Remote use of Meridian delay feature
c34s43 <c34s43@...>
I read the manual is available a way to situate the telescope in
the "wrong" side of the 1200GTO using the Meridian Delay feature. But I don't used yet. I want know if is possible use these feature from The Sky 6 and if it can be used remotely witout problems. Please coment anyone use it remotely and include the experiencies and problems like cable dragging you found. I am interested to it when imanging a object near meridiane don't need to revert the tube. Thank you, Carlos
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Re: Desperately trying (this is the correct one) ... (Happy) end...
S HEGGIE <stuart.j.heggie@...>
Joe, I forgot you were in Toronto (my home town!). Yes, all good points. My laptop is running off 120v AC so I don't think my HD spins down. At those temps my battery would last about 2 minutes.
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Stuart
From: "Joseph Zeglinski" <J.Zeglinski@...>
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Re: New file uploaded to ap-gto
Bob Olson <r.olson@...>
Hi Roland,
I am heading to Kauai in mid-January. Thanks for the description as this is my first trip and I had no idea what to expect. Bob
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Re: Desperately trying (this is the correct one) ... (Happy) end...
Joe Zeglinski
Hi Stuart,
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Thought about that too, in my own winter conditions., in Toronto. My plan is to tape a red filter sheet inside a large Zip-Lok bag, maybe a large "turkey roasting" type from the grocery, and slip it (like a pillow case) over the raised LCD screen. The bag will retain, the heat emitted from the (really warm) fluorescent back light tubes and power supply/inverter LCD electronics in the lid. This will keep the LCD crystalline switching material from slowing down, possibly expanding and cracking the screen, or just turning from pink (although that colour would be useful here). If that works well enough, I considered using a second back slipped over the base, allowing the keyboard to still be used through the bag, while it's heat is similarly retained on really frigid nights. I had originally planned on constantly raising and lowering the LCD screen, so that it's heat would keep the dew (frost crystals) off the keyboard, and to sandwich the base unit's heat inside, from escaping. Then I snapped the hinges in the cold - where I learned that repeatedly flexing them was a bad idea. Best also to keep the hard drive spinning, rather than allowing energy saving spin down, since my extensive battery measurements had found that the hard drive on my Compaq Armada 7800 drains minimal power, while it's heat would keep the insides from drowning in dew. (The bags could be left on as the laptop acclimates again, back in the house, keeping the dew off there as well.) Joe
----- Original Message -----
From: "S HEGGIE" <stuart.j.heggie@...> To: <ap-gto@...> Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2007 1:44 PM Subject: RE: [ap-gto] Re: Desperately trying (this is the correct one) ... (Happy) end...
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Re: New file uploaded to ap-gto
Gregory Nottingham <gnpnotti@...>
Rolando,
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Of course my wishes went to Marj too. That's great that you've been there so many times. We went to Oahu and the Big Island after Desert Storm and I stopped over a couple of days in 1998 in Pearl Harbor. I've been on the East Coast since. Have fun. Greg
On Dec 13, 2007, at 13:58, chris1011@... wrote:
In a message dated 12/13/2007 12:16:51 PM Central Standard Time,
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Re: low cost way to use a solid state disk in your laptop
S HEGGIE <stuart.j.heggie@...>
Richard, this is interesting. Thanks for the info. I have been pretty lucky with the laptop in the cold and only had trouble booting up twice due to cold. A quick trip inside did the trick both times. If I switch to a desktop I'll probably use a CRT as you indicated. Luckily I have room for it.
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Stuart
From: Richard Crisp <rdcrisp@...>
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Re: Desperately trying (this is the correct one) ... (Happy) end...
S HEGGIE <stuart.j.heggie@...>
Joe, these are good points. I did investigate the tolerance of the LCD screen to cold and was advised that the HP machine I had was probably safe to -20C and probably -25C (about as cold as it ever gets here). Like you, I leave the lid open, cover the screen with a dark red film and then, when heading back to the house, cover the whole affair with a t-shirt to further block the light and to protect the rig from frost/dew. Seems to work since I have had it there for two years without a problem (knock on wood!).
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I've been considering replacing it with an older XP desktop (my son's - he's due for an upgrade he says!). I'd have to add a wireless capability to that desktop but that isn't too much money. Stuart
From: "Joseph Zeglinski" <J.Zeglinski@...>
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Re: New file uploaded to ap-gto
ayiomamitis
--- In ap-gto@..., chris1011@... wrote:
Big One. Hhmmmmm .... But first I am heading off to Hawaii this weekend for the holidaysfor some R&R (Marj too).Enjoy! When I get back there will be more 140 shipping, plus I amnot figured). Santa will be busy this month and many folks happy for being good the past year. Anthony. Rolando
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Re: New file uploaded to ap-gto
ayiomamitis
--- In ap-gto@..., chris1011@... wrote:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto/files/3600%20El%20Capitan/showroom112907-1.jpg of ourI just posted this picture of our showroom which now has one of each mounts. Compare the large one with the rest of our lineup.I can't believe how "small" the AP1200GTO looks compared to the "other" one! LOL. Also, interesting to see all of the spare OTA's just lying around on the ground. Need help in finding them a new home? I can make a really good recommendation. :-) Anthony.
