseguide you could run the mount from inside your
> house and not run wires.
>
> Stuart
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: mizzou156
> To: ap-gto@...
> Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 10:12 AM
> Subject: [ap-gto] rs 233 to USB conversion
>
>
> Hello to All,
> I'm new to the ap 900 mount and astronomy. Mount works fine, but I
> now want to utilized the remote control software of my laptop. The
> laptop will be approximately 100ft away from the ap 900 gto, and I
> realize that I will have to do a rs232 to USB conversion. Is there a
> list of components and their manufacturers which will allow me to
> control the mount from that distance?
> I am not sure how all of the components will go together to make
> this work. I currently have windows xp ver. 2, but no rs 232 port on
> the laptop. Starry Night pro ver. 6 and pulseguide software
> Any help and direction will be appreciated.... Thank
> You,....Mizzou
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list
> see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
Re: rs 233 to USB conversion

Joe Zeglinski
 

Hi Stuart,

Just need to add one warning. To get the Draft-N router range and power
improvement, the old laptop need a matching Draft-N NIC card. In order for an
old laptop to use the new Draft-N host adapter, it also must be running
WIN-XP, since these new cards aren't supported by Win-98/ME etc. If you don't
use XP or the Draft-N matching pair, you get the standard wireless G range
performance. Depending on where in the house the wireless router is situated
you might need a repeater, to get any decent range.

I bought one of the new Linksys Draft-N routers but had just a cheap
Wireless G type laptop host adapter. With the router at the front of the
house, my laptop lost signal as soon as I went out the back door to the yard.
I then set up a cheap "GIGAFAST or BLANC" wireless router which I got during
their $3 Boxing Day sale, and downloaded the new firmware which now allows it
to be used as a Repeater/Router. I parked it on a bookshelf in the back room,
and now I get about 70% signal strength all the way to the back fence about
100 feet beyond the house. The signal repeats just fine from the Linksys
wireless Draft-N version at the front, through several walls and doorways, and
the e house brick wall, to my observing site.

Also, Mizzou, if you decide on staying with serial cable, the official
range was about 50 feet. Any farther you need to use "shielded twisted pair"
cable to get 100 feet or a bit more. After that, you would need an old style
modem repeater for the cable. The other way, if staying with cable, is to do
the RS-232 to USB, then with shielded cables again, use a USB signal booster
device.
I suggest you go with a wireless router, and possibly a repeater, if
necessary. The Draft-N "matched pair" version might eliminate the need for the
repeater, if you are running WIN-XP or (unfortunately) VISTA.

Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Stuart Heggie" <stuart.j.heggie@...>
To: <ap-gto@...>
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 11:21 AM
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] rs 233 to USB conversion


Mizzou - I'm no computer genius but this might be an alternative to messing
with cables etc. I have an inexpensive laptop in the observatory, also about
100' away, and a wireless card in it which talks to the wireless router in
my house attached to my desktop. It is "wireless N" and reaches the
observatory fine. With Pulseguide you could run the mount from inside your
house and not run wires.

Stuart
----- Original Message -----
From: mizzou156
To: ap-gto@...
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 10:12 AM
Subject: [ap-gto] rs 233 to USB conversion


Hello to All,
I'm new to the ap 900 mount and astronomy. Mount works fine, but I
now want to utilized the remote control software of my laptop. The
laptop will be approximately 100ft away from the ap 900 gto, and I
realize that I will have to do a rs232 to USB conversion. Is there a
list of components and their manufacturers which will allow me to
control the mount from that distance?
I am not sure how all of the components will go together to make
this work. I currently have windows xp ver. 2, but no rs 232 port on
the laptop. Starry Night pro ver. 6 and pulseguide software
Any help and direction will be appreciated.... Thank
You,....Mizzou









To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list
see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto
Yahoo! Groups Links
Re: rs 233 to USB conversion

Stuart Heggie <stuart.j.heggie@...>
 

Mizzou - I'm no computer genius but this might be an alternative to messing with cables etc. I have an inexpensive laptop in the observatory, also about 100' away, and a wireless card in it which talks to the wireless router in my house attached to my desktop. It is "wireless N" and reaches the observatory fine. With Pulseguide you could run the mount from inside your house and not run wires.

