Re: Has Anyone Successfully Connected to/Used a ServoCAT ASCOM Driver?
George,
Please summarize the features of your new ascom driver.
I currently use the old driver and enjoy remote observing with Stellarium and my dob and ServoCAT—after I do the two star alignment on Argo Navis.
I built a stepper motorized filter slide changer and VB.NET program to remotely change filters. ?Planning to write an ASCOM driver in VB.NET.
Richard Miller
|
Re: Has Anyone Successfully Connected to/Used a ServoCAT ASCOM Driver?
Unfortunately, I have yet to try the new Ascom driver with my 20" and Gen2 Servocat, but I hope to over the next few months, which I know doesn't help you now. With that said have you tried the Ascom Poth Hub rather than the Device Hub? The Poth hub is older,
but contains more configuration options generally. I find it works better with some of my equipment. At least it is something to try.
Alex Z.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I can really use help from fellow members of this forum to hopefully solve a vexing problem I have been having trying to connect my Gen 3 SC with Peter’s original ASCOM driver and George’s new beta ASCOM driver.?
I have flashed (several times) my SC with the version 7.0C firmware obtained from Gary.?
The “V” command in Peter’s SCU utility returns 7.0C.?
I use a Nexus DSC (the original, not the Pro, version).? The serial port on the Nexus is connected to the DSC port on the SC.?
A USB cord directly connects the USB/PC port on the SC to a USB port on my computer (and over the many tests I have run, I have used different USB ports and different PCs).?
Before attempting to connect to an ASCOM driver, I align the SC/DSC and the red DSC LED on the SC goes from blinking to solid on.?
(In addition, gotos initiated from the Nexus place the object in my eyepiece.)?
I set the “Find” parameter on the DSC to “From Planetarium.”
I can connect my scope to Peter’s ASCOM driver (through the ASCOM Device Hub) but with only limited functionality.?
Peter and I have looked at the Capabilities tab in the ASCOM Device Hub and Peter tells me that my capabilities report is the one he would expect if his driver was connected to an SC with
pre-7.0 (legacy) firmware.? In particular, “Can Move Primary Axis” and “Can Move Secondary Axis” both report “False,” when they should both report “True” if connected to an SC with 7.0 firmware.
When I connect my scope to Peter’s SCU utility, I get the initial “status” report that Peter describes in his readme file.?
While this report indicates that the firmware version is 7.0C, it incorrectly reports that the scope is NOT aligned and NOT tracking when I believe both are true.?
Also, S (status) commands receive a “status update is not available” response.
I cannot connect to George’s ASCOM driver at all. I get an “operation timed out” error message.?
After reviewing the logs of my attempts, George has informed me that his driver is sending my scope commands to obtain certain data from the scope but only gets back some of the data requested (the firmware version) and thus can’t proceed.
I have been working with Gary, Peter and George on this problem over the last few weeks with no solution.?
We have not yet determined where the problem is originating – my particular SC, the coding for the drivers/SCU utility or something else entirely.
So, I am reaching out to forum members who have already tried to control their SC through ASCOM to ask for your experiences in connecting with either or both of the ASCOM drivers.?
Additionally, if you have not yet tried to use an ASCOM driver but have an SC with the latest firmware and are willing to try in order to help out, I would be very grateful.?
In particular, we would be interested in the answers to the following questions.
1.? Have any of you experienced the same issues as described above and were you able to resolve them?
2.? Have you successfully connected with/utilized George’s driver??
[I used version 0.6.0.0 of George’s driver in all my tests.?
I know that George is working on a new version, which will close some open ASCOM conformance issues, but due to my personal time constraints I needed to post this message now.?
I don’t think the expected new version will have any impact on my issues.]
?
3.? Can you connect to Peter’s driver through the ASCOM Device Hub??
If so, what are the values of “Can Move Primary Axis” and “Can Move Secondary Axis” on the Capabilities tab?
4.? Does the initial “status” report when you connect to Peter’s SCU utility correctly report the current state of your scope (e.g., alignment and tracking)??
Do you get subsequent status reports when you issue “S” commands?
