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Re: Generation 3 wired hand controller / wireless HC
Sold out of the wireless HC's ... have a few Gen3 wired hand controllers left... if you want/need a spare now is the time! Contact me direct?
rxdesign at ssvecnet dot com?
Gary Myers
StellarCAT
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Re: ServoCAT will continue this year
Greetings,
Is there a posted procedure?for installing the NEW Driver?
Clear Skies, Bill L.
Here is the link to George¡¯s new Servocat driver:
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?
George Helios has built a new modern Servocat driver that works with all software I¡¯ve tried it with. It is great because it can work with or without ASCOM and can support multiple software applications communicating simultaneously with it (kind of like how ASCOM Device hub works). I think he has posted on this forum with his GitHub repository location. For the download.?
Mike
On May 6, 2023, at 12:15 PM, Filippo Scopelliti <filiscoop@...> wrote:
?
I have personally to say that this is a very great announcement. I just kindly ask you to think about a new driver in order to let the system of working with the other astronomy softwares. This way everything will become amazingly nice for all
the fut applications in astrophotography.?
Filippo
Il giorno 6 mag 2023, alle ore 17:57, Bill Conrad <wgconrad@...> ha scritto:
?
It is time to formally announce that the ServoCAT product will continue to be manufactured by BRC Astro, LLC.
This is Bill Conrad of BRC Astro, LLC. My wife Robin and I are currently re-modeling our 1,440-sf facility located in the Chiefland Astronomy Village (Chiefland, Florida) to support the ServoCAT production. Please be patient while we order hundreds of parts
required for us to begin. Some parts have up to a 16-week lead time. We hope to begin production of the Gen3 later this year.
Rest assured: Gary will be here supporting existing customers for the foreseeable future.
The website is being re-modeled and updated. The sales and support links will be functional upon completion of this effort and your patience is appreciated.
As an early adopter of the ServoCAT system, my Gen 1 has been operating flawlessly on my 25" Obsession for over 20 years. Now I will be upgrading to the latest features.
I encourage everyone to attend the Chiefland Astrofest Star Party at the Chiefland Astronomy Village Nov 11-17, 2023. Information is available at . If you can attend, please contact us for a mini tour of the ServoCAT facility just
down the street.
I want to thank Gary Myers for his 30+ years of excellent service to the astronomy community. With 2,300 ServoCAT systems delivered around the world, he has made a major contribution to the enjoyment of night skies. He has made the transition of the business
exceptionally smooth and comfortable. Robin and I wish him and his wife Jean a happy and well-deserved retirement.
Bill and Robin Conrad
bill@...
BRC Astro, LLC
5071 NW 52nd Court
Chiefland, FL 32626
Re: AN Reinitializing in Middle of Session
will do - going out direct?
Gary Myers
RXDesign
------ Original Message ------
Date 6/29/2023 9:54:29 AM
Subject Re: [ServoCAT] AN Reinitializing in Middle of Session
Hi Gary
Could you sent me too a list of things to check. I experience the same problem of loosing power when rotating the scope; I already suspected it to be an issue with the powered ground board. The scope is not often used and is many years old (Obsession Classic 18"; ordered July 2004 including the powered ground board option). For the time being I will install batteries in the AN but eventually I want to sell the scope (I am over 70 years old and have a bad back) and then this problem should have been solved.
Regards
John
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Re: AN Reinitializing in Middle of Session
Hi Gary
Could you sent me too a list of things to check. I experience the same problem of loosing power when rotating the scope; I already suspected it to be an issue with the powered ground board. The scope is not often used and is many years old (Obsession Classic 18"; ordered July 2004 including the powered ground board option). For the time being I will install batteries in the AN but eventually I want to sell the scope (I am over 70 years old and have a bad back) and then this problem should have been solved.
Regards
John
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Re: AN Reinitializing in Middle of Session
Al,? list of things to check being sent direct...?
Gary?
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I have 18 in obsession, with AN SC. The batteries went dead so replaced them as well as the coin (2020?} backup battery, now after alignment the telescope will only do go to¡¯s to the north eastern section of the sky? I can use the buttons on the wireless HC and get to the whole sky, but very labor intensive. Thinking the location and/or time is set up incorrectly? I have a suspicion it¡¯s the time? The telescope is in Arizona and I am in Michigan now, but have the Argo computer with me. Any ideas
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Re: AN Reinitializing in Middle of Session
Gary,
? I have the same issue with a 15" Classic. Power cuts off and on when rotating in AZ. Could you please send me a list of things to check?
Much appreciated,
Al
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Re: ServoCat radio control
I'm confused. Naturally one would not use the ServoCAT system within 100mm of a router - even a meter seems odd and out of place. So are you good - is everything ok??
Note the receiver side of the module isn't going to be the highest tech out there - it can be overloaded by the presence of a strong signal (the router is MUCH higher power with a higher gain antenna compared to the transmitter of the other module)... so even if the channels were clearly different, and I'm sure they are as the default channel is not on a standard wifi router frequency, it would stop functioning.?
Gary?