Stuart

----- Original Message -----
From: mizzou156
To: ap-gto@...
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 10:12 AM
Subject: [ap-gto] rs 233 to USB conversion


Hello to All,
I'm new to the ap 900 mount and astronomy. Mount works fine, but I
now want to utilized the remote control software of my laptop. The
laptop will be approximately 100ft away from the ap 900 gto, and I
realize that I will have to do a rs232 to USB conversion. Is there a
list of components and their manufacturers which will allow me to
control the mount from that distance?
I am not sure how all of the components will go together to make
this work. I currently have windows xp ver. 2, but no rs 232 port on
the laptop. Starry Night pro ver. 6 and pulseguide software
Any help and direction will be appreciated.... Thank
You,....Mizzou
rs 233 to USB conversion

mizzou156 <mizzou156@...>
 

Hello to All,
I'm new to the ap 900 mount and astronomy. Mount works fine, but I
now want to utilized the remote control software of my laptop. The
laptop will be approximately 100ft away from the ap 900 gto, and I
realize that I will have to do a rs232 to USB conversion. Is there a
list of components and their manufacturers which will allow me to
control the mount from that distance?
I am not sure how all of the components will go together to make
this work. I currently have windows xp ver. 2, but no rs 232 port on
the laptop. Starry Night pro ver. 6 and pulseguide software
Any help and direction will be appreciated.... Thank
You,....Mizzou
Declination Knob on tha AP1200GTO

Mike <wildwood7711@...>
 

I am having trouble adjusting the altitude knob on my mount, yhe set
screw is weak and while turning it to raise the scope the set screw
slips off the flat area of the threaded shaft. I have tightened it as
much as possible with a hex wrench,it just keeps on working off and
free spins. What can be done to prevent this, I do have a 14"ota and
other accessories that does accumulate quite a bit weight. Seems like
the set screw should have been able to actually enter into the
unthreaded shaft my a mere few milimeters.This would prevent shaft
damage!I know yhe manual states it is easier to adjust this knob w/o
the ota, weights, guide scope attached however it should be able to do
so if required.Like everything else it is always harder to go uphill
then down. I have wore out the set screw how can I go about getting
spares? I am definitely going to need them!
Re: AP155 4 OT

Roland Christen
 

I guess you can argue in all directions on this subject. My initial
thought remains the same, regardless of drizzling and deconvolution.
If you match the size of the pixel to the size of the Airy disc, you
will get 90% of the performance of your system. If you undersample,
you are throwing away resolution that you cannot get back, even with
the fanciest algorithms. Most of the deconvolution processes give you
speudo-resolution with telltale "stringing" of the fainter stars. I
find that objectionable, but then beauty is in the eye .....

Rolando

--- In ap-gto@..., "Joseph M Zawodny" <jmzawodny@...>
wrote:
Well it depends what you are trying to optimize as well as how well
the optical system performs. Take the Tak Epsilon 180 I mentioned,
the
f/2.8 speed should match well with a ~3.75 micron pixel size if you
were going to take a small number of long exposures and your goal
was
to maintain maximum resolution. But the Tak advertises a uniform 10
micron spot size across the full field which (depending upon the
details of spot or MTF really) is probably better matched for a 9
micron pixel if the quantity you are optimizing is resolution.
Perhaps
a better question is who would buy that scope? What are they trying
to
optimize? My guess is that that they are going for large diffuse
objects in a large field. There, the f2.8 will efficiently gather
the
diffuse glow relative to the point stellar sources. Another aspect
of
all of this that has been eluded to but not really focussed on is
some
of the newer resolution enhancing techniques (drizzling for
example).
With these techniques you oversample the optical resolution at high
SNR and employ a deconvolution algorithm to regain the otherwise
lost
resolution due to the inherent pixelization of digital imagery. It
is
a lot of work and requires good knowledge of the optical system to
extract the maximum information, but it does work. There are a lot
of
variables to consider when optimizing the imaging system and they go
beyond hardware to include approach and technique. It ultimately
boils
down to how much data you have (can take), how good the data
(sampling
and SNR) is, and how well you understand it.