I am going bald with all of the hair I am pulling out over this problem.?
Any help anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated!!!
Paul
|
Re: Has Anyone Successfully Connected to/Used a ServoCAT ASCOM Driver?
I just released v0.7.0.0 which addresses the remaining ASCOM Conformance issues. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you run into issues.
|
Has Anyone Successfully Connected to/Used a ServoCAT ASCOM Driver?
I can really use help from fellow members of this forum to hopefully solve a vexing problem I have been having trying to connect my Gen 3 SC with Peter’s original ASCOM driver and George’s new beta ASCOM driver.?
I have flashed (several times) my SC with the version 7.0C firmware obtained from Gary.? The “V” command in Peter’s SCU utility returns 7.0C.? I use a Nexus DSC (the original, not the Pro, version).? The serial port on the Nexus is connected to the DSC port on the SC.? A USB cord directly connects the USB/PC port on the SC to a USB port on my computer (and over the many tests I have run, I have used different USB ports and different PCs).? Before attempting to connect to an ASCOM driver, I align the SC/DSC and the red DSC LED on the SC goes from blinking to solid on.? (In addition, gotos initiated from the Nexus place the object in my eyepiece.)? I set the “Find” parameter on the DSC to “From Planetarium.”
I can connect my scope to Peter’s ASCOM driver (through the ASCOM Device Hub) but with only limited functionality.? Peter and I have looked at the Capabilities tab in the ASCOM Device Hub and Peter tells me that my capabilities report is the one he would expect if his driver was connected to an SC with pre-7.0 (legacy) firmware.? In particular, “Can Move Primary Axis” and “Can Move Secondary Axis” both report “False,” when they should both report “True” if connected to an SC with 7.0 firmware.
When I connect my scope to Peter’s SCU utility, I get the initial “status” report that Peter describes in his readme file.? While this report indicates that the firmware version is 7.0C, it incorrectly reports that the scope is NOT aligned and NOT tracking when I believe both are true.? Also, S (status) commands receive a “status update is not available” response.
I cannot connect to George’s ASCOM driver at all. I get an “operation timed out” error message.? After reviewing the logs of my attempts, George has informed me that his driver is sending my scope commands to obtain certain data from the scope but only gets back some of the data requested (the firmware version) and thus can’t proceed.
I have been working with Gary, Peter and George on this problem over the last few weeks with no solution.? We have not yet determined where the problem is originating – my particular SC, the coding for the drivers/SCU utility or something else entirely.
So, I am reaching out to forum members who have already tried to control their SC through ASCOM to ask for your experiences in connecting with either or both of the ASCOM drivers.? Additionally, if you have not yet tried to use an ASCOM driver but have an SC with the latest firmware and are willing to try in order to help out, I would be very grateful.? In particular, we would be interested in the answers to the following questions.
1.? Have any of you experienced the same issues as described above and were you able to resolve them?
2.? Have you successfully connected with/utilized George’s driver??
[I used version 0.6.0.0 of George’s driver in all my tests.? I know that George is working on a new version, which will close some open ASCOM conformance issues, but due to my personal time constraints I needed to post this message now.? I don’t think the expected new version will have any impact on my issues.]
?
3.? Can you connect to Peter’s driver through the ASCOM Device Hub?? If so, what are the values of “Can Move Primary Axis” and “Can Move Secondary Axis” on the Capabilities tab?
4.? Does the initial “status” report when you connect to Peter’s SCU utility correctly report the current state of your scope (e.g., alignment and tracking)?? Do you get subsequent status reports when you issue “S” commands?
I am going bald with all of the hair I am pulling out over this problem.? Any help anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated!!!
Paul
|
Re: Wireless Handpad doesn’t work
Thank you John!!! That was exactly what happened! Never happened in several years. Now it works again!
Thank you!
Filippo
?
?
?
?
Open the unit and see if the transmitter component has separated from the mother board. Happened to me. The fix was to just put in a piece of foam to keep it on the board.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Sun, Mar 6, 2022 at 8:02 PM Filippo Scopelliti < filiscoop@...> wrote:
Hi Gery,
Hi everybody,
I kindly ask assistance regarding my wireless handpad that doesn’t work. The lights seem ok, battery should be ok and the wired handpad connected to the wireless unit works regularly. Is there anything I can do or check?
