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EAA Another Way.... (Rain, rain, go away....)
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Feb 20, 2017 15:27:22   #
SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA
 
EAA - Electronically Assisted Astronomy. My rainy dayz project.
The direction I headed when getting into this maddening sport. Often I said, "All I want is the Hubble."
Plain and Simple, can't.
But I'm a function sort of guy. I like taking a pigs ear, and trying to make a silk purse from it. Getting the most I can from whatever it is I'm doing.
A mutual friend of ours mentioned a new method to me. I took the ball and ran with it. Especially once the CFO here told me to go ahead.
I've finally arrived at being ready for the weather to give us a damned break so we can go back out and shoot some stars.

Electronically controlled focusing and Stick Computers. My next natural steps towards mount independence. Or going wireless, or in my case wires less. Because after all, things need power. So I do have 2 - 12 volt circuits from my big battery, and a 5 volt, 3 amp circuit feeding up the mount. But the Stick Computer running Windows 10 is alive and wirelessly in control perched up on top of my telescope tube Velcro mounted. (It's not just for shoes anymore. )

The focuser is an Arduino project where an electronic programmable logic controller (USB2), controls a motor driver circuit board and a small geared stepper motor to adjust the focuser in or out to adjust my telescopes focuser. In a nutshell... The Focuser Project came from here.

The stick computer is essentially a Mini, fully functioning, Windows 10 OS computer. Its intention is to plug into an HDMI port in a big screen TV display, and turn it into a functioning Windows 10 computer, and to (once set-up) Bluetooth connect to a wireless keyboard and touch pad or mouse. (It requires a USB keyboard (wired) for inital start-up. $10 at Walmart)
But we are in dark waters here and following paths of those who have ventured before us.
The Stick has WiFi, Bluetooth, and two USB ports. I went low buck, but there are pricier versions and more power and RAM memory available. I've also put one of my mini SD cards (64Gb) in my stick and programmed it to store everything there. (It can use up to a 128Gb mini SD card.) (My point there was to keep the Sticks hard drive light and unburdened)
With a hub (I used a powered hub) connected to the USB2 port (works for my 2.4 MHz router), it connects through a WiFi extender to my router. And that let's me log into it with Tight Vnc giving me the Sticks desktop and full function wirelessly of the Stick computer.

It has a noticeable lag in function, but it works. And I'm in day 4 of long run testing of function (12 to 16 hours a day). I have my typical programs open and working as much as they can without actually guiding and imaging objects. But my cameras are running and imaging capped scopes, the mount, Stellarium, and PHD2 are running, and all appears well.
I had my USB3 hub plugged into the Stick's USB3 port at first. But a guy recommended I connect via the USB2 port and that cured all my problems. USB3 works better over the new C type connections and 5 MHz WiFi. Which this church mouse doesn't have. I have a 2.4 MHz G type wireless router. (Hot item in its day)
Set-up, or tear down consists of 4 plugs (Cables) to free the telescope of the mount, or to mount it. (12 V, 5 V, 1 USB, and 1 RJ-11) Hense, why I say Wire Less. Or Less wires.
The 1 USB (white), and RJ-11 (Guider) simply jump down to the AVX. So only the 12V (2 wires) and 5V (1 wire) actually exit the mount.

Some folks are doing a portable router for remote locations set up. Sitting in their warm car, running their mount outside, wirelessly. (I don't see me doing that, I like being home.)

So... this to get rid of what? USB cables for one. And to free up my laptop and dragging it out and back every night. But there is a caveat here, I can connect my desktop, and I can connect my laptop, and recently discovered I can even connect my phone... all at the same time. And any of the 3 can be used to run the equipment wirelessly through my (antiquated) wireless network. (Password protected, of course)
Something that held me back was, to go wireless at the mount would eliminate the visual the laptop afforded. Now, a laptop can log on to my network, connect through Vnc, and there is the mounts computers desktop.
Folks are sitting in their recliners in their living rooms, and running their mounts wirelessly. It sounded appealing to me.
Fine adjusting the focus, and doing anything I used to sitting out in my yard I will be able to do now (except filter wheel changes, and the manual adjustments of an All Star Polar Alignment) from my wireless devices. I've already been doing wireless alignments, just for fun and to experiment.

