|
Gary, I tried sending a note to your old email address
at ServoCat.? You probably did not get it.? I got an email from you
through the [email protected]?which was about
another problem, not mine.? Not sure if I am a member -- although if I got
the email maybe I am.
?
?
I purchased a ServoCat Junior from you a number of years
ago for my 15 inch DOB.? I have had been very happy with it until a problem
this summer.? (I did not use it for 2 years because of the pandemic). I did
replace the button battery in the Argo Navis as a precaution?last
month.
?
The problem is doing a GoTo to the southern part of the
sky and this has occurred on several nights.? Last night I aligned on
Altair and Mizar.? Did GoTo to nearby M101 and M51 with no problem. Then
tried to go to M11 in the south and the telescope did not move. It gave 3
beeboops followed by a final two tone beep.? I then manually moved
telescope until Argo Navis had (0,0) and I had the cluster in sight.? I
then engaged the drive and it tracked successfully.? Same problem with
M27.? Manually moved to the Veil Nebula and tracked it.? From there
did a GoTo to M31 which worked perfectly.? Then tried
to?GoTo?back to the Veil from M31 but no
luck.? I can do GoTo's in northern half of sky but not southern but the
tracking is fine in the south. My altitude limits are set to 10deg and 80deg
which I thought the 3 beep-beep indicated might be a problem. I feel this is
something minor like a setting that got miss set.
?
Any help would be appreciated.
?
Doug Brown
|
Hi Doug,
?
Yes indeed I did get this - my apologies for not getting back to you sooner.?
?
The beep tone that you describe is one that indicates that one of the following is not set correctly: DATE/TIME/LOCATION. These are all needed to be accurate in order for a GOTO to work properly. The reason why is that the software in the AN/CAT system has 'knowledge' of the local horizon. This is only based on the alignment and critically the date/time/location. With this it will prevent a GOTO to an object that it believes to be below the horizon. This does not say that an alignment failed - you can indeed 'find' things - it only says that the computed local horizon is not what it is in reality and those settings will determine it. I'd guess that you changed something. Check these out and remember/note that the time is 24 hour format so if it is after 1PM local time the time will be 1300 or higher.?
I sent you a list of the beep tones as well.?
Gary?
?
?
|
You were right on target!? The time had been
incorrectly set--12 not 24hr.? Sort of surprised that it didn't mess up the
northern GoTo's since it thought it was late morning and not late evening.?
If you have a list of the beep tones and their meaning I would appreciate that
information.? I do have an older list -- I think.
?
On another note--are you selling replacements for the
pushbutton box?? My CW button tends to stick and I have to be careful when
using it.
?
On another note--I have never updated the software for
the SC box and I am not sure that I can even update the parameters for the
telescope.? The laptop I used when I built the DOB and installed AN-SC
hasn't been used for years (not even sure where it is).? I still have the
interface cables but as I remember you had to use a basic text editor? to send
the numbers to the SC.? Is that still the way to go?
?
We have been having great skies here in northern WI and
it is really great getting the 15inch working again. We live in Indianapolis so
dark summer skies in WI are a real treat.
?
Many thanks,
Doug
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Sent: Thursday, September 1, 2022 3:14 PM
Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] No GoTo in southern part of
sky
Hi Doug,
?
Yes indeed I did get this - my apologies for not getting back to you
sooner.?
?
The beep tone that you describe is one that indicates that one of the
following is not set correctly: DATE/TIME/LOCATION. These are all needed to be
accurate in order for a GOTO to work properly. The reason why is that the
software in the AN/CAT system has 'knowledge' of the local horizon. This is only
based on the alignment and critically the date/time/location. With this it will
prevent a GOTO to an object that it believes to be below the horizon. This does
not say that an alignment failed - you can indeed 'find' things - it only says
that the computed local horizon is not what it is in reality and those settings
will determine it. I'd guess that you changed something. Check these out and
remember/note that the time is 24 hour format so if it is after 1PM local time
the time will be 1300 or higher.?
I sent you a list of the beep tones as well.?
Gary?
?
?
|
Doug,?
I sent you a list of the beep tones - it is the last page of the "setup and startup" doc. Note it only applies to use with the Argo Navis and the complete list is only used in the latest version firmware ServoCAT (version 7 released Jan 2015) and AN version 3.?
Assuming you have a black box ServoCAT (main box) then yes it can be upgraded, either by yourself or I can do it for you. For the former you would need the cables (and adapter/USB converter if Gen2). The program is not a text editor - its a little bit more than that. I can create a dat file for you as you would need to re-download that after having upgraded. Likewise the cable and USB converter would be needed for the AN. For the latter, we do it here, the price is $45 if I do both units here, plus return insured S&H. Drop me a line direct if you have more questions on this. Note that the latest version has some really cool features and functionality. Including "AutoLOCK 'which will lock on a point in space with ZERO accumulated error all-night-long! As well as native tracking for the Planets, the Moon, the Sun (CAUTION), asteroids, comets and even man-made satellites like the HST or ISS or the hundreds of junk boosters out there...?