------ Original Message ------
Date 6/4/2023 11:49:38 PM
Subject Re: [ServoCAT] ServoCat radio control
Yes, I see the internal antenna on the Leto-M module. I have a not clear problem with the freezing of the radio channel, when all the buttons on the remote control stop working (But they work when the remote is close to the base (~100 mm).?Then after a while they start working(several meters). I determined that this is not a router. The battery is new.
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Re: ServoCat radio control
Yes, I see the internal antenna on the Leto-M module. I have a not clear problem with the freezing of the radio channel, when all the buttons on the remote control stop working (But they work when the remote is close to the base (~100 mm).?Then after a while they start working(several meters). I determined that this is not a router. The battery is new.
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Re: ServoCat radio control
Yes - but that is ONLY for the wireless system that doesn't have an external antenna on either the base or the hand held part. The antenna is internal. Also the channel chosen is not a standard wifi channel - it is far from it and I've not heard of anyone else having issues with routers.?
Gary?
------ Original Message ------
Date 6/1/2023 10:24:44 PM
Subject Re: [ServoCAT] ServoCat radio control
Do I understand correctly that since 2010 this is 2.4 GHz? I have problems with the radio remote control (or radio base). Perhaps this is a conflict with my router.
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Re: ServoCat radio control
Do I understand correctly that since 2010 this is 2.4 GHz? I have problems with the radio remote control (or radio base). Perhaps this is a conflict with my router.
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Re: ServoCat radio control
The first wireless, designed and introduced in 2003/4 for Generation 1 ServoCAT's (as well as Gen2) operated on 433Mhz. That system has not been available since the main ICs used, a parallel to serial encoder and serial to parallel decoder, were discontinued in 2008. The replacement systems were introduced in late 2009, a few units to finish off the last Gen2's and Gen3 introduction with the very first Obsession 22UC systems. Full production of Gen3 including the WL and WL AB system started the first of 2010.?
Gary Myers
StellarCAT
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Hi.
Tell the frequency range of the radio remote control for ServoCat? I'll clarify, this is the "old" remote control. This one was bought before the "new" 2.4 GHz compatible one was sold.
Thank
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Re: Generation 3 wired hand controller / wireless HC
reply direct only please.?
rxdesign at ssvecnet dot com
garymyers at power dot net
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Generation 3 wired hand controller / wireless HC
Gentleman,
I have a limited supply of these Generation 3 (front panel left side "PC USB" port) controllers:
A) wired hand controller? $199
B) Wireless AutoBASE hand controller $469
Both plus S&H. First come first serve.?
Gary Myers
StellarCAT
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Re: Gary: please advise¡Runnaway Alt. servo-motor
Hi Dave -? long time no hear. I hope you are doing well.? Ok - so indeed this is a ServoCAT issue and has nothing to do with the Argo Navis. It also has nothing to do with ALL connections with one exception - so DON'T go unplugging and re-plugging things in.... seems that is the goto scenario for most people. It can introduce other problems especially if it has not been used for a long time. One thing at a time.? So - the issue is the motor encoder feedback is not getting to the ServoCAT box. It is highly unlikely it's IN the ServoCAT, although possible but extremely unlikely. The issue is more than likely the cable itself. This is the smaller 'phone style' cable that goes from the - ALT motor back to the ServoCAT box. Unplug it at both ends - plug it back in - repeat this several times. The contacts are all gold plated and there are spring loaded contacts inside the jack so this action will help wipe away any possible corrosion that might be there. The fact that it worked at least at slower speeds suggests that it is an intermittency and thus a good sign as it's also not likely to be the actual encoder on the motor or the encoder connection board. Try this - see if it makes it better or solves it. Contact me directly if you continue to have issues.? [and just to repeat - it is ONLY the smaller encoder cable, it is not the larger CAT5 type cable which is the power - obviously that is working so don't mess with it] Gary Myers StellarCAT rxdesign@...?
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Gary: please advise¡Runnaway Alt. servo-motor
After many years of storage in a dry shed, I¡¯ve been trying to get my 15¡± Nightsky Dob fitted w/ ServoCat Jr. up and running again powered by a 9AH gel cell battery.? It was working fine the first couple years, and I brought both handpad and ServoCat box indoors, and stored them in a dry closet about 12 years ago.? PROBLEM today: When handpad set to jog it passes all the tests, moving correctly in AZ and Alt., however in slew mode the Alt motor just starts spinning in the correct direction, but won¡¯t stop till power connection is stopped. Most times 3button stop or unplugging handpad won¡¯t stop it running, so I must quickly loosen spring and disconnect power.?? I know communication between setting circles and Argo Navis is fine and I can correctly locate DSO¡¯s manually.? This is just a problem in the ServoCat box or handpad.? All my manuals and updates in Tools are dated 11/04/2003.? Should I attempt to reprogram the ServoCat box??? Any ideas on what would cause this problem?
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Re: ServoCAT will continue this year
this is the video that created my servocat wish list
dave
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Re: Instructions for re-installing ServoCAT altitude cable
I'm very sorry to hear of the death of his wife - and for that matter the issues.?