OK, so no pictures = didn't happen. The hardware:
(The out-of-place looking white USB cable is connected to the NexStar handset of my AVX)

A bit closer...
A bit closer......
(Download)

My final, working, USB3 Hub and Mini Stick Computer.
My final, working, USB3 Hub and Mini Stick Compute...
(Download)

Focuser coupling. Focuser motor coupled to the 11:1 fine focuser shaft.
Focuser coupling. Focuser motor coupled to the 11:...
(Download)

The big picture... final configuration.
The big picture... final configuration....
(Download)

Reply
Feb 20, 2017 16:00:03   #
CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.
 
SonnyE wrote:
EAA - Electronically Assisted Astronomy. My rainy dayz project.
The direction I headed when getting into this maddening sport. Often I said, "All I want is the Hubble."
Plain and Simple, can't.
But I'm a function sort of guy. I like taking a pigs ear, and trying to make a silk purse from it. Getting the most I can from whatever it is I'm doing.
A mutual friend of ours mentioned a new method to me. I took the ball and ran with it. Especially once the CFO here told me to go ahead.
I've finally arrived at being ready for the weather to give us a damned break so we can go back out and shoot some stars.

Electronically controlled focusing and Stick Computers. My next natural steps towards mount independence. Or going wireless, or in my case wires less. Because after all, things need power. So I do have 2 - 12 volt circuits from my big battery, and a 5 volt, 3 amp circuit feeding up the mount. But the Stick Computer running Windows 10 is alive and wirelessly in control perched up on top of my telescope tube Velcro mounted. (It's not just for shoes anymore. )

The focuser is an Arduino project where an electronic programmable logic controller (USB2), controls a motor driver circuit board and a small geared stepper motor to adjust the focuser in or out to adjust my telescopes focuser. In a nutshell... The Focuser Project came from here.

The stick computer is essentially a Mini, fully functioning, Windows 10 OS computer. Its intention is to plug into an HDMI port in a big screen TV display, and turn it into a functioning Windows 10 computer, and to (once set-up) Bluetooth connect to a wireless keyboard and touch pad or mouse. (It requires a USB keyboard (wired) for inital start-up. $10 at Walmart)
But we are in dark waters here and following paths of those who have ventured before us.
The Stick has WiFi, Bluetooth, and two USB ports. I went low buck, but there are pricier versions and more power and RAM memory available. I've also put one of my mini SD cards (64Gb) in my stick and programmed it to store everything there. (It can use up to a 128Gb mini SD card.) (My point there was to keep the Sticks hard drive light and unburdened)
With a hub (I used a powered hub) connected to the USB2 port (works for my 2.4 MHz router), it connects through a WiFi extender to my router. And that let's me log into it with Tight Vnc giving me the Sticks desktop and full function wirelessly of the Stick computer.

It has a noticeable lag in function, but it works. And I'm in day 4 of long run testing of function (12 to 16 hours a day). I have my typical programs open and working as much as they can without actually guiding and imaging objects. But my cameras are running and imaging capped scopes, the mount, Stellarium, and PHD2 are running, and all appears well.
I had my USB3 hub plugged into the Stick's USB3 port at first. But a guy recommended I connect via the USB2 port and that cured all my problems. USB3 works better over the new C type connections and 5 MHz WiFi. Which this church mouse doesn't have. I have a 2.4 MHz G type wireless router. (Hot item in its day)
Set-up, or tear down consists of 4 plugs (Cables) to free the telescope of the mount, or to mount it. (12 V, 5 V, 1 USB, and 1 RJ-11) Hense, why I say Wire Less. Or Less wires.
The 1 USB (white), and RJ-11 (Guider) simply jump down to the AVX. So only the 12V (2 wires) and 5V (1 wire) actually exit the mount.

Some folks are doing a portable router for remote locations set up. Sitting in their warm car, running their mount outside, wirelessly. (I don't see me doing that, I like being home.)

So... this to get rid of what? USB cables for one. And to free up my laptop and dragging it out and back every night. But there is a caveat here, I can connect my desktop, and I can connect my laptop, and recently discovered I can even connect my phone... all at the same time. And any of the 3 can be used to run the equipment wirelessly through my (antiquated) wireless network. (Password protected, of course)
Something that held me back was, to go wireless at the mount would eliminate the visual the laptop afforded. Now, a laptop can log on to my network, connect through Vnc, and there is the mounts computers desktop.
Folks are sitting in their recliners in their living rooms, and running their mounts wirelessly. It sounded appealing to me.
Fine adjusting the focus, and doing anything I used to sitting out in my yard I will be able to do now (except filter wheel changes, and the manual adjustments of an All Star Polar Alignment) from my wireless devices. I've already been doing wireless alignments, just for fun and to experiment.