Thank you.?
Filippo
|
Re: Wireless Handpad doesn’t work
Open the unit and see if the transmitter component has separated from the mother board. Happened to me. The fix was to just put in a piece of foam to keep it on the board.
On Sun, Mar 6, 2022 at 8:02 PM Filippo Scopelliti < filiscoop@...> wrote: Hi Gery,
Hi everybody,
I kindly ask assistance regarding my wireless handpad that doesn’t work. The lights seem ok, battery should be ok and the wired handpad connected to the wireless unit works regularly. Is there anything I can do or check?
Thank you.?
Filippo
|
Wireless Handpad doesn’t work
Hi Gery,
Hi everybody,
I kindly ask assistance regarding my wireless handpad that doesn’t work. The lights seem ok, battery should be ok and the wired handpad connected to the wireless unit works regularly. Is there anything I can do or check?
Thank you.?
Filippo
|
Re: Getting better with my DS287C
Richard, ? You never cease to amaze me as to what you are able to accomplish with the small sensor in the DS287c by capturing and making mosaics of the images.? Well done. ? Yours truly, ? Jack ? Jack Huerkamp Jack's Astro Accessories, LLC 38388 Pine Street Pearl River, LA 70452-5192 985-445-5063 mallincamusa@...
30.37N? 89.76W ? All of us get lost in the darkness.
Dreamers learn to steer by the stars. ………………………………….Neil Peart ? ? ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
|
Getting better with my DS287C
|
Re: Its been great guys .... but all good things eventually come to an end...
OT revisit would be fun - looking forward to it!?
Gary?
------ Original Message ------
Sent: 2/4/2022 4:51:54 PM
Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] Its been great guys .... but all good things eventually come to an end...
Gary congrats on your retirement- hopefully will see you one day at the Texas Star Party or maybe Okie-Tex !!!
Fernando
|
Re: Its been great guys .... but all good things eventually come to an end...
Gary congrats on your retirement- hopefully will see you one day at the Texas Star Party or maybe Okie-Tex !!! Fernando
|
Re: Its been great guys .... but all good things eventually come to an end...
Congrats on your retirement Gary!? And thanks for all your help online.? You always clearly explained everything in great detail.? My 24" dob is working fine now.? Long distance instruction and advise is usually difficult, but not in my dealings with you.? I retired a year ago and it's been great.? You've earned it!? Maybe see you under the stars soon.
Jose
|
Re: Its been great guys .... but all good things eventually come to an end...
Thank you Gary.? We will miss you. I retired 5 years ago and love it.? ?Every day is a Saturday.
|
Re: Its been great guys .... but all good things eventually come to an end...
Gary and Jean, Congratulation on reaching retirement!? ? Thanks for all the help with phone call support for my servocat modification to my 20" starsplitter dob years ago. And all the support since!? ?Enjoy Retirement! David Pearson
On Wednesday, January 26, 2022, 09:29:52 AM PST, leroy <lmarion@...> wrote:
Bravo, welcome to the happy retired ugly mugs
?
leroy?? AB7CE? Montana
From: K9RX
- Gary
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2022 9:26 AM
Subject: [ServoCAT] Its been great guys .... but all good things
eventually come to an end...
?
Hello
all ... so I had a 30" StarSplitter acquired just 4 years after I got into
astronomy, acquired in 1994. Nightmare optics story but not here, now. So I
decided I wanted to motorize it - and started with the Bartels stepper
controller. Unfortunately, there were hardware design limitations - so I
redesigned it to get better performance out of the stepper driver ... but it was
too anemic for a 500# beast of a scope and it was too cumbersome. So I designed
my own system - this was in November of 2001. I had 85% of the ServoCAT written
in one weekend ... and was pleased with how it worked out. I then thought:
'maybe others might want something like this'. So I offered it up ... and sold
the first ones in early 2002 - one of the very first customers was Frederic Gia
of France - he is still with me today now making/selling his own custom
scopes... I was, at the time, the R&D Manager for a large electronics
company. A bit later I made the decision to go full time with the ServoCAT after
Obsession came on board. The rest is a (tiny) bit of history.
