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I've had 3 nights ina row of awesome sky
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Jan 29, 2017 11:54:27   #
stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast
 
Here's the catch, PHD2 is killing me ! I went through everything and eventully uninstalled it and re-installed it and the same warning comes up. Failed to take a 0.1 sec capture , I raised the exposure time and still getting the warning. I took the camera out and dropped it in the focuser for S&G and took some unguided images to make sure in Sharpcap. Can anyone tell what's going on with "push here dummy" , I can really use some HELP ! Overexposed for the outer areas , this shows the qhy5-ll M cam is working fine and capturing @ 2.38ms.



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Jan 29, 2017 14:04:57   #
SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA
 
Hummm...
Hard to say from across the Nation.
If the software change hasn't changed anything, I think I might try changing the USB cable to make sure there isn't a bugaboo there, and your ST-4 wire. Those are simple to check.
Otherwise, maybe something changed your settings in the program. Might want to double check that. Or corrupted a driver or file in your computers end of things, which could be impossible to find.
Is everything updated? And if so, maybe resetting to an earlier time could correct the bug. I think I would check for updates first, then try going back. I've gotten out of some sticky wickets by resetting to an earlier time.
Also I just checked my PHD2 and under the "Brain" icon, there is a reset configuration box. Maybe that can help?

I've had a few incidences where I had to reset my mounts hand control back to "Factory Settings" and it cleared up a snaffu. But I can't remember needing to do that sort of thing to get PHD2 working.
Actually, I think PHD2 has been about the most reliable thing for me. The last time it gave me grief was when I tried Sharpcap's latest version and Sharpcap's guiding "New and Improved" royally screwed with PHD2. If you are trying Sharpcap, I'd suggest you don't. I don't think it is mature enough yet for the world.

Having two computers (I think you do, too.) I try and have them both set up the same way so I can revert to my older settings when something different happens.

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Jan 30, 2017 19:28:09   #
CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.
 
stepping beyond wrote:
Here's the catch, PHD2 is killing me ! I went through everything and eventully uninstalled it and re-installed it and the same warning comes up. Failed to take a 0.1 sec capture , I raised the exposure time and still getting the warning. I took the camera out and dropped it in the focuser for S&G and took some unguided images to make sure in Sharpcap. Can anyone tell what's going on with "push here dummy" , I can really use some HELP ! Overexposed for the outer areas , this shows the qhy5-ll M cam is working fine and capturing @ 2.38ms.
Here's the catch, PHD2 is killing me ! I went thro... (show quote)

I agree with Sonny do the "reset" in the Brain and be sure you have the right specs for your camera and lens handy.
Focal length for the Lens and pixel size for the Camera. For mount choose On-Camera
Craig

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Feb 22, 2017 13:21:04   #
stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast
 
Thanks fellas, this is like Sonny says a real PITA . I even went and installed 2.6.3 phd and rotated my tube to the weighbar to compensate for the 6 ft. usb 3 cable on my newest edition lunar/planetary and dso cam and even without guiding I can capture more detail than ever before. Craig , I've done everything other than " kicking it like a can down the road". Saturday and Sunday night are supposed to be very good and I will be using firecapture to see if they conflict and Alanna told me to just get an earlier release that has had bug fixes . Sonny , I've tried 3 cords and they work with Sharpcap , it's a mystery and I'll get it figured out hopefully soon. ps SORRY FOR THE DELAY !

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Feb 22, 2017 14:39:02   #
SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA
 
No sweat on the delay, Ronnie.
So it isn't a wire (cable) problem apparently.
Dammn.
Well, it worked before, it will work again.
I believe Sharpcap gave me a PITA, so I removed it.
I think it seemed to conflict with PHD2.

But everybodies computers are a smidgen different. Sorry I can't be of more help.

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Feb 23, 2017 09:38:35   #
stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast
 
Sonny, I'm also trying to get Starry night SOE to slew to the target. I've got a lot going on and trying to get everything working since rotating the tube .It just takes time and a ton of patience to get it too full potential. I've tested to find the full well settings not to over or under sample photons for 3 nights on different targets, taking advantage of all those photons. I hope to get everything figured out and start really capturing some photons real soon. Thanks fellas

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Feb 23, 2017 18:34:11   #
stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast
 
The "Gods" are pleased tonight is going to be a go. I might as well give it another go it's only going to be fair.

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Mar 15, 2017 07:05:45   #
nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina
 
stepping beyond wrote:
Here's the catch, PHD2 is killing me ! I went through everything and eventully uninstalled it and re-installed it and the same warning comes up. Failed to take a 0.1 sec capture , I raised the exposure time and still getting the warning. I took the camera out and dropped it in the focuser for S&G and took some unguided images to make sure in Sharpcap. Can anyone tell what's going on with "push here dummy" , I can really use some HELP ! Overexposed for the outer areas , this shows the qhy5-ll M cam is working fine and capturing @ 2.38ms.
Here's the catch, PHD2 is killing me ! I went thro... (show quote)


When you connect your mount - camera in PhD - do you see that the camera is connected - look at the lower bar to the right? Have you set your camera settings correctly in PhD2. Also, why are you taking a .1 sec