Hi Dale,

It was a pity my original response got lost. Even more so because I had spent considerable time composing it into what would have clearly been the best response to any question ever asked on the Internet. LOL

I will have a second go but I promise you it won't be as good as my original attempt which appears lost to the ether. :)

Normally with the ServoCAT the preferred wiring topology is :-

Planetarium <-> ServoCAT <-> Argo Navis

One then selects ServoCAT on the planetarium program (assuming you are using, say, Sky Safari that supports it) and then the ServoCAT relays commands and responses forward and back from the Argo Navis as required.

To do this, one uses the ServoCAT port marked as PC. However, all late model ServoCATs have a USB PC socket rather than an RS-232 connection (internally it converts back to RS-232).

Now with newer devices like the SkyFi 3, this is not a problem because SkyFi 3 supports USB and RS-232 connectivity.

However, the SkyWire device only supports RS-232, so that means the topology you will have to use is :-

Planetarium <-> Argo Navis

So you can use the "other" Argo Navis serial port, the one not interfaced to the ServoCAT, to do this.

On the Argo Navis side, set the startup command protocol to 'meade' and the Baud rate to 9600.

Whenever changing the STARTUP setting, be sure to press EXIT or ENTER to escape the menu and save the setting to non-volatile memory.

Then power OFF the unit and power it back ON so the new STARTUP command starts.

On the SkySafari side, use a setting of Meade LX200 GOTO, not the PUSHTO setting.

SkySafari will then track the telescopes movements. If you select an object on Sky Safari and issue a "GOTO", the Argo Navis

FROM PLANETARIUM entry will be filled and you can guide to the target in the normal way.

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The SkyWire and newer SkyFi 3 devices have a DB-9 connector.

If you are using the standard Argo Navis Serial Cable, then you should be good to go. Simply mate it with the DB-9 on the SkyWire/SkyFi 3.

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Though other serial cables might look similar, chances are they are wired completely different. There is no standard and the Argo Navis Serial to PC cables are custom made. For DIY types you need to refer to the Argo Navis User's Manual in Appendix C which has the port pinouts and Google a PC DB-9 connector and remember to cross RXD and TXD. Many DIY enthusiasts get their cables wrong and that in itself can represent a false economy as we then can then all lose a lot of time attempting to assist.

For example, the RJ-to-RJ plug cable can be wired with the connections straight through or reversed.

Inside the DB-9 header there can be a multiplicity of permutations for the wires that go from the RJ socket to the DB-9 pins.

For a DIY cable you would need to buzz out the cable from end to end with a multimeter ensuring the three critical wires match the Appendix C and IBM PC pinouts with RXD and TXD crossing over.

The SkyBT device has a DB-9 connector that mimics that of a COM port of an IBM PC.

https://www.db9-pinout.com/

Only three wires are used.

GND needs to be connected to GND.

RXD on one side needs to be connected to TXD on the other.

TXD on one side needs to be connected to RXD on the other.

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开云体育

开云体育

Hi Dale,

I just spent time authoring a response but when I hit Reply to Group, I could not see it and backing up didn't give me the ability to retrieve.

If for some reason my response does not appear, could you please email sales@...?and I will respond from there.

That way I can be sure you get a response.
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开云体育

Hi Richard,

Feel free to email us direct any time. :)

Progress has been made but unfortunately the global semiconductor supply chain issues are impacting just about everyone right now who manufactures anything, including us.

So unfortunately it won't be under your Christmas tree this year. But maybe next. :)

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开云体育

开云体育

开云体育

开云体育