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.comsite for updates, links toOnStep resources, my other astronomy software, or to see someImages 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 asmall monetary donation. This keeps me motivated and helps cover expenses associated with my projects.
Problem is the CI-700's GR-2 ratios of 180:1, the 200 step motors and trying to use 128 µsteps. The GR-2s are hard to fix, but they work well on the GM-6 with 0.9° drives and a 3:1 GR-1. The easiest
Problem is the CI-700's GR-2 ratios of 180:1, the 200 step motors and trying to use 128 µsteps. The GR-2s are hard to fix, but they work well on the GM-6 with 0.9° drives and a 3:1 GR-1. The easiest
Just bridging the resistor with solder means you have to apply the parallel resistor rule.
So there's really no reason to flick the resistor out of the way just smother it in solder. If you have
Just bridging the resistor with solder means you have to apply the parallel resistor rule.
So there's really no reason to flick the resistor out of the way just smother it in solder. If you have
I'm an INDI user, and I ended up putting the GPS on the RPi4 running INDI. I wanted the added benefits of gpsd and NTP, and the INDI server can use the time to sync all my attached gear to the same
I'm an INDI user, and I ended up putting the GPS on the RPi4 running INDI. I wanted the added benefits of gpsd and NTP, and the INDI server can use the time to sync all my attached gear to the same
Hello guys, Currently I have my G-11 modify with Onstep MiniPCB2 (Tenssy 3.2) with Smart Hand Controller (ESP32 version)
Before I ask questions... I'll explain how I use 1st..
My Step by Step Using
Hello guys, Currently I have my G-11 modify with Onstep MiniPCB2 (Tenssy 3.2) with Smart Hand Controller (ESP32 version)
Before I ask questions... I'll explain how I use 1st..
My Step by Step Using
Try a different cable - one you know works to exchange data.
A lot of micro-USB cables are made as 'power-only'. If you picked up one that came with a device that only needed to charge and not
Try a different cable - one you know works to exchange data.
A lot of micro-USB cables are made as 'power-only'. If you picked up one that came with a device that only needed to charge and not
Windows will detect the CP2102 if things are working. Do you get a red light on the CP2102 when you plug in the USB cable? The CP2102 is powered only from the USB port of the computer, so if you don't
Windows will detect the CP2102 if things are working. Do you get a red light on the CP2102 when you plug in the USB cable? The CP2102 is powered only from the USB port of the computer, so if you don't
Hi,
I just finished my Onstep Blue Pill PCB (version 1.8) and I'm in the process of flashing Onstep firmware on STM32. I powered on the board and connected my Windows 10 PC to CP2102 using a micro-USB
Hi,
I just finished my Onstep Blue Pill PCB (version 1.8) and I'm in the process of flashing Onstep firmware on STM32. I powered on the board and connected my Windows 10 PC to CP2102 using a micro-USB
I have a GPS with PPS on my S6 (and so does Dave Schwartz).
The way I understand it (Howard will correct me) is that OnStep waits until the GPS gets a lock, then reads the coordinates
and time, then
I have a GPS with PPS on my S6 (and so does Dave Schwartz).
The way I understand it (Howard will correct me) is that OnStep waits until the GPS gets a lock, then reads the coordinates
and time, then
Beware with respect to the GPS. Here's the output of my Pi3 timeserver, running an Adafruit Ultimate GPS, external antenna, and PPS enabled (along with GPSD and NTPd):
pi@tappertime:~ $ ntpq -crv
Beware with respect to the GPS. Here's the output of my Pi3 timeserver, running an Adafruit Ultimate GPS, external antenna, and PPS enabled (along with GPSD and NTPd):
pi@tappertime:~ $ ntpq -crv
I added analogWriteResolution(8) to the STM32 HAL instead. Please test and let me know if that does the trick.
Wow, that's an unfortunate situation STM32Duino defaulting to 12bit but I'm sure there's
I added analogWriteResolution(8) to the STM32 HAL instead. Please test and let me know if that does the trick.
Wow, that's an unfortunate situation STM32Duino defaulting to 12bit but I'm sure there's
That is also on my roadmap - like a small panel which fits one side of the enclosure (LEDs, GPS, Wemos, Weather) and just connect that with ribbon cable..maybe we shall join our effort here :)
That is also on my roadmap - like a small panel which fits one side of the enclosure (LEDs, GPS, Wemos, Weather) and just connect that with ribbon cable..maybe we shall join our effort here :)
Yeah, I have seen ones like it, and they were 50cm, way too long.
These are 30cm, still long, but
The reason is: I am thinking of having a daughter board for everything that goes
into EXP1 and EXP2
Yeah, I have seen ones like it, and they were 50cm, way too long.
These are 30cm, still long, but
The reason is: I am thinking of having a daughter board for everything that goes
into EXP1 and EXP2