So now
with over 2200 systems worldwide and counting, I've decided to call it quits.
The last 20 months or so have been a nightmare trying to get parts - parts that
historically were always in stock now 30, 50 even 84 weeks lead time with a few
just being discontinued altogether. Not fun. Besides - I'll be 67 in May - so
its time.
Unfortunately due to those parts shortages systems have been
hard to package up. Lead times have been crazy (mine to potential customers) for
a long time ... not something I like to do. And because of that all of the
systems we have now are dedicated to OEM's - telescope makers around the world.
It's what they do for their living and they had orders in place. So there are
none, now, available. Gary Kopff at Wildcard Innovations will be developing a
new product at some point - with my blessing.
I will continue to do
support for years to come - not an issue - and provide parts. I'll change the
website at some point - I'm NOT a web designer and my web design program of
choice was lost when I lost an older computer so I've not been there for a while
(the last update in I believe 2017 or so). Sorry for that - but a small point
now.
I want to thank all that have been part of our success over the
years - so many customers - great people - wonderful people. Very kind and
generous with their support. I've only had 2 "customers from hell" over the
years ... so with well over 10,000 that's pretty good overall. Jean and I
"remember" people when they call in - "Oh yeah - John - from like 2004" ....
always nice to reminisce ... brings a smile.
I have a small dob - of
course with a ServoCAT on it ... and I've been back to my "original" hobby of
ham radio which I've been doing since - well I passed the test when I was 11
back in '67 ... the call is K9RX for those that are hams - you can look me up on
QRZ.com. I hope to get out to some star parties as time permits. Hope to see
more of your ugly mugs out there... :)
Gary and Jean Myers
StellarCAT
|
Re: Its been great guys .... but all good things eventually come to an end...
Thank you Gary, very good tracking!
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Il giorno 27 gen 2022, alle ore 15:55, K9RX - Gary <amateurK9RX@...> ha scritto:
?
Just incredible images Filippo... utterly fantastic. Congrats.?
g.
------ Original Message ------
Sent: 1/26/2022 6:15:10 PM
Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] Its been great guys .... but all good things eventually come to an end...
Hi Gary,
I personally want to thank you because it is for your system that I could produce some pictures (and also amazing observations which I enjoy the most) with my Dobsonian telescope. Attached a little acknowledgment for
you, some pictures collected over the last year. I am glad you will continue to assist us in keeping the system operative. I hope in the future will be an alternative system as you mentioned in order to enjoy as much as possible our light buckets.
Good luck!
Filippo
?
?
|
Re: Its been great guys .... but all good things eventually come to an end...
Just incredible images Filippo... utterly fantastic. Congrats.?
g.
------ Original Message ------
Sent: 1/26/2022 6:15:10 PM
Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] Its been great guys .... but all good things eventually come to an end...
Hi Gary,
I personally want to thank you because it is for your system that I could produce some pictures (and also amazing observations which I enjoy the most) with my Dobsonian telescope. Attached a little acknowledgment for
you, some pictures collected over the last year. I am glad you will continue to assist us in keeping the system operative. I hope in the future will be an alternative system as you mentioned in order to enjoy as much as possible our light buckets.
Good luck!
Filippo
?
?
|
Re: Its been great guys .... but all good things eventually come to an end...
Congratulations Gary!!
Damn it, I thought you were younger than me!
And I'm 60!!
As a fellow "vendor" I have to say your reputation in our little field has been at the very top in all respects. From when I purchased my first GEN 1 close to 20 years ago, to my more recent purchase of the GEN 3, you were always there to help with any
issues that came up. Almost instantly via call or email. It was incredible. I felt like you were doing me favors, when I eventually realize that's how you treat all of your customers. I feel for a time there will be a hole in our hobby. But you are deserving
of a fantastic retirement. Hope you and the family enjoy it thoroughly!
-Roger
Astrocrumb FilterSlides and accessories
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
?
?