OK, so no pictures = didn't happen. The hardware:
(The out-of-place looking white USB cable is connected to the NexStar handset of my AVX)
EAA - Electronically Assisted Astronomy. My rainy ... (show quote)

Pretty cool setup Sonny, one question I notice that the Orion Star Shoot is rotated 90*????
Craig

Reply
Feb 20, 2017 18:33:44   #
SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA
 
CraigFair wrote:
Pretty cool setup Sonny, one question I notice that the Orion Star Shoot is rotated 90*????
Craig


Hi Craig, Thanks!

I've forgotten why I did that. I think it had to do with getting something to line up.
But in actual use, the guide camera simply locks onto one star and guides from it. And when the mount is guiding it gets all sorts of kitty-wampus, laying on one side or the other. And twisting around like a cranes head.

Any images I can turn in PP. Often I try and orient them the way I see them in Stellarium during the session.

I'm really looking forward to some clear skies one of these days. Probably never will again.

Reply
 
 
Feb 20, 2017 18:44:07   #
CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.
 
SonnyE wrote:
Hi Craig, Thanks!

I've forgotten why I did that. I think it had to do with getting something to line up.
But in actual use, the guide camera simply locks onto one star and guides from it. And when the mount is guiding it gets all sorts of kitty-wampus, laying on one side or the other. And twisting around like a cranes head.

Any images I can turn in PP. Often I try and orient them the way I see them in Stellarium during the session.

I'm really looking forward to some clear skies one of these days. Probably never will again.
Hi Craig, Thanks! br br I've forgotten why I did ... (show quote)

I am really hoping the forecast is correct, Wed & Thurs clear nights for us in So Cal.
Craig

Reply
Feb 20, 2017 19:51:40   #
SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA
 
CraigFair wrote:
I am really hoping the forecast is correct, Wed & Thurs clear nights for us in So Cal.
Craig


Boy I sure hope so! I'm getting cabin fever with these clouded days and clouded nights.

I find the weather forecast's here very distracting. I find I'm watching the weather girls more than the map.
Nothing seems to be very accurate.
Except my imagination....

Reply
Feb 20, 2017 20:34:34   #
SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA
 
CraigFair wrote:
Pretty cool setup Sonny, one question I notice that the Orion Star Shoot is rotated 90*????
Craig


Drrr, it finally came to me Craig.
The guide camera is Orientated so when I am doing my alignment, and using the image in PHD2 to align the targeted stars, East-West, or North-South follow the lines of the Bullseye in PHD2's screen.
Back when the SSAG camera was "right" when parked, I got an 'X' pattern of movement. With it at 90 degrees, the orientation moves on a '+' direction.
So I turned it on it's side for that reason. It use to drive me nuts.

It's not perfect with our worldly, North is up mapping. Because 'North' may be down or up depending where in the sky I'm pointed. IIRC mostly my 'down' button is 'North'.
But that is the reason mine is sideways. Orientation to the buttons.
East - West seems to stay correct. Left swing is left button, Right swing is the right button.
But I have my brain trained to watch for which way a button tends to move the targeted star, then continue or correct my thumb.

Function, over appearance. But that's why. It just works better for me.

Reply
Feb 21, 2017 02:22:30   #
Europa Loc: West Hills, CA
 
How did you attach the powered USB?

Does the stick run your guide and imaging cameras?

Oh, and nice setup.

Reply
 
 
Feb 21, 2017 02:41:30   #
Marc G Loc: East Grinstead, West Sussex, England
 
SonnyE wrote:
EAA - Electronically Assisted Astronomy. My rainy dayz project.
The direction I headed when getting into this maddening sport. Often I said, "All I want is the Hubble."
Plain and Simple, can't.
But I'm a function sort of guy. I like taking a pigs ear, and trying to make a silk purse from it. Getting the most I can from whatever it is I'm doing.
A mutual friend of ours mentioned a new method to me. I took the ball and ran with it. Especially once the CFO here told me to go ahead.
I've finally arrived at being ready for the weather to give us a damned break so we can go back out and shoot some stars.

Electronically controlled focusing and Stick Computers. My next natural steps towards mount independence. Or going wireless, or in my case wires less. Because after all, things need power. So I do have 2 - 12 volt circuits from my big battery, and a 5 volt, 3 amp circuit feeding up the mount. But the Stick Computer running Windows 10 is alive and wirelessly in control perched up on top of my telescope tube Velcro mounted. (It's not just for shoes anymore. )

The focuser is an Arduino project where an electronic programmable logic controller (USB2), controls a motor driver circuit board and a small geared stepper motor to adjust the focuser in or out to adjust my telescopes focuser. In a nutshell... The Focuser Project came from here.