Gary Myers StellarCAT
------ Original Message ------
Date 9/2/2022 12:11:25 PM
Subject Re: [ServoCAT] No GoTo in southern part of sky
You were right on target!? The time had been
incorrectly set--12 not 24hr.? Sort of surprised that it didn't mess up the
northern GoTo's since it thought it was late morning and not late evening.?
If you have a list of the beep tones and their meaning I would appreciate that
information.? I do have an older list -- I think.
?
On another note--are you selling replacements for the
pushbutton box?? My CW button tends to stick and I have to be careful when
using it.
?
On another note--I have never updated the software for
the SC box and I am not sure that I can even update the parameters for the
telescope.? The laptop I used when I built the DOB and installed AN-SC
hasn't been used for years (not even sure where it is).? I still have the
interface cables but as I remember you had to use a basic text editor? to send
the numbers to the SC.? Is that still the way to go?
?
We have been having great skies here in northern WI and
it is really great getting the 15inch working again. We live in Indianapolis so
dark summer skies in WI are a real treat.
?
Many thanks,
Doug
Sent: Thursday, September 1, 2022 3:14 PM
Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] No GoTo in southern part of
sky
Hi Doug,
?
Yes indeed I did get this - my apologies for not getting back to you
sooner.?
?
The beep tone that you describe is one that indicates that one of the
following is not set correctly: DATE/TIME/LOCATION. These are all needed to be
accurate in order for a GOTO to work properly. The reason why is that the
software in the AN/CAT system has 'knowledge' of the local horizon. This is only
based on the alignment and critically the date/time/location. With this it will
prevent a GOTO to an object that it believes to be below the horizon. This does
not say that an alignment failed - you can indeed 'find' things - it only says
that the computed local horizon is not what it is in reality and those settings
will determine it. I'd guess that you changed something. Check these out and
remember/note that the time is 24 hour format so if it is after 1PM local time
the time will be 1300 or higher.?
I sent you a list of the beep tones as well.?
Gary?
?
?
|
Hi Dave!
I didn't hear from you about your attempt at calibration and observing the other night. I hope it went well.
You may want to consider joining this group. It's still a wealth of information and Gary is actually still doing a lot of support in it as you can see below.
-Roger
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Sep 2, 2022, at 1:09 PM, K9RX - Gary via groups.io <amateurK9RX@...> wrote:
?
Doug,?
I sent you a list of the beep tones - it is the last page of the "setup and startup" doc. Note it only applies to use with the Argo Navis and the complete list is only used in the latest version firmware ServoCAT (version 7 released Jan 2015) and AN version
3.?
Assuming you have a black box ServoCAT (main box) then yes it can be upgraded, either by yourself or I can do it for you. For the former you would need the cables (and adapter/USB converter if Gen2). The program is not a text editor - its a little bit
more than that. I can create a dat file for you as you would need to re-download that after having upgraded. Likewise the cable and USB converter would be needed for the AN. For the latter, we do it here, the price is $45 if I do both units here, plus return
insured S&H. Drop me a line direct if you have more questions on this. Note that the latest version has some really cool features and functionality. Including "AutoLOCK 'which will lock on a point in space with ZERO accumulated error all-night-long! As well
as native tracking for the Planets, the Moon, the Sun (CAUTION), asteroids, comets and even man-made satellites like the HST or ISS or the hundreds of junk boosters out there...?
Gary Myers
StellarCAT
------ Original Message ------
Date 9/2/2022 12:11:25 PM
Subject Re: [ServoCAT] No GoTo in southern part of sky
You were right on target!? The time had been incorrectly set--12 not 24hr.? Sort of surprised that it didn't mess up the northern GoTo's since it thought it was late morning and not late evening.? If you have a list of the beep tones
and their meaning I would appreciate that information.? I do have an older list -- I think.
?
On another note--are you selling replacements for the pushbutton box?? My CW button tends to stick and I have to be careful when using it.
?
On another note--I have never updated the software for the SC box and I am not sure that I can even update the parameters for the telescope.? The laptop I used when I built the DOB and installed AN-SC hasn't been used for years (not
even sure where it is).? I still have the interface cables but as I remember you had to use a basic text editor? to send the numbers to the SC.? Is that still the way to go?
?
We have been having great skies here in northern WI and it is really great getting the 15inch working again. We live in Indianapolis so dark summer skies in WI are a real treat.
?
Many thanks,
Doug
Sent: Thursday, September 1, 2022 3:14 PM
Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] No GoTo in southern part of sky
Hi Doug,
?
