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Re: How to Raise AP1600 Height
I have seen a fair number of Linak re-sellers on eBay. On Sat, Mar 21, 2020, 2:52 PM Don Anderson via Groups.Io <jockey_ca=yahoo.ca@groups.io> wrote:
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Re: Official direct links to APCC v1.8.0.8/9 and AP V2 Driver 5.30.09
I spent hours trying to figure out why one of my PCs would not recognize that there was an APCC update.
After converting https to http these links worked for me. Thanks Ray. Jerry |
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Re: USNO A2.0 Catalog Source?
Wayne Hixson
Thanks!
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On Mar 21, 2020, at 3:53 PM, Greg Hartke <ghartke@...> wrote:
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Re: How to Raise AP1600 Height
Thank Jack
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I have been thinking about these as a pier option for a couple of years now. I know that they are sold by Pier-tech. I was thinking they would be cheaper direct from Linak. Will Linak sell direct? Don On Mar 21, 2020, at 7:11 AM, Jack Huerkamp <Mallincamusa@...> wrote:
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Re: USNO A2.0 Catalog Source?
Greg Hartke
Hey, guys,
FWIW, I had to reload guide star catalogs at the end of 2019 and I contacted Bob Denny directly. At that time, he sent me to the second link Wayne listed below, so I would say Bob’s recommendation on this is current. I could not get the anonymous ftp to work, so I wound up downloading UNSO A2.0 from http://usnoa2.dc3.com/. Painful, but it did work.
Regards,
Greg
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Worsel via Groups.Io
Wayne |
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Re: USNO A2.0 Catalog Source?
Wayne Hixson
I normally use GSC but read that ASNO A2.0 was better with smaller FoVs.
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On Mar 21, 2020, at 3:46 PM, Worsel via Groups.Io <bryancashion@...> wrote:
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Re: USNO A2.0 Catalog Source?
Worsel
Wayne
I believe that USNO A2.0 is not available https://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astrometry/information/catalog-info/catalog-information-center-1 Note tht Bob Denny's recommendation to use this catalog is several years old. http://forums.dc3.com/showthread.php?4694-Downloading-and-Using-PinPoint-Reference-Catalogs-(Updated-December-2013)&p=25419#post25419 Are you seeking a catalog for platesolving to position a mount or for something that is more precise, e.g.astrometry? Bryan |
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Re: Astro-Physics status during IL shut-down
Mikko Viljamaa
Be safe guys. We have an office in Beloit (which I still visit regularly) and I just heard that Rock county had their first case. I lived in Roscoe for two years in early 2000 before moving to Appleton and eventually to Atlanta so the area has a special importance for me.
- Mikko |
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Re: Mach1 Unable to Find Home Position Suddenly
Mikko Viljamaa
Thanks Dale. I don't own a hand controller, never saw the need for it. Every time I have checked the time it's the same in all computers. But to your point, I'm suspecting that the time is the possible contributor here as the Mount misses its park always about the same. So I don't know if something changes or if something gets updated at some point bur for sure as said, I have not had issues like this in the past two years.
- Mikko |
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USNO A2.0 Catalog Source?
Wayne Hixson
Trying to install the subject catalog for use with Pinpoint plate solving, but all the links I've tried seem to be broken. Does anyone have a current link for this catalog?
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Re: RAPAS App
I agree Robert, choosing the correct overlay on settings is critical. However, if you have the wrong one you will know immediately. The apps definitely remember the last position and take a few seconds before the dot moves to the new current position. The Android app linked from the AP RAPAS website is the best one I've been able to find. Thanks everyone for all the responses. Thanks, Charles Sent from mobile device. -------- Original message -------- From: Robert Berta <biker123@...> Date: 3/21/20 3:13 PM (GMT-06:00) To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] RAPAS App |
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Re: RAPAS App
Forgot to mention.....I use Polar Finder regular version by TechHead. For those of you that already use this....go to Play Store and it will tell you if you have the latest version in the text. March 4th of this year they improved the time it takes to get a GPS link. As I recall this version is free but they have a pro version which probably means you eliminate advertising. The version I use has been trouble free and has worked fine for about 3 years time I have had it. You will know when it corrects to GPS as it will than show your GPS position.
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Re: RAPAS App
These apps (I use the PC version as well as the Android version) have settings for different polar alignment scopes brands and models. I use both the RAPAS for my two AP mounts as well as an Ioptron Sky Guider Pro. It is very important that you use the correct setting on for your mount as some use a mirror in the image train that flips the image....and others are straight through. Also note that when you first launch these apps they will show Polaris position different than what it actually is since I believe it remembers the last time it was used. Once launched wait until it connects with the GPS signal for the correct location on Android devices. I don't have Apple so no sure how that works for them.
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Re: Official direct links to APCC v1.8.0.8/9 and AP V2 Driver 5.30.09
Leon Fasano
Ray, the AP website doesn’t show 1.8.0.9 yet, where can I download from?
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On Mar 20, 2020, at 11:03 PM, Ray Gralak <groups3@...> wrote: |
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Re: Mach1 Unable to Find Home Position Suddenly
Roland Christen
The LST / RA difference is off about 2 minutes, is this an issue? As soon as you initialize, the RA axis will begin tracking and the LST/RA difference will increase 15 arc sec per second (when the mount is in Sidereal tracking mode). If you put the mount in STOP mode, the LST/RA will remain constant.
Roland
-----Original Message-----
From: Mikko Viljamaa <mikko.viljamaa@...> To: main <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Sat, Mar 21, 2020 9:56 am Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach1 Unable to Find Home Position Suddenly Thanks Ray & Rolando,
So as long as I have had the Mount, about two years now I have never used park from the last position - this without any issue. I did go out and tried both; unpark from 3 and park back to 3 results the Dec axes to miss its mark about an inch. I then manually swung the Dec to match the mark and chose to unpark from the last position. Did a slew and sure thing, the mount returned to park 3 nicely. I then did the same exercise a dozen times and the worst Dec miss was maybe a quarter of an inch - which I have seen before and I'm not worried about. I might have a narrow window tonight to see how things go in real life and if the mount points where expected and Platesolve finds the target immediately, The LST / RA difference is off about 2 minutes, is this an issue? - Mikko |
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Re: Mach1 Unable to Find Home Position Suddenly
Dale Ghent
The accuracy of your PC clock and, by extension, the clock in the mount control box, is crucial regardless of the situation.
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I presume you are initializing the mount using the A-P ASCOM driver from your PC (that means if your hand controller is connected to the mount, it is in EXT mode and you do no select the location info to initialize with from it.) First, ensure that your ASCOM driver has the "sync PC time to mount" option set. Second, ensure that your PC's clock is accurate. I know it's common to have observatory computers cut off from the network, which means that they cannot avail themselves to the services of NTP servers that any modern OS will automatically try to connect to. If you choose to have your PC cut off in such a way, you will need to sync it from an external source such as a GPS or keep adjusting the time by hand. if your PC is connected to the internet, ensure that Windows is syncing to NTP servers. On Windows 10, that would mean going to Date & Time settings and ensuring that "Set time automatically" is set to On. If you don't have an accurate time app on your mobile phone, you can quickly call the US Naval Observatory master clock at +1 202-762-1069 for an automated readout and prompting of the current time down to the second. There is a service for Mountain time at +1 719-567-6742. /dale On Mar 21, 2020, at 10:56 AM, Mikko Viljamaa <mikko.viljamaa@...> wrote: |
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Re: RAPAS App
Bill Long
I did not see that setting prior. Much better. Thanks!
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Christopher Go <chris@...>
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2020 11:23 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] RAPAS App The one I use is an android version. Please go to settings and change the reticle to Astrophysics.
Regards, Chris At 01:20 AM 3/21/2020 -0500, you wrote: That one looks nice but only for the Apple store. I don't see an Android version. |
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Re: Mach1 Unable to Find Home Position Suddenly
Mikko Viljamaa
Thanks Ray & Rolando,
So as long as I have had the Mount, about two years now I have never used park from the last position - this without any issue. I did go out and tried both; unpark from 3 and park back to 3 results the Dec axes to miss its mark about an inch. I then manually swung the Dec to match the mark and chose to unpark from the last position. Did a slew and sure thing, the mount returned to park 3 nicely. I then did the same exercise a dozen times and the worst Dec miss was maybe a quarter of an inch - which I have seen before and I'm not worried about. I might have a narrow window tonight to see how things go in real life and if the mount points where expected and Platesolve finds the target immediately, The LST / RA difference is off about 2 minutes, is this an issue? - Mikko |
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Re: Astro-Physics status during IL shut-down
Thank you, Steven. The stay safe and healthy.
Clear Skies,
Marj Christen Astro-Physics, Inc 11250 Forest Hills Rd Machesney Park, IL 61115 Phone: 815-282-1513 Fax: 815-282-9847 www.astro-physics.com
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io]
On Behalf Of steven ho
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2020 8:33 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Astro-Physics status during IL shut-down
Stay safe A-P family.
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Marj Christen <marj@...>
Hello astro-nuts,
The governor of IL just announced a “stay at home” order policy for non-essential businesses from Saturday, March 21st at 5pm through April 7. We anticipated this possibility and developed a plan to continue as normally as possible to support our customers and ship products.
Roland, Karen and I will be working at AP. Roland will continue to complete the final assembly and testing of Mach2GTOs and 92mm Stowaways. Karen and I will pack, as needed, and whatever else we need to do.
Office and technical staff will be working remotely from home to answer your questions or take your orders. Although someone will be answering the phone, we ask that you communicate primarily via email if you can.
Our machining and finishing processes will be impacted as well as local subcontractors who anodize and engrave for us. We look forward to having them back at work as soon as possible.
Please be patient with us through this time. We are all in uncharted territory and adapting to changing circumstances on a daily basis.
All of us at AP extend our best wishes for your health and safety. As a wise person told me recently, treat everyone with kindness and compassion, keep your spirits up as we will get through this together…and wash your hands.
Clear Skies,
Marj Christen Astro-Physics, Inc 11250 Forest Hills Rd Machesney Park, IL 61115 Phone: 815-282-1513 Fax: 815-282-9847 www.astro-physics.com
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Re: Astro-Physics status during IL shut-down
We must be sure to thank all who are still working in essential services.
Clear Skies,
Marj Christen Astro-Physics, Inc 11250 Forest Hills Rd Machesney Park, IL 61115 Phone: 815-282-1513 Fax: 815-282-9847 www.astro-physics.com
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io]
On Behalf Of Worsel via Groups.Io
Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2020 8:00 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Astro-Physics status during IL shut-down
I received a notice from UPS. The following is extracted from the notice. Something similar from FEDEX. |
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