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Re: low cost way to use a solid state disk in your laptop
Richard Crisp
here's the product for the notebook (and is bootable)
http://www.addonics.com/products/flash_memory_reader/ad44midecf.asp for a desktop you can this: http://www.addonics.com/products/flash_memory_reader/adeb44idecf.asp finally if you use a desktop, then why not use a conventional CRT if the LCD causes you grief in the cold? For that matter most laptops can be used with an external monitor such as a crt or plasma or LCD panel. Richard Crisp <rdcrisp@...> wrote: I haven't tried this.... I was confused earlier: I thought the adaptor took USB thumb drives, but alas they use Compact Flash. Either way they are plentiful and cheap. If you run tight on space, then only put the executables and OS on the Flash Drive and download the data wirelessely to a "warm computer". this may give you an increase in disk drive reliability when operating in the bitter cold. http://www.theinquirer.org/default.aspx?article=38744 Flashy alternative to hard drives emerges Neat idea of the day By Andrew Thomas: Thursday 05 April 2007, 13:09 A LOW COST ADAPTOR allows 2.5-inch hard drives to be swapped for Compact Flash cards. California-based Addonics has produced a range of adaptors allowing CF cards or Microdrives to be used as a direct replacement for IDE and SATA hard drives. Primarily aimed at notebooks, Addonics also has an embedded version for processor boards in industrial PCs. No special device drivers are required, says the company, making the adapters compatible with most operating systems. The range includes versions for IDE and SATA drives, the IDE variant having the option of one or two CF slots at $24.99 and $29.99 respectively. The SATA adaptor comes with a single slot at $35.99. µ L'INQ More here http://www.addonics.com/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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low cost way to use a solid state disk in your laptop
Richard Crisp
I haven't tried this....
I was confused earlier: I thought the adaptor took USB thumb drives, but alas they use Compact Flash. Either way they are plentiful and cheap. If you run tight on space, then only put the executables and OS on the Flash Drive and download the data wirelessely to a "warm computer". this may give you an increase in disk drive reliability when operating in the bitter cold. http://www.theinquirer.org/default.aspx?article=38744 Flashy alternative to hard drives emerges Neat idea of the day By Andrew Thomas: Thursday 05 April 2007, 13:09 A LOW COST ADAPTOR allows 2.5-inch hard drives to be swapped for Compact Flash cards. California-based Addonics has produced a range of adaptors allowing CF cards or Microdrives to be used as a direct replacement for IDE and SATA hard drives. Primarily aimed at notebooks, Addonics also has an embedded version for processor boards in industrial PCs. No special device drivers are required, says the company, making the adapters compatible with most operating systems. The range includes versions for IDE and SATA drives, the IDE variant having the option of one or two CF slots at $24.99 and $29.99 respectively. The SATA adaptor comes with a single slot at $35.99. µ L'INQ More here http://www.addonics.com/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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Newbie at autoguiding, what's happening?
Ben Ritchie <count.zero@...>
Hi folks. I'm using an AP1200GTO, AP130EDT and SBIG ST4000XCM, and i'm
having my first go at getting autoguiding. I have the CCD aligned so that the star correctly moves left/right and up/down when I use the hand controller (i.e. the CCD is aligned with the axes of the mount), and it's connected to the mount's autoguider port with the SBIG-supplied cable. When I click 'calibrate' in CCDSoft, the star moves to the right as expected when the software does the "X+" movement. However, when it issues "X-" the star moves downwards - so "X-" is at 90 degrees to "X+", not 180. When "Y+" is issued the star moves up the screen, and "Y-" moves the star to the left. So it's as if "X-" and "Y-" are swapped round. The star returns right back to its start point, so it's not that commands aren't being received, backlash, etc. I'm doing 15s per movement, but I get exactly the same effect with 5s or 25s. I've tried with a spare SBIG relay cable, but that gives the same result. I suspect it's a newbie error somewhere, but I can't find any sign of a relevant option. I don't even know if i'm missing a mount option or CCD/software one. Any suggestions appreciated! Ben.
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Re: New file uploaded to ap-gto
Gregory Nottingham <gnpnotti@...>
Rolando,
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Now I am intrigued! Maybe I'll have to go with the French tipper (at least I think he was French) on the new scope speculation, something about hyper..... Maybe I ought to scour the Antarctic observatory photos for ideas. I am on every list, so hopefully notification and finances will intercept. Enjoy the holidays and I hope you get to see all of the Hawaiian islands, not just Oahu! Sincerely, Greg
On Dec 13, 2007, at 13:00, chris1011@... wrote:
In a message dated 12/13/2007 11:45:45 AM Central Standard Time,
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Re: Desperately trying (this is the correct one) ... (Happy) end...
