Since I aquired an Losmandy G11 mount without any goto provision I decided to create my own solution. I was a bit reluctant to use a Gemini, mainly because of the cost, but also due to the reliability since the servo motors are somewhat prone to failure. I also like to have complete control over the software/firmware so that no "show stopper" issues will ever be a problem for me. Looking around the 'net I saw other goto systems that seemed capable, but either they had needlessly complex hardware or were commercial systems that cost about twice what they should.
OnStep is a computerized goto system, usually for stepper motor equipped mounts though any step/dir interface motor driver (including servo) should work. It was designed, from the beginning, as a more or less general purpose system and provisions were made in the firmware to allow for use on a variety of mounts including Equatorial and Alt/Az (GEM, Fork, Dobsonian, etc.) It uses an LX200 like computer command set with a few extensions to suit hand controller-less operation.
There's a telescope hand controller App for Android (free in the Google Play Store,) an option to control through a website (Smart Web Server,) and a dedicated physical hand controller (Smart Hand Controller.) Or, on a PC there's ASCOM and INDI drivers for control. These options allow you to setup and control OnStep using a wide range of software including my Sky Planetarium, Cartes du Ciel, Stellarium, SkySafari, KStars, PHD2, etc. You can see most of the control possibilities in the diagram below:
Also, please visit my StellarJourney.com site for updates, links to OnStep resources, my other astronomy software, or to see some Images taken with the assistance of my OnStep operated mounts.
If you find OnStep useful and would like to show your appreciation and support please consider making a small monetary donation. This keeps me motivated and helps cover expenses associated with my projects.
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Re: Adding AUX headers to the MaxPCB board
Jasper Capel
Thanks! I had initially planned to put the header to the right of the Teensy, but that proved to be tricky with all the traces, so I decided to make some room by removing the DB9 port.
I noticed the MISO, MOSI, CS and CLK nets aren't currently used for anything. Do you think I could reassign those to have more AUX channels to play with, or are those reserved for future functionality?
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Re: Alternatives to STM32
#EQ3
Wrong title.
If you mean on the Blue Pill PCB, then yes, STM32 compatible microcontrollers will work. It has to be 128K of flash memory. A better alternative is the RobotDyn F303CC module.
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Re: Please help how the confing.h settings for EQ-2 should be
#eq2
Marius Ungureanu
Hello, i am just starting a project based on ramps 1.4 and eq1, i wonder the following: eq2 like eq1 can’t make a 360degrees turn on it’s DEC axis, it has just a few degrees of turn on eyther side, is this a problem for a GoTo project?
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Re: Problem with absolute encoder AS37
Howard Dutton
Little typo there, patched that, should be ok now.
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Re: Problem with absolute encoder AS37
Hello Howard
thank you for the link to the new webserver. I cloned the repository but I can not compile it. sketch\src\misc\Misc.cpp: In function 'bool doubleToDms(char*, double*, boolean, boolean)': sketch\src\misc\Misc.cpp:66:80: error: new declaration 'bool doubleToDms(char*, double*, boolean, boolean)' bool doubleToDms(char *reply, double *f, boolean fullRange, boolean signPresent) { ^ In file included from sketch\src\misc\Misc.cpp:13:0: sketch\src\misc\Misc.h:26:9: error: ambiguates old declaration 'boolean doubleToDms(char*, double*, boolean, boolean)' boolean doubleToDms(char *reply, double *f, boolean fullRange, boolean signPresent); ^ sketch\src\misc\Misc.cpp: In function 'boolean decodeAxisSettings(char*, AxisSettings*)': sketch\src\misc\Misc.cpp:137:52: error: new declaration 'boolean decodeAxisSettings(char*, AxisSettings*)' boolean decodeAxisSettings(char* s, AxisSettings* a) { ^ In file included from sketch\src\misc\Misc.cpp:13:0: sketch\src\misc\Misc.h:38:6: error: ambiguates old declaration 'bool decodeAxisSettings(char*, AxisSettings*)' bool decodeAxisSettings(char* s, AxisSettings* a); ^ sketch\src\pages\EncoderControl.cpp: In function 'void handleEncoders()': sketch\src\pages\EncoderControl.cpp:114:46: error: expected ')' before ';' token data.concat(FPSTR(html_zeroEncodersNow); ^ Multiple libraries were found for "Ethernet.h" Used: C:\Users\wth\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp8266\hardware\esp8266\2.4.2\libraries\Ethernet Not used: C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\libraries\Ethernet exit status 1 Error compiling for board LOLIN(WEMOS) D1 mini Pro. -- Thomas Westerhoff Kirchheim Observatory /Germany http://sternwarte-kirchheim.de/ https://www.facebook.com/VolkssternwarteKirchheim/
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Re: Another GPS Module: AGM336H
koal01
...erratum the wire is 30 cm and not 30 mm
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Re: Another GPS Module: AGM336H
koal01
Good to know, i'd like to test this module
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Alternatives to STM32
#EQ3
wu
Can I use CSK32 or CH32 to replaced STM32？
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Re: eq 4 mount help
I'm going to do the Dec side myself now,
All that's left is a halleffect sensor.