As for the SXVF-M8C, it had good geometrical efficiency (high fill
factor) and the QE was typical for front side illuminated detectors.
It had a small full well, but a high speed interface that made it
suitable for stacking lots of images. I'm still waiting for SBIG to
get past the USB 1.1 interface - and it looks like that is in the
works - but will their older models be upgraded to at least USB 2 -
who knows.

Joe
Re: AP155 4 OT

Joseph M Zawodny <jmzawodny@...>
 

--- In ap-gto@..., chris1011@... wrote:

In a message dated 5/17/2007 8:03:20 PM Central Daylight Time,
jmzawodny@... writes:


Not that I would ever want to argue with you and I completely agree
with you on this topic, but I must point out that there are other CCD
manufacturers besides SBIG and FLI out there. The Starlight Express
line of CCD imagers included the SXVF-M8C with 3.125 micron pixels. I
think it was recently discontinued but it was a reasonable match for
the Tak E180 at f/2.8.
What kind of sensitivity versus a 9 micron? Do you still think that
an F2.5
system should use a 9 micron CCD for optimum results?

Rolando


**************************************
See what's free at
http://www.aol.com.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Well it depends what you are trying to optimize as well as how well
the optical system performs. Take the Tak Epsilon 180 I mentioned, the
f/2.8 speed should match well with a ~3.75 micron pixel size if you
were going to take a small number of long exposures and your goal was
to maintain maximum resolution. But the Tak advertises a uniform 10
micron spot size across the full field which (depending upon the
details of spot or MTF really) is probably better matched for a 9
micron pixel if the quantity you are optimizing is resolution. Perhaps
a better question is who would buy that scope? What are they trying to
optimize? My guess is that that they are going for large diffuse
objects in a large field. There, the f2.8 will efficiently gather the
diffuse glow relative to the point stellar sources. Another aspect of
all of this that has been eluded to but not really focussed on is some
of the newer resolution enhancing techniques (drizzling for example).
With these techniques you oversample the optical resolution at high
SNR and employ a deconvolution algorithm to regain the otherwise lost
resolution due to the inherent pixelization of digital imagery. It is
a lot of work and requires good knowledge of the optical system to
extract the maximum information, but it does work. There are a lot of
variables to consider when optimizing the imaging system and they go
beyond hardware to include approach and technique. It ultimately boils
down to how much data you have (can take), how good the data (sampling
and SNR) is, and how well you understand it.

As for the SXVF-M8C, it had good geometrical efficiency (high fill
factor) and the QE was typical for front side illuminated detectors.
It had a small full well, but a high speed interface that made it
suitable for stacking lots of images. I'm still waiting for SBIG to
get past the USB 1.1 interface - and it looks like that is in the
works - but will their older models be upgraded to at least USB 2 -
who knows.

Joe
Re: AP155 4 OT

Dan Richey <drichey@...>
 

Dan Richey

---- Original Message ----
From: "Jon Gunning" <jgunnic514@...>
Date: 5/18/07 11:47 am
To: "ap-gto@..." <ap-gto@...>
Subj: Re: [ap-gto] Re: AP155 4 OT
What is the full well capacity?
JG

----- Original Message -----
From: dvjbaja
To: ap-gto@...
Sent: Friday, May 18, 2007 12:58 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: AP155 4 OT



the QE is 40/46/46% for 480/540/590 nm wavelengths

--- In ap-gto@..., chris1011@... wrote:
>
> In a message dated 5/17/2007 8:33:26 PM Central Daylight Time,
> dvj@... writes:
>
>
> > There is an interesting new chip coming from Kodak. 2.7 x 2.7
micron
> > pixles. Small, 5 megapixel array would would be interesting for
short fl camera
> > lenses.
> >
>
> What kind of sensitivity versus a 9 micron?
>
> Rolando
>
>
> **************************************
> See what's free at
> http://www.aol.com.
>
>
>
>
Re: AP155 4 OT

