Sounds like you really have it narrowed down to the CP4 firmware running in your controller. Work close with AP and I am confident they will get it resolved for you. Certain kinds of broadcast storms

My experience with TCP comes from 30 years of telecommunications and robotics engineering. My primary concerns are much more with Layer-1 of the OSI model (cables, connectors) and Layer-2 (Ethernet fr

If a person is going over 2m or so between the mount and the PC, I would avoid using the USB port on the CP4. -Christopher Erickson Observatory engineer Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com

If your PC doesn't have a native RS-232 serial port and you need to go 15' (or even 50') it would be much-better to combine a long serial cable with a short USB-to-Serial adapter at the PC. Serial can

TCP is more reliable than UDP if there are a bunch of lost packets on your network for some reason. Bad cable someplace, congestion, etc.In other words, TCP can hide a network problem that UDP does no

The G-11 isn't much lighter than the Mach1. And the Losmandy worm block + motor designs are better these days than days past, but still crap. The GM-8 combined with their Gemini-II isn't a bad solutio

I have been begging Roland for this for years. And I know for a fact that I have really annoyed him at times about it. LOL. My RST-135 plus CF tripod plus half-pier, counterweight, batts, hand control

I believe if you ask them, Linak will give you a list of their distributors. -Christopher Erickson Observatory engineer Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com

IIRC they sell through distributors. Contact them and ask. I have found the best deals on eBay. I set up an automated search and check out the new auctions as they are put up. -Christopher Erickson Ob

You are right! I misremembered the name. -Christopher Erickson Observatory engineer Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com

Lymax columns. A lot cheaper to buy Lymax off of Ebay or wherever and make your own telescoping pier. -Christopher Erickson Observatory engineer Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com

In my experience, certain hydrocarbon fumes (both pre and post combustion) will damage many plastics and rubbers, both natural and synthetic. The damaged hand controller cable is a hint. Fumes related

Balancing isn't that big of a deal. All it takes is a wooden pencil and a few pieces of blue painter's tape. On the floor, use the pencil to find the center of gravity for each OTA setup. Have your ca

The factory curve is a perfect fit when the mount comes from the factory. After a number of years, the gears will polish up a bit more and the curve should be re-done. -Christopher Erickson Observator

#APCC

At least Karen didn't ban me for my candidly-irreverent reply in the semi-recent "World's Greatest Secret" UFO conspiracy thread. I felt like I had really pegged the old Mirth-O-Meter with that one an

Maybe I should apply with AP to be an emergency-alternate backup tech support geek... ...if they would let me work from my astro-cave here in Hawaii. "My advice is always free and worth every penny!"

That was an attempted inoculation. LOL "My advice is always free and worth every penny!" -Christopher Erickson Observatory Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, Hawaii

At least nobody started talking about skin effect, nominal velocity of propagation, current NEC electrical code requirements, insulation dielectric characteristics, breakdown voltages, mutual inductan

Some of you people are REALLY over-thinking this... "My advice is always free and worth every penny!" -Christopher Erickson Observatory Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, Hawaii

I think that having a GPS hooked up to the scope PC and running for at least 20 minutes before using it to tune the PC internal clock will be critical for both satellite tracking as well as for occult