Yes indeed I did get this - my apologies for not getting back to you sooner.?
?
The beep tone that you describe is one that indicates that one of the following is not set correctly: DATE/TIME/LOCATION. These are all needed to be accurate in order for a GOTO to work properly. The reason why is that the software in the AN/CAT system
has 'knowledge' of the local horizon. This is only based on the alignment and critically the date/time/location. With this it will prevent a GOTO to an object that it believes to be below the horizon. This does not say that an alignment failed - you can indeed
'find' things - it only says that the computed local horizon is not what it is in reality and those settings will determine it. I'd guess that you changed something. Check these out and remember/note that the time is 24 hour format so if it is after 1PM local
time the time will be 1300 or higher.?
I sent you a list of the beep tones as well.?
Gary?
?
?
|
Sorry group!
My previous email was meant for a friend!
:-)
-Roger
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Sep 2, 2022, at 1:09 PM, K9RX - Gary via groups.io <amateurK9RX@...> wrote:
?
Doug,?
I sent you a list of the beep tones - it is the last page of the "setup and startup" doc. Note it only applies to use with the Argo Navis and the complete list is only used in the latest version firmware ServoCAT (version 7 released Jan 2015) and AN version
3.?
Assuming you have a black box ServoCAT (main box) then yes it can be upgraded, either by yourself or I can do it for you. For the former you would need the cables (and adapter/USB converter if Gen2). The program is not a text editor - its a little bit
more than that. I can create a dat file for you as you would need to re-download that after having upgraded. Likewise the cable and USB converter would be needed for the AN. For the latter, we do it here, the price is $45 if I do both units here, plus return
insured S&H. Drop me a line direct if you have more questions on this. Note that the latest version has some really cool features and functionality. Including "AutoLOCK 'which will lock on a point in space with ZERO accumulated error all-night-long! As well
as native tracking for the Planets, the Moon, the Sun (CAUTION), asteroids, comets and even man-made satellites like the HST or ISS or the hundreds of junk boosters out there...?
Gary Myers
StellarCAT
------ Original Message ------
Date 9/2/2022 12:11:25 PM
Subject Re: [ServoCAT] No GoTo in southern part of sky
You were right on target!? The time had been incorrectly set--12 not 24hr.? Sort of surprised that it didn't mess up the northern GoTo's since it thought it was late morning and not late evening.? If you have a list of the beep tones
and their meaning I would appreciate that information.? I do have an older list -- I think.
?
On another note--are you selling replacements for the pushbutton box?? My CW button tends to stick and I have to be careful when using it.
?
On another note--I have never updated the software for the SC box and I am not sure that I can even update the parameters for the telescope.? The laptop I used when I built the DOB and installed AN-SC hasn't been used for years (not
even sure where it is).? I still have the interface cables but as I remember you had to use a basic text editor? to send the numbers to the SC.? Is that still the way to go?
?
We have been having great skies here in northern WI and it is really great getting the 15inch working again. We live in Indianapolis so dark summer skies in WI are a real treat.
?
Many thanks,
Doug
Sent: Thursday, September 1, 2022 3:14 PM
Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] No GoTo in southern part of sky
Hi Doug,
?
Yes indeed I did get this - my apologies for not getting back to you sooner.?
?
The beep tone that you describe is one that indicates that one of the following is not set correctly: DATE/TIME/LOCATION. These are all needed to be accurate in order for a GOTO to work properly. The reason why is that the software in the AN/CAT system
has 'knowledge' of the local horizon. This is only based on the alignment and critically the date/time/location. With this it will prevent a GOTO to an object that it believes to be below the horizon. This does not say that an alignment failed - you can indeed
'find' things - it only says that the computed local horizon is not what it is in reality and those settings will determine it. I'd guess that you changed something. Check these out and remember/note that the time is 24 hour format so if it is after 1PM local
time the time will be 1300 or higher.?
I sent you a list of the beep tones as well.?
Gary?
?
?
|
Gary,
?
For sure I would like you to do the upgrading.? We
will be in northern WI for awhile longer but when we get back to Indy?I
will ship unit to you.? We will make two trips to Indy from WI because of
all the stuff that we have here for the summer.? I have a 10 inch LX200 in
addition to the 15 inch DOB and it is hard to get both scopes in the car at the
same time?with all of our other stuff.? We will be traveling back and
forth on the last of September and the 2nd week of October.? Does?it
matter when you get the?SC boxes?? Also, I will have to do the second
upgrade to the AN as I had only downloaded the first. It will
be?really?nice having these updates.
?
I did not receive any information about the beep tones,
I suspect that groups IO may have stripped any attachments.
?
Again, many thanks for your service.
?
Doug
?
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Sent: Friday, September 2, 2022 1:09 PM
Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] No GoTo in southern part of
sky
Doug,?
