Hi
I’m looking for a GPS solution that I can use with GTOCP4 or windows. Preferably something I can use with GTOCP4. My issue is that I’m so close to AZ and NM border my internet, a mobile phone, can’t always decide whether or not I’m in pacific or mountain time zone. I use the GPS device Losmandy sells for my G11. I’d like to hear everyone’s favorite solution for GTOCP4. I wonder also if there’s a way to adapt the Losmandy GPS to connect to GTOCP4.

Cheers

Mike

Thanks!  That's perfect.  I'll probably leave it alone for now. 

-Stacey

I've noticed a bit of "looseness" in the Dec axis on my Mach2.  The RA axis has no loose movement at all.  I assume there's an adjustment for this, I just haven't been able to find a reference.  

Thanks!

-Stacey

Hello all,

Here are new BETA versions of APCC Standard and Pro.

Note that I said BETA! I've tested them to the best that I can, but please only download/try these if you want to try a specific new
feature. There is also more work to be done updating the help file. That said, you can easily downgrade APCC by reinstalling the
last public releases on the astro-physics web site.

Here are most of the changes:

APCC Standard / Pro - Because the NASA Horizons website has been revamped, copying/pasting the website data no longer works as
instructed in the help. However, the web site now allows you to download the file. Horizons (the application) now has a new button,
that when clicked, allows you to select the downloaded ephemeris file.
APCC Standard / Pro - Provides an additional time offset for meridian flip point for Sequence Generator Pro users. Occasionally
someone has reported a flip has not occurred because of a race condition between SGPro and the mount. This offset can be used to
move the flip point so that flips reliably occur.
APCC Pro - Any calculated pointing term that exceeds a predetermined maximum value is set to 0 to prevent huge over-corrections when
using the all-sky pointing models. When generating Dec Arc models sometimes the generated pointing model will have crazy-high term
values. This change zeros out any pointing term with a crazy-high value so that pointing will not be grossly wrong.
APCC Pro - The 3D View now follows the Mach 2 position even when declutched. You might see warnings pop up in this version, but
those will be removed in the next release build.

The following change requires a license dated August 1, 2020 or later:

APCC Pro - APPM - Add check box to ASTAP plate solve configuration to use FITS header for RA, Dec, and image scale.
APCC Pro - APPM - Add new command line switch (-M) to accept configuration on the Measurement Points tab. This is for Dec-Arc
support using NINA's method of kicking off a dec-arc modeling run before imaging.

APCC Standard BETA:
https://www.apastrosoftware.com/apcc_download/APCC_Standard_BETA_Setup_1.9.1.0.exe

APCC Pro BETA:
https://www.apastrosoftware.com/apcc_download/APCC_Pro_BETA_Setup_1.9.1.1.exe

-Ray Gralak

My setup is semi-permanent, e.g. mount is setup on my back patio.  I do not move my Losmandy FHD tripod and generally keep my mount attached.  If it looks like bad winter weather is coming, I will carry my mount (ex tripod) inside.  If the forecast is for several days of good weather, I also keep the scope/camera assembled on the mount, covering with a thick towel and a scope cover.  When the scope/camera is inside, I cover the naked mount with a large plastic trash can with a scope cover on top.  I also keep a gun cabinet warming rod plugged in to keep humidity down under the cover.  When I first got my G11 (my very 1st mount) in Spring 2018, I would carry my mount and tripod in/out to my basement.  But in Fall 2018, I was T-boned by a car while riding my bike, totally destroying my knee (shattered Tibia Plateau), so I need to limit my carrying in/out.  Pre accident, cycling was my main hobby (up to 9K miles/year), but luckily I had just started down the rabbit hole of astrophotography.  Thinking about AP was the main thing I would think about for the 6 weeks I was immobile in the hospital or rehab facility or the many months of wheelchair bound at home recovering.  So now AP is my main hobby.

The WiFi is connected to my home's WiFi.  The WiFi is only for convenience, such as some browsing while waiting for 8 minute exposures to complete.

Dear Mark,

First of all, congratulations on your new mount ! 

I am not the biggest Windows expert, but as far as I know you can still keep the wifi functional while having the Ethernet cable plugged into your laptop. However, this isn’t the best choice especially if you need a specific device to be connected via Ethernet rather than wifi (to ensure flawless communication). But since APCC let you chose the connection method (on your case, TCP/LAN), you shouldn’t be bothered.

Let me ask a question : how do you operate (fixed like an observatory or mainly “nomad) ?

For instance, if you possess a good mobile network, you may also trigger a hotspot via your mobile (that’s what I would do if I am remote without wifi / internet).

I am sure you will get helpful tips by the community :)

Best,
Aygen

--

I use Ethernet cable connected from CP4 directly to my laptop and use WiFi to transfer captured raw images from laptop to desktop computer without issues.

It sounds like it's your laptop that is disabling WiFi, not CP4 causing it. I would look deeper into your laptop settings to keep WiFi enabled. Google for your exact brand and model laptop to search for keeping WiFi enabled while Ethernet is connected.

It's not Windows 10 issue because I also use Windows 10.

Peter

A few days ago, I received my AP1100, my 1st A-P product, to replace my ES/Losmandy G11 w/ PMC-8 as my main imaging mount.

I have had connection issues using USB, with 2 of 5 nights Windows not recognizing the AP1100.  The AP1100 was connecting through a StarTech powered 4 port USB3 hub, and the cable from the AP1100 is a new, Monoprice 3' USB2 cable.  Last night after the laptop/APCC not seeing the AP1100 USB, I connected the AP1100 using Wired Ethernet to my laptop (outside ~ 3ft from AP1100).  It connected fine and ran all night without a hitch, but when I plugged the Ethernet cable into my HP Z-Book (Windows10) laptop, the laptop turns off WiFi.  I would like to still have WiFi while I am outside with my mount.

I expect the issue is a Windows 10 issue.  Does anyone know what I need to do to have WiFi connected while the AP1100 is connected to the laptop with Ethernet cable?

Thanks!

--

I may be wrong but I believe you should be using single star instead of multi star when running GA. GA automatically disables guide output so no need to set MinMo to 20.0.

Peter

Hi Ray,

I got it from PrimaLuceLab in Italy - so it shouldn't be a Swiss version of Windows if I am not wrong.

Regards,
Aygen

Aygen

Thanks! The computer is running a long-term service version of Windows 10 Enterprise, originally introduced about three years ago. I have not tested with any version of Windows 10 Enterprise, but I will see if I can get a hold of that exact version via my visual studio subscription.

BTW, is this a Swiss version of Windows?

-Ray

Thanks for the instructions since I am not a WINDOW guy :).

Aygen,

Can you tell me the exact version of Windows that is running on the computer?

You can find out by clicking the Windows start button and entering "winver" without the quotes and pressing the enter key. If that doesn't work, you can open a command prompt window and type "winver". Either post a screenshot, or provide all of the version details in the window that opens.

-Ray

Hey Ray,

There is absolutely no reason to be sorry, on the contrary, you've been very supportive and helpful from day 1. 

Also, being able to access again Voyager with the "." doesn't mean that my issue is solved :) (but it should be, I will anyway update the thread).

Warm regards from Switzerland.
Aygen

Aygen,

That's great news that you are running again! I'm sorry if I misled you regarding the Windows Regional Settings. Although you can make changes to the numeric formats there, it requires changing multiple settings. Tom is correct that the best and easiest way is to change the country/region.

Best regards,

-Ray