Hello all ... so I had a 30" StarSplitter acquired just 4 years after I got into astronomy, acquired in 1994. Nightmare optics story but not here, now. So I decided I wanted to motorize it - and started with the Bartels stepper controller.
Unfortunately, there were hardware design limitations - so I redesigned it to get better performance out of the stepper driver ... but it was too anemic for a 500# beast of a scope and it was too cumbersome. So I designed my own system - this was in November
of 2001. I had 85% of the ServoCAT written in one weekend ... and was pleased with how it worked out. I then thought: 'maybe others might want something like this'. So I offered it up ... and sold the first ones in early 2002 - one of the very first customers
was Frederic Gia of France - he is still with me today now making/selling his own custom scopes... I was, at the time, the R&D Manager for a large electronics company. A bit later I made the decision to go full time with the ServoCAT after Obsession came on
board. The rest is a (tiny) bit of history.?
So now with over 2200 systems worldwide and counting, I've decided to call it quits. The last 20 months or so have been a nightmare trying to get parts - parts that historically were always in stock now 30, 50 even 84 weeks lead time with a few just being discontinued
altogether. Not fun. Besides - I'll be 67 in May - so its time.?
Unfortunately due to those parts shortages systems have been hard to package up. Lead times have been crazy (mine to potential customers) for a long time ... not something I like to do. And because of that all of the systems we have now are dedicated to OEM's
- telescope makers around the world. It's what they do for their living and they had orders in place. So there are none, now, available. Gary Kopff at Wildcard Innovations will be developing a new product at some point - with my blessing.?
I will continue to do support for years to come - not an issue - and provide parts. I'll change the website at some point - I'm NOT a web designer and my web design program of choice was lost when I lost an older computer so I've not been there for a while
(the last update in I believe 2017 or so). Sorry for that - but a small point now.?
I want to thank all that have been part of our success over the years - so many customers - great people - wonderful people. Very kind and generous with their support. I've only had 2 "customers from hell" over the years ... so with well over 10,000 that's
pretty good overall. Jean and I "remember" people when they call in - "Oh yeah - John - from like 2004" .... always nice to reminisce ... brings a smile.?
I have a small dob - of course with a ServoCAT on it ... and I've been back to my "original" hobby of ham radio which I've been doing since - well I passed the test when I was 11 back in '67 ... the call is K9RX for those that are hams - you can look me up
on?QRZ.com. I hope to get out to some star parties as time permits. Hope to see more of your ugly mugs out there... :)
Gary and Jean Myers
StellarCAT?
|
Re: Its been great guys .... but all good things eventually come to an end...
Congrats Gary, ? 67 seems so young (I am just a few months behind you in age).? I do hope you enjoy your retirement. ? I absolutely enjoy my ServoCAT, powered ground board and CAT PAW that I installed on my Obsession UC18.? My ServoCAT drives my UC18 out on the back deck while I observe with my Mallincam inside on my big screen TV (using Stellarium). ? Having more fun than a human should be allowed to have. ? I met Mel Bartels and Tim Puckett at Tim’s Observatory long ago (in the 90’s) and considered building the CCD cookbook camera (but the camera sensor was discontinued by that time) and Mel’s stepper controller. ? Both Mel and Tim built one of those CCD cookbook cameras and I knew I would eventually load a camera into a dob focuser. ?? ? I hope to meet you at a star party someday. ? Thanks for a great design and all the assistance you provided to get me tracking my DSOs. ? Best of luck in your retirement! ? Richard Miller
|
Re: Its been great guys .... but all good things eventually come to an end...
Congrats with your retirement. You are a great innovator and entrepreneur. I have enjoyed and am still enjoying my ServoCat!?
You will be missed and not soon forgotten!
Good Luck!