I sent you a list of the beep tones - it is the last page of the "setup and
startup" doc. Note it only applies to use with the Argo Navis and the complete
list is only used in the latest version firmware ServoCAT (version 7 released
Jan 2015) and AN version 3.?
Assuming you have a black box ServoCAT (main box) then yes it can be
upgraded, either by yourself or I can do it for you. For the former you would
need the cables (and adapter/USB converter if Gen2). The program is not a text
editor - its a little bit more than that. I can create a dat file for you as you
would need to re-download that after having upgraded. Likewise the cable and USB
converter would be needed for the AN. For the latter, we do it here, the price
is $45 if I do both units here, plus return insured S&H. Drop me a line
direct if you have more questions on this. Note that the latest version has some
really cool features and functionality. Including "AutoLOCK 'which will lock on
a point in space with ZERO accumulated error all-night-long! As well as native
tracking for the Planets, the Moon, the Sun (CAUTION), asteroids, comets and
even man-made satellites like the HST or ISS or the hundreds of junk boosters
out there...?
Gary Myers
StellarCAT
------ Original Message ------
Date 9/2/2022 12:11:25 PM
Subject Re: [ServoCAT] No GoTo in southern part of sky
You were right on target!? The time had been
incorrectly set--12 not 24hr.? Sort of surprised that it didn't mess up
the northern GoTo's since it thought it was late morning and not late
evening.? If you have a list of the beep tones and their meaning I would
appreciate that information.? I do have an older list -- I think.
?
On another note--are you selling replacements for the
pushbutton box?? My CW button tends to stick and I have to be careful
when using it.
?
On another note--I have never updated the software for
the SC box and I am not sure that I can even update the parameters for the
telescope.? The laptop I used when I built the DOB and installed AN-SC
hasn't been used for years (not even sure where it is).? I still have the
interface cables but as I remember you had to use a basic text editor? to send
the numbers to the SC.? Is that still the way to go?
?
We have been having great skies here in northern WI
and it is really great getting the 15inch working again. We live in
Indianapolis so dark summer skies in WI are a real treat.
?
Many thanks,
Doug
Sent: Thursday, September 1, 2022 3:14 PM
Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] No GoTo in southern part of sky
Hi Doug,
?
Yes indeed I did get this - my apologies for not getting back to you
sooner.?
?
The beep tone that you describe is one that indicates that one of the
following is not set correctly: DATE/TIME/LOCATION. These are all needed to be
accurate in order for a GOTO to work properly. The reason why is that the
software in the AN/CAT system has 'knowledge' of the local horizon. This is
only based on the alignment and critically the date/time/location. With this
it will prevent a GOTO to an object that it believes to be below the horizon.
This does not say that an alignment failed - you can indeed 'find' things - it
only says that the computed local horizon is not what it is in reality and
those settings will determine it. I'd guess that you changed something. Check
these out and remember/note that the time is 24 hour format so if it is after
1PM local time the time will be 1300 or higher.?
I sent you a list of the beep tones as well.?
Gary?
?
?
|
Doug - just to be sure I resent the doc. It was sent direct to you both times. The 2nd time I used a different outgoing email address just in case the first was blocked.
Also note it along with all documentation is on our supplied CD.?
Gary Myers
StellarCAT
|
Gary, still no luck on the docs. We are in the northern
part of Wisconsin and high speed internet has only recently arrived so maybe
there is a problem at my end.? Maybe you could resend at a later date when
we are back in Indy.? Really appreciate your quick responses.? Looking
forward to the upgraded ServoCat.
?
Doug
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Sent: Saturday, September 3, 2022 7:40 AM
Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] No GoTo in southern part of
sky
Doug - just to be sure I resent the doc. It was sent direct to
you both times. The 2nd time I used a different outgoing email address just in
case the first was blocked. Also note it along with all documentation is on
our supplied CD.? Gary Myers StellarCAT
|
hmmm... that is odd.... drop me a line, direct please techsupport@... and let me know when you're back.
g.
------ Original Message ------
Date 9/3/2022 4:28:03 PM
Subject Re: [ServoCAT] No GoTo in southern part of sky
Gary, still no luck on the docs. We are in the northern
part of Wisconsin and high speed internet has only recently arrived so maybe
there is a problem at my end.? Maybe you could resend at a later date when
we are back in Indy.? Really appreciate your quick responses.? Looking
forward to the upgraded ServoCat.
?
Doug
Sent: Saturday, September 3, 2022 7:40 AM
Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] No GoTo in southern part of
sky
Doug - just to be sure I resent the doc. It was sent direct to
you both times. The 2nd time I used a different outgoing email address just in
case the first was blocked.
Also note it along with all documentation is on
our supplied CD.?
Gary Myers
StellarCAT
|