Unfortunately I can't control the installation - I ship the components and have specific installation instructions but its not unusual for some one to not read them or ignore them (and worse when its because "they know better").?
I've always been here - I'm sure he wrote initially, or at least hope he did - but if it continued to be an issue I would have wanted him to continue to report back until we completely resolved it. Now that stated the UC's ARE "compromise scopes" - Dave's description... and it was probably unknown to the vast majority of buyers and users that my mandate when designing a system for it was that it had to fit TWO "builds". Builds that were literally orthogonal to each other - one the normal one for use - the other where someone can pick up the VMB, rotate it 90 degrees and put it back down on the rocker, not interfering with anything that is already there (i.e. everything) AND it all had to fit in to a pelican travel case that was TIGHT to begin with. The solution I came up with works quite well - but it assumes things are installed and used correctly.?
Gary Myers
------ Original Message ------
Date 5/8/2023 3:03:46 PM
Subject Re: [ServoCAT] Instructions for re-installing ServoCAT altitude cable
Yeah, whatever's clever. If it works and it's fast, all is good.
You have probably read all about Jeff Gortatowski's loud and constant complaints on the Obsession Beach) for first light in LBV with me. The think was a nightmare regarding that cable. It turned out that the pulley was not properly aligned on its axis and therefore pulled to the side too much, making the cable jump right out of its track... but that did not fully resolve the issue. We had to put it back 3 or 4 times, using 3 people and brute force to lift, etc. He finally abandoned the drive so that he could at least push it around and do some observing! Anyhow, Jeff is not at all mechanical, and from then on he just bitched and moaned pretty much constantly. I told Dave Kriege that he should find a customer in the LA area who really understood the drive system and pay that guy to go and teach Jeff what he needed to know in order to successfully operate the thing, but that never happened.?He eventually sold it because he was so frustrated about not ever being able to solve the problem... and his wife just died from a heart attack 2 weeks ago...
At one point Jeff wanted to trade Debbie straight across for her 20" Classic, but that was a non-starter for us.
Regarding the "pin" thing, I cannot imagine how a tiny drilled hole in the Teflon would ever lead to a failure, the overall psi would be very low at any single point... but I thought it was a great idea...
Regarding a lunch date, this weekend, the 13th, is Mother's Day weekend and Deb's 2 sons are coming down from LA for the weekend, and the following Saturday, the 20th, is new-moon weekend and weather permitting we will be in LBV perhaps 2 or 3 nights, most likely Thursday, Friday, Saturday... but maybe the weather will not be agreeable or maybe we just do it on a following weekend... and we like the Hamburger Factory, too!
\Paul
------ Original Message ------
Date 5/8/2023 11:35:09 AM
Subject Re: [ServoCAT] Instructions for re-installing ServoCAT altitude cable
The method I came up with only requires a couple small 2X4 blocks and takes less than a minute or so to do. Just an FYI. Its a doc on the provided CD under "Other installations Instructions" ... I don't remember the title preciously but it talks about ALT cable for transportation.?
Gary Myers
StellarCAT
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Re: Instructions for re-installing ServoCAT altitude cable
Yeah, whatever's clever. If it works and it's fast, all is good.
You have probably read all about Jeff Gortatowski's loud and constant complaints on the Obsession Beach) for first light in LBV with me. The think was a nightmare regarding that cable. It turned out that the pulley was not properly aligned on its axis and therefore pulled to the side too much, making the cable jump right out of its track... but that did not fully resolve the issue. We had to put it back 3 or 4 times, using 3 people and brute force to lift, etc. He finally abandoned the drive so that he could at least push it around and do some observing! Anyhow, Jeff is not at all mechanical, and from then on he just bitched and moaned pretty much constantly. I told Dave Kriege that he should find a customer in the LA area who really understood the drive system and pay that guy to go and teach Jeff what he needed to know in order to successfully operate the thing, but that never happened.?He eventually sold it because he was so frustrated about not ever being able to solve the problem... and his wife just died from a heart attack 2 weeks ago...
At one point Jeff wanted to trade Debbie straight across for her 20" Classic, but that was a non-starter for us.
Regarding the "pin" thing, I cannot imagine how a tiny drilled hole in the Teflon would ever lead to a failure, the overall psi would be very low at any single point... but I thought it was a great idea...
Regarding a lunch date, this weekend, the 13th, is Mother's Day weekend and Deb's 2 sons are coming down from LA for the weekend, and the following Saturday, the 20th, is new-moon weekend and weather permitting we will be in LBV perhaps 2 or 3 nights, most likely Thursday, Friday, Saturday... but maybe the weather will not be agreeable or maybe we just do it on a following weekend... and we like the Hamburger Factory, too!
\Paul
------ Original Message ------
Date 5/8/2023 11:35:09 AM
Subject Re: [ServoCAT] Instructions for re-installing ServoCAT altitude cable
The method I came up with only requires a couple small 2X4 blocks and takes less than a minute or so to do. Just an FYI. Its a doc on the provided CD under "Other installations Instructions" ... I don't remember the title preciously but it talks about ALT cable for transportation.?
Gary Myers
StellarCAT
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Al Lamperti