JON GUNNING
 

What is the full well capacity?
JG

----- Original Message -----
From: dvjbaja
To: ap-gto@...
Sent: Friday, May 18, 2007 12:58 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: AP155 4 OT



the QE is 40/46/46% for 480/540/590 nm wavelengths

--- In ap-gto@..., chris1011@... wrote:
>
> In a message dated 5/17/2007 8:33:26 PM Central Daylight Time,
> dvj@... writes:
>
>
> > There is an interesting new chip coming from Kodak. 2.7 x 2.7
micron
> > pixles. Small, 5 megapixel array would would be interesting for
short fl camera
> > lenses.
> >
>
> What kind of sensitivity versus a 9 micron?
>
> Rolando
>
>
> **************************************
> See what's free at
> http://www.aol.com.
>
>
>
>
Re: M13 - Globular cluster in Hercules

Dan Richey <drichey@...>
 

Dan Richey

---- Original Message ----
From: "ayiomamitis" <ayiomami@...>
Date: 5/18/07 8:47 am
To: "ap-gto@..." <ap-gto@...>
Subj: [ap-gto] Re: M13 - Globular cluster in Hercules
--- In ap-gto@..., "Dave Jurasevich" <howldog@...> wrote:

Hi Anthony,
Hi Dave,


Wow, that's a sweet image of M13. Great work!
Thanks, glad you like it.


Don't you just love imaging with the AP 160?
A scope without limits ... that simple. It really makes each and every
session a real joy and it puts the fun back into astronomy and
astrophotography. On one hand, it almost feels like cheating having
such a premium scope.

Since I've had mine I
hardly use any of my other scopes.
Oh, there are other scopes out there? LOL!


Best Regards,
Best wishes from Greece.

Anthony.


Dave Jurasevich
www.starimager.com


--- In ap-gto@..., Anthony Ayiomamitis <ayiomami@>
wrote:

Dear Friends,

One of the most stunning globular clusters visible from northern
latitudes is M13 in Hercules and which is currently well-placed
right
now for observation and imaging.

For an image of M13 based on two-hours total exposure, please see
http://www.perseus.gr/Astro-DSO-NGC-6205.htm ... please make sure
you
click on the hyperlinked image to load the same image but with much
better image scale. I think my Lum overwhelmed my weak RGB and in
spite
of the fact the histograms are also perfectly matched and,
hopefully,
things will improve dramatically with the imminent arrival of my
(new)
ST-10XME.

Weather permitting this evening, I will pursue M92 also in Hercules
and
also an impressive globular on its own.

Clear skies!

Anthony.
Re: AP155 4 OT

John Gleason
 

the QE is 40/46/46% for 480/540/590 nm wavelengths



--- In ap-gto@..., chris1011@... wrote:

In a message dated 5/17/2007 8:33:26 PM Central Daylight Time,
dvj@... writes:


There is an interesting new chip coming from Kodak. 2.7 x 2.7
micron
pixles. Small, 5 megapixel array would would be interesting for
short fl camera
lenses.
What kind of sensitivity versus a 9 micron?

Rolando


**************************************
See what's free at
http://www.aol.com.
Re: bluetooth to the mount!

rsampsonus
 

Hey Jeff,


I also use Bluetooth on my AP1200GTO and with the help of Howard
from AP he sent me the pinout of Com port 1 and Com port 2 and I can
say without a doubt the Bluetooth adapter will not work without a
Power Source. I took an built a little additional circuit (DC/DC Step
down Convertor)to come off the 12.0 Volt input connector where it
mounts to the circuit Board.(Howard was a little concern with me
initially leaching power off any of their current supplies as the
regulator get warm with both servos motors are running, so I opted to
build my own supply) The Convertor gives me 5.0 Volts to run
my "Socket" Bluetooth adapter. Pin # 9 is open per the Pinout of Com
1 that Howard set to me. So I tie the 5.0 volts to pin 9 on Com port
1 to power the adapter.
I am currently running a Pocket PC (IPAQ 2795) with the Sky with
T-point (although I haven't had a chance to generate a pointing model
yet in T-point). The only issue I am finding is running Bluetooth on
the Pocket PC is battery life and I just purchased the heavy duty
battery pack that has twice the standard battery packs capacity. I
will post pictures of design and setup in a bit my personal life is a
little busy currently.