The stick computer is essentially a Mini, fully functioning, Windows 10 OS computer. Its intention is to plug into an HDMI port in a big screen TV display, and turn it into a functioning Windows 10 computer, and to (once set-up) Bluetooth connect to a wireless keyboard and touch pad or mouse. (It requires a USB keyboard (wired) for inital start-up. $10 at Walmart)
But we are in dark waters here and following paths of those who have ventured before us.
The Stick has WiFi, Bluetooth, and two USB ports. I went low buck, but there are pricier versions and more power and RAM memory available. I've also put one of my mini SD cards (64Gb) in my stick and programmed it to store everything there. (It can use up to a 128Gb mini SD card.) (My point there was to keep the Sticks hard drive light and unburdened)
With a hub (I used a powered hub) connected to the USB2 port (works for my 2.4 MHz router), it connects through a WiFi extender to my router. And that let's me log into it with Tight Vnc giving me the Sticks desktop and full function wirelessly of the Stick computer.

It has a noticeable lag in function, but it works. And I'm in day 4 of long run testing of function (12 to 16 hours a day). I have my typical programs open and working as much as they can without actually guiding and imaging objects. But my cameras are running and imaging capped scopes, the mount, Stellarium, and PHD2 are running, and all appears well.
I had my USB3 hub plugged into the Stick's USB3 port at first. But a guy recommended I connect via the USB2 port and that cured all my problems. USB3 works better over the new C type connections and 5 MHz WiFi. Which this church mouse doesn't have. I have a 2.4 MHz G type wireless router. (Hot item in its day)
Set-up, or tear down consists of 4 plugs (Cables) to free the telescope of the mount, or to mount it. (12 V, 5 V, 1 USB, and 1 RJ-11) Hense, why I say Wire Less. Or Less wires.
The 1 USB (white), and RJ-11 (Guider) simply jump down to the AVX. So only the 12V (2 wires) and 5V (1 wire) actually exit the mount.

Some folks are doing a portable router for remote locations set up. Sitting in their warm car, running their mount outside, wirelessly. (I don't see me doing that, I like being home.)

So... this to get rid of what? USB cables for one. And to free up my laptop and dragging it out and back every night. But there is a caveat here, I can connect my desktop, and I can connect my laptop, and recently discovered I can even connect my phone... all at the same time. And any of the 3 can be used to run the equipment wirelessly through my (antiquated) wireless network. (Password protected, of course)
Something that held me back was, to go wireless at the mount would eliminate the visual the laptop afforded. Now, a laptop can log on to my network, connect through Vnc, and there is the mounts computers desktop.
Folks are sitting in their recliners in their living rooms, and running their mounts wirelessly. It sounded appealing to me.
Fine adjusting the focus, and doing anything I used to sitting out in my yard I will be able to do now (except filter wheel changes, and the manual adjustments of an All Star Polar Alignment) from my wireless devices. I've already been doing wireless alignments, just for fun and to experiment.

OK, so no pictures = didn't happen. The hardware:
(The out-of-place looking white USB cable is connected to the NexStar handset of my AVX)
EAA - Electronically Assisted Astronomy. My rainy ... (show quote)




Great explanation of your equipment set up & modifications to tin cans.
Really cool set up, praying for clear skies for you Sonny.
One little question: are you planning to photograph the stars & DSO or blast them with this fine looking lazer cannon ;)

regards Marc

Reply
Feb 21, 2017 11:28:22   #
SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA
 
Europa wrote:
How did you attach the powered USB?

Does the stick run your guide and imaging cameras?

Oh, and nice setup.


Velcro. The black box is the electronics and the tiny stepper motor. It is attached to a bar and bracket coming from the top side of the solid aluminum Vixen bar.
On the top side of the black project box is another strip of Velcro that holds the USB hub.
Same for the Strip computer on top of my telescope tube.
The stick computer is running the entire mount, camera's, Et All. Its been said that Velcro is the Astronomers friend. I say, "It's not just for shoes anymore."

For 4 days I started the computer and connected to it Via WiFi, then started all the programs (all in the Strip). Opened PHD2, the Orion camera studio, Stellarium, and the focuser program, and got them all running like they would be setting outside. And occasionally running a function like Slew-To in Stellarium, or running the focuser.
Then randomly operate functions, while the cameras are both running like they might be if these carn-sarned clouds ever open up.