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jan 26, 2022, at 9:14 AM, Jack Huerkamp <Mallincamusa@...> wrote:
? Gary, ? Congratulations on your retirement and for developing such a wonderful and well supported product.? In the early 2000’s, I was looking to add GoTo and tracking capabilities to my 17.5” AstroSystems TeleKit.? I experimented with EQ platforms, but did not like them.? Jim Nadeau who was building and selling his NightSkyScopes at the time, was delivering one with a ServoCAT to a customer at the Mid-South Star Gaze at Rainwater Observatory in French Camp, Mississippi.? The customer ordered an Argo Navis with it and Jim was unfamiliar with its operation.? He knew that I had one, so he enlisted me to help him out.? I was so impressed with the ServoCAT at that event, I contacted you as soon as I got home and ordered one for my TeleKit.? It greatly added to my observing enjoyment, and when I started using my MallinCam cameras on the scope, the benefits provided by having both GoTo and tracking allowed me to push my observing to limits never achieved without such a system.? ? Yours truly, ? Jack ? Jack Huerkamp Jack's Astro Accessories, LLC 38388 Pine Street Pearl River, LA 70452-5192 985-445-5063 mallincamusa@...
30.37N? 89.76W ? All of us get lost in the darkness.
Dreamers learn to steer by the stars. ………………………………….Neil Peart ? ? ? ? Hello all ... so I had a 30" StarSplitter acquired just 4 years after I got into astronomy, acquired in 1994. Nightmare optics story but not here, now. So I decided I wanted to motorize it - and started with the Bartels stepper controller. Unfortunately, there were hardware design limitations - so I redesigned it to get better performance out of the stepper driver ... but it was too anemic for a 500# beast of a scope and it was too cumbersome. So I designed my own system - this was in November of 2001. I had 85% of the ServoCAT written in one weekend ... and was pleased with how it worked out. I then thought: 'maybe others might want something like this'. So I offered it up ... and sold the first ones in early 2002 - one of the very first customers was Frederic Gia of France - he is still with me today now making/selling his own custom scopes... I was, at the time, the R&D Manager for a large electronics company. A bit later I made the decision to go full time with the ServoCAT after Obsession came on board. The rest is a (tiny) bit of history.?
So now with over 2200 systems worldwide and counting, I've decided to call it quits. The last 20 months or so have been a nightmare trying to get parts - parts that historically were always in stock now 30, 50 even 84 weeks lead time with a few just being discontinued altogether. Not fun. Besides - I'll be 67 in May - so its time.?
Unfortunately due to those parts shortages systems have been hard to package up. Lead times have been crazy (mine to potential customers) for a long time ... not something I like to do. And because of that all of the systems we have now are dedicated to OEM's - telescope makers around the world. It's what they do for their living and they had orders in place. So there are none, now, available. Gary Kopff at Wildcard Innovations will be developing a new product at some point - with my blessing.?
I will continue to do support for years to come - not an issue - and provide parts. I'll change the website at some point - I'm NOT a web designer and my web design program of choice was lost when I lost an older computer so I've not been there for a while (the last update in I believe 2017 or so). Sorry for that - but a small point now.?
I want to thank all that have been part of our success over the years - so many customers - great people - wonderful people. Very kind and generous with their support. I've only had 2 "customers from hell" over the years ... so with well over 10,000 that's pretty good overall. Jean and I "remember" people when they call in - "Oh yeah - John - from like 2004" .... always nice to reminisce ... brings a smile.?
I have a small dob - of course with a ServoCAT on it ... and I've been back to my "original" hobby of ham radio which I've been doing since - well I passed the test when I was 11 back in '67 ... the call is K9RX for those that are hams - you can look me up on QRZ.com. I hope to get out to some star parties as time permits. Hope to see more of your ugly mugs out there... :)
Gary and Jean Myers
StellarCAT
|
Re: Its been great guys .... but all good things eventually come to an end...
Gary - it has been such a pleasure to tap into your expertise over the years. Great service and dedication!? Enjoy your retirement!
Regards,
Jim Sofia
On Wednesday, January 26, 2022, 07:16:28 p.m. EST, K9RX - Gary <amateurk9rx@...> wrote:
What can I say - as mentioned a great bunch of guys and gals! Thanks for the very kind words - both here and direct. it has been an honor to work with you all, and I mean that sincerely.?
Gary Myers
StellarCAT
|
Filippo Scopelliti
Jack Huerkamp
Jose Magsaysay
Dale Eason