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.
There is a design of case that does not require a board at all, it's all done with point-to-point wiring. Should be able to find it with a bit of searching.
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Sent from my Android device with K-9
There is a design of case that does not require a board at all, it's all done with point-to-point wiring. Should be able to find it with a bit of searching.
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Sent from my Android device with K-9
Hi, I was curious if anyone had made the Smart Hand Controller without going and ordering the custom made pcb? I'm pretty sure I have all the components, but I really don't feel like spending the
Hi, I was curious if anyone had made the Smart Hand Controller without going and ordering the custom made pcb? I'm pretty sure I have all the components, but I really don't feel like spending the
The date/time set through the SHC is definitely set in the RTC. I just tested it using my STM32 BP controller which has an RTC. I set the date/time using the new SHC to a few days in the future and
The date/time set through the SHC is definitely set in the RTC. I just tested it using my STM32 BP controller which has an RTC. I set the date/time using the new SHC to a few days in the future and
You don't need to mess with the Library tab at all.
It just allows people who want to, to upload their own very limited set of objects.
The limit is basically available flash memory space on the
You don't need to mess with the Library tab at all.
It just allows people who want to, to upload their own very limited set of objects.
The limit is basically available flash memory space on the
Thank you for all your help got SWS working I like the interface, just one more question please in the library tab I need to download a catalog I looked on Wiki but can't find one. Thanks again.
Thank you for all your help got SWS working I like the interface, just one more question please in the library tab I need to download a catalog I looked on Wiki but can't find one. Thanks again.
The RTC doesn't have a battery out of the box... did you install a good one (+ side up)?
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Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.
The RTC doesn't have a battery out of the box... did you install a good one (+ side up)?
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Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.
The thing about the SHC not connecting if the WiFi module was in but not connecting is certainly strange but not likely to be the fault of the SHC as the SHC and Wifi are supposed to be two
The thing about the SHC not connecting if the WiFi module was in but not connecting is certainly strange but not likely to be the fault of the SHC as the SHC and Wifi are supposed to be two
By saying 'no issues' I meant that there were no discernable differences between the way the new and old code performed, not that there might not be room for improvement in the way they did things in
By saying 'no issues' I meant that there were no discernable differences between the way the new and old code performed, not that there might not be room for improvement in the way they did things in
Dave,
I figured the SHC doesn't have a clock, but when I enter the time into the SHC, doesn't that pass it on to the RTC to update it? What's the battery for then? The RTC doesn't come ready to go
Dave,
I figured the SHC doesn't have a clock, but when I enter the time into the SHC, doesn't that pass it on to the RTC to update it? What's the battery for then? The RTC doesn't come ready to go
The SHC has no clock. The only date and time it can show to you is what it retrieves from the controller. If there is an RTC in the controller it should be pretty accurate from the start but if it
The SHC has no clock. The only date and time it can show to you is what it retrieves from the controller. If there is an RTC in the controller it should be pretty accurate from the start but if it
John,
Checked Khalid's suggestion about version 1.9 and yes, that is the one I used. I'm also happy that I followed all the instructions in the Wiki.
Below is a copy of the
John,
Checked Khalid's suggestion about version 1.9 and yes, that is the one I used. I'm also happy that I followed all the instructions in the Wiki.
Below is a copy of the
I finally got the SHC loaded. Here are a few of the things I found. If the WEMOS wifi is not connecting, it inhibits the SHC to controller communications. I would plug in the WEMOS (before I got
I finally got the SHC loaded. Here are a few of the things I found. If the WEMOS wifi is not connecting, it inhibits the SHC to controller communications. I would plug in the WEMOS (before I got