I hope everything goes well.
thank you
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Re: Onstep web server dies/stop serving pages
"Guilherme Vênere
>> Apparently that worked as i got the page up just fine after restarting the divide. Guilherme
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Re: Onstep web server dies/stop serving pages
"Guilherme Vênere
Hi Howard, I tried 2.7.4 and immediately got the same error after flashing. I re-flashed the device a few times with different libraries and got the same issue in almost every attempt (just one attempt worked for some time). Then looking at the code, i noticed this area which defines the filesystem for the webserver: VLF("WEM: Connecting web-page handlers"); server.on("/", handleRoot); server.on("/index.htm", handleRoot); server.on("/configuration.htm", handleConfiguration); And I noticed you use /index.htm (and .htm in general for other files) and not the /start.html I see when the error occurs. That hinted to me i might have something left from previous uploads in the flash, so i chose the option to erase everything in the flash memory. Apparently that worked as i got the page up just fine after restarting the divide. I'm using the board version 2.6.2 but i guess this will work with 2.7.4 too. I will try the SWS but not now as we have a streak of clear nights here for the next week and i don't want to miss it. Clear nights in PNW are at a premium lately :) thank you for the insight Guilherme
On Tue, Apr 13, 2021 at 7:59 AM Howard Dutton <hjd1964@...> wrote: As you suspect this doesn't seem to be a common issue, and I've never noticed it myself either.
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Another GPS Module: AGM336H
I tested the AGM336H GPS module with OnStep on a FYSETC S6, and can confirm that it works.
How is this module different from the more widely used NEO 7M ones? It is very small (15.7 x 13.1 mm), works with all the satellite constellations (USA, Russia, China, Japan, Europe), and comes with a ceramic antenna that can fit inside the box (one less cable!) They claim it can get a fix from cold start in 32 seconds. Testing indoors, it is much more than that. About 1 minute 50 seconds, but at least it does get a fix. The NEO 7M with an proper external antenna usually does not get a fix for me indoors. It is also somewhat cheaper, but not by much. Here is where you can buy it on eBay, and a page with the specifications.
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Re: Max ESP 3.03 - PEC pin?
a.galavotti1@...
:)
Thank you Howard: I should have read it better. Alex
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Re: eq 4 mount help
George Cushing
Based on the many contacts I've had with OnStep builders a majority of conversions have been performed on GP copies. So there are hundreds of people here who have experience they can share. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
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Re: Problem with absolute encoder AS37
Howard Dutton
On Sat, Apr 10, 2021 at 06:50 AM, Thomas Westerhoff wrote:
How can the saving then work? Of course, it may be that I have not yet understood the whole procedure.Like I said, it's been a while... guess I skipped that. Regardless, you have set AXISn_ENC_DIFF_LIMIT_FROM so OnStep can't sync (any large amount) to the encoders. The only difference is that the OFF setting doesn't allow you save the "zero" and that limits you to having to physically orientate the encoder body. I have no intention of going back to the existing Wifi and Ethernet addons to patch things at this point. Use them as-is or try the SWS (which has the call to setZero now) and see if it works. https://github.com/hjd1964/SmartWebServer
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Re: Adding AUX headers to the MaxPCB board
Howard Dutton
That's up to you, no technical reason it can't work if done properly.
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Re: Onstep web server dies/stop serving pages
As you suspect this doesn't seem to be a common issue, and I've never noticed it myself either.
You could try the SWS (most cutting edge/up to date Wifi & Ethernet Addon.) It has a fair bit of modified/changed (improved hopefully) code. Naturally I don't have any reason to expect it'd help as I don't know of any specific problem that's triggering the issue. https://github.com/hjd1964/SmartWebServer You could also try messing around other-than-2,4,2 versions and see if the issue goes away. I've been using 2.7.4 here.
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Re: Max ESP 3.03 - PEC pin?
Howard Dutton
The MaxESP3 brings out the PEC input on the DB9 connector. The design has a 0.1uF capacitor for some basic ESD protection.
Refer to the MaxESP3 Wiki, near the bottom of the page: https://onstep.groups.io/g/main/wiki/15166
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Max ESP 3.03 - PEC pin?
a.galavotti1@...
Hi Friends.
I'm using a MAxEsp 3.03 board and I would like to try Periodic Error Correction in my old EQ5.
BTW Thank to all Creators and Contributors to this great community: first time I suceed in moving a pair of steppers. Alex
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Re: eq 4 mount help
James Lancaster
If it's got a large pin that ra attached to, like the meade 6600, I can upload files for RA at least (my dec was diy). (Thought I had, but can't find it on thingiverse.) I think the mount, a licensed Mizar was the basis of the original EQ4. Though EQ4 is a lot more shrouded in history for me, than any other. (If you edit and re-edit posts, it sends an email for each one.)
On Sat, Apr 10, 2021, 15:25 Axel <apos@...> wrote:
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