So far, it's worked good compared to the random peculiarities before with USB cables. It just sits there with the G3 fan quietly humming away keeping the sensor cooled taking pictures, and PHD2 taking its guiding picture every second. (Caps on the tubes)
I glance over at a screen in the home office (man cave) and see the programs running and all keeps a steady beat ticking along.
I have high hopes for it now. And being able to log into the Stick computer from different computers at the same time was a nice surprise. My biggest hold back was not having visual at the mount if I wanted it. But now I do, wirelessly.
Of course, the proof is in the pudding. Sitting out back and doing actual guiding and imaging will be the next test. But all indications are it's a go.

Velcro, the next best thing to a screw.

Velcro mounting
Velcro mounting...
(Download)

Computer's Velcro mounting, too.
Computer's Velcro mounting, too....
(Download)

Reply
Feb 21, 2017 11:43:49   #
SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA
 
Marc G wrote:
Great explanation of your equipment set up & modifications to tin cans.
Really cool set up, praying for clear skies for you Sonny.
One little question: are you planning to photograph the stars & DSO or blast them with this fine looking lazer cannon ;)

regards Marc


Thank You Marc.
And Thanks for the Prayers, too.

Just pictures.
They have a saying here about our wildernesses: "Take only pictures, leave only footprints."
But Astro Imager's: "Leave no footprints, and bring back what they saw." (Or didn't see which is often the case with Nebula)

Humans. We left trash on the moon. We have trash orbiting our planet. We've shot trash into outer space. And now we want to trash Mars.
Naw, Marc, just a few pictures is all.

Reply
Feb 21, 2017 11:48:44   #
Europa Loc: West Hills, CA
 
Very nice.

If you are doing an entire night of imaging, you just copy/cut the images to your man cave computer throughout the night. I think my single image files are in the 20meg size.

This would be cool for camping, you can sit around the fire, keeping warm, with your laptop to monitoring everything.

Reply
 
 
Feb 21, 2017 14:05:35   #
SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA
 
Europa wrote:
Very nice.

If you are doing an entire night of imaging, you just copy/cut the images to your man cave computer throughout the night. I think my single image files are in the 20meg size.

This would be cool for camping, you can sit around the fire, keeping warm, with your laptop to monitoring everything.


Honestly, I just found the capability of file transfer in Tight Vnc. I did do that in Teamviewer, and it was pretty cool to bring an image in wirelessly. I could do whatever I wanted with it while the next one was cooking.

When running the laptop connected, I got use to having an SD card in its slot, or a USB thumb drive where the pictures were saved to.
Since things are running today I think I'll explore the transferring capabilities.
So far, it works like gang busters.

OK. Got to go paint. I hate to paint.

Reply
Feb 21, 2017 17:20:45   #
CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.
 
SonnyE wrote:
Honestly, I just found the capability of file transfer in Tight Vnc. I did do that in Teamviewer, and it was pretty cool to bring an image in wirelessly. I could do whatever I wanted with it while the next one was cooking.

When running the laptop connected, I got use to having an SD card in its slot, or a USB thumb drive where the pictures were saved to.
Since things are running today I think I'll explore the transferring capabilities.
So far, it works like gang busters.

OK. Got to go paint. I hate to paint.
Honestly, I just found the capability of file tran... (show quote)

I do 90% of my viewing and photography at the Observatory or on
the Mountain so I don't need the wireless remote computer setup.
But it sure sounds like a great capability. Good luck with it Sonny.
Craig

Reply
Feb 21, 2017 21:03:13   #
Europa Loc: West Hills, CA
 
Why did you choose TightVNC over TeamViewer? I know you had some issue previously with TeamViewer, but I've never had any issues myself.

Reply
Feb 22, 2017 10:17:35   #
SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA
 
Europa wrote:
Why did you choose TightVNC over TeamViewer? I know you had some issue previously with TeamViewer, but I've never had any issues myself.


For me, TeamViewer kept kicking back to its ad screen. Then I had to restart it. And it just did it arbitrarily.
It got to be a real PITA. So I went looking for an alternative and found Tight Vnc. (Odd name)
Vnc never kicked out, and it has no sales pitch.

I never thought it might have been a weak WiFi out there in the back fence of the back yard. But it could have been.
Now I have a WiFi booster plugged in the back wall of the house, and two apps on my phone to test the signal. So far it's looked good.
Now, if we could just FINALLY get some clear skies.
(I'm ready to move to Brazil.)

Anyway, it does transfer my jpg files easily. So maybe that will work out.
Don't drink the water.

Reply
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