Best Regards and for Gods sake how about some clear
Skies up here in the Northeast during a new moon, Ron S



--- In ap-gto@..., "Jeff Young" <jey@...> wrote:

Dick --

Cool. I'll be very interested to find out....

-- Jeff.



________________________________

From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...]
On
Behalf Of dtlnew
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2007 3:20 AM
To: ap-gto@...
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: bluetooth to the mount!



I didn't try without the battery yet, but I will this
weekend. I
doubt it will work, but I'll let you know...

-Dick Locke

--- In ap-gto@... <mailto:ap-gto%
40yahoogroups.com>
, "Jeff Young" <jey@> wrote:
>
> Dick --
>
> Did you need to use the BlueConsole's external 9V battery,
or
was there
> sufficient power on the mount's RS232 ports?
>
> -- Jeff.
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: ap-gto@... <mailto:ap-gto%
40yahoogroups.com>
[mailto:ap-gto@... <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> ]
On
> Behalf Of dtlnew
> Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2007 6:17 PM
> To: ap-gto@... <mailto:ap-gto%
40yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: [ap-gto] Re: bluetooth to the mount!
>
>
>
> Dennis,
>
> Thanks.
>
> Your description of when synch should be used is consistent
with
> the
> instructions. What I was specifically doing was using "The
Sky
> 6"
> synch command on the telescope tab of the object information
> menu.
>
> I have no idea if that does a sync or rcal, or something
else!
>
> -Dick Locke
>
> --- In ap-gto@...
<mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com>
> , "Dennis Persyk" <dpersyk@> wrote:
> >
> > Hello Dick,
> >
> > Thanks for the informative web page. I was concerned about
> your
> > advice regarding "re-synching": "So the strategy is to
just
> slew to
> > a bright star in the part of the sky you want to be in,
> re-synch the
> > mount to that star after you slew, and then you will have
good
>
> > accuracy in that part of the sky."
> >
> > I thought sync is applied only to the first star of the
> session and
> > Rcal is used thereafter to tweak the mount pointing to a
given
>
> > sector of the sky. I'm sure Roland will clarify this - it
has
> only
> > come up about a gazillion times in the past few years I've
> been on
> > the list.
> >
> > Clear skies,
> >
> > Dennis Persyk
> > Igloo Observatory Home Page http://dpersyk.home.att.net
<http://dpersyk.home.att.net>
> <http://dpersyk.home.att.net <http://dpersyk.home.att.net>

> > Hampshire, IL
> >
> > New Images http://home.att.net/~dpersyk/new.htm
<http://home.att.net/~dpersyk/new.htm>
> <http://home.att.net/~dpersyk/new.htm
<http://home.att.net/~dpersyk/new.htm> >
> >
> > --- In ap-gto@...
<mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com>
> <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> , "dtlnew" <dtlnew@>
wrote:
> > >
> > > The skies have not cooperated much since my 900GTO
arrived,
> but
> > it's
> > > been out a couple of times. Yesterday I was able to get
a
> > bluetooth
> > > connection going between my laptop and the mount. See
> > >
http://www.dl-digital.com/astrophoto/P2-Astro/AP-900-GTO.htm
<http://www.dl-digital.com/astrophoto/P2-Astro/AP-900-GTO.htm>
> <http://www.dl-digital.com/astrophoto/P2-Astro/AP-900-
GTO.htm
<http://www.dl-digital.com/astrophoto/P2-Astro/AP-900-GTO.htm> >
> > >
> > > -Dick Locke
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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