Joe Zeglinski
Hi Stuart,
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Straying a bit OT, I just wanted to comment about using an old "portable" laptop in the cold. Last year I decided to run a series of cold soak test of an old IBM laptop in my garage, at about the freezing mark. I eventually destroyed the laptop because the LCD screen hinges broke away from the body. Laptop plastic is really meant for benign California weather conditions, and is not made of tough thermo plastic. The springs that hold the screen raised up, are VERY strong (I had them apart, eventually), and they are typically held to the body by two tiny screws into a press fitted brass screw socket. There is also an intentional TENSION or friction brake system to prevent the LCD from slamming shut, and also to let you adjust the screen tilt angle - more work for the hinges against that brake pressure. As you open or close the LCD, the springs really stress these screw connections, on the two barrel tortion springs. If the case doesn't crack, the brass sockets will break away and rip free of the plastic base, as in my case. If you have an expensive "ruggedized" laptop, with a case made of magnesium, then "maybe" those hinges would be screwed into the metal frame, allowing it to be used "normally" in arctic conditions in military or industrial applications. Consumer laptops are not really meant for operation in outdoor winter conditions, without extra care. My plan for laptop use is to leave the lid always open, and only to close the laptop LCD screen after it has been warmed up for about 10 minutes in a heated car, or in the house. It makes it clumsy to carry, screen raised, but much better than wrecking an expensive laptop in the freezing cold. Then again, it will likely get soaking wet inside, as it warms up while it is open - perhaps having it running as it warms up externally, might keep the dew inside at bay. Remember, the spec on laptops is for use "above freezing" - perhaps because of this "case fragility"reason. Joe
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Carrico" <tom@...> To: <ap-gto@...> Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2007 12:34 PM Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Desperately trying (this is the correct one) ... (Happy) end... Hi Stuart,
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Re: New file uploaded to ap-gto
Gregory Nottingham <gnpnotti@...>
Rolando,
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Thanks. I guess I date myself as to when I became AP-aware. Sincerely, Greg
On Dec 13, 2007, at 12:55, chris1011@... wrote:
In a message dated 12/13/2007 11:48:19 AM Central Standard Time,
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Re: Desperately trying (this is the correct one) ... (Happy) end...
Richard Crisp
has anyone considered using either a diskless node or using a solid state drive for the "cold" computer? the solid state drives are really coming down in price and I did see an adaptor offered some time back that will convert a USB FLASH thumb drive to a bootable ATA drive from the perspective of the computer.
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it may be a way to avoid the problems that extreme cold can cause when it comes to rotating media. S HEGGIE <stuart.j.heggie@...> wrote: Tom, I agree that the laptop strains sometimes in the cold. Up here, 100 miles north of Toronto, I have had to bring the laptop into the house to boot it up (on really cold days) and then return it to the observatory. I don't like subjecting it to those rapid temp changes you can be sure. Since I have a manually rolled off roof, I need to go out there anyway to start a session so it gives me the flexibility to start things off as if I'm staying out and when it is all up and running I return to the house and operate it from there. Stuart
From: Tom Carrico <tom@...>
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Re: New file uploaded to ap-gto
uthin8er <lleege@...>
Oh. man! Put me on another list! Mak-Cas?
I plan to do that soon - gotta finish the appropriate scope for ElBig One.
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Re: New file uploaded to ap-gto
Gregory Nottingham <gnpnotti@...>
I meant to ask, what is the small mount all the way in the back with
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the small scope? I assume the one next to the AP 900 and AP 1200 is the Mach 1. Sincerely, Greg
On Dec 13, 2007, at 12:32, chris1011@... wrote:
In a message dated 12/13/2007 11:31:28 AM Central Standard Time,
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Re: New file uploaded to ap-gto
Gregory Nottingham <gnpnotti@...>
Rolando,
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Awesome!!! Put a telescope on each of the mounts and I'll make it my wallpaper. Greg
On Dec 13, 2007, at 12:32, chris1011@... wrote:
In a message dated 12/13/2007 11:31:28 AM Central Standard Time,
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Re: Desperately trying (this is the correct one) ... (Happy) end...
S HEGGIE <stuart.j.heggie@...>
Tom, I agree that the laptop strains sometimes in the cold. Up here, 100 miles north of Toronto, I have had to bring the laptop into the house to boot it up (on really cold days) and then return it to the observatory. I don't like subjecting it to those rapid temp changes you can be sure. Since I have a manually rolled off roof, I need to go out there anyway to start a session so it gives me the flexibility to start things off as if I'm staying out and when it is all up and running I return to the house and operate it from there.
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Stuart
From: Tom Carrico <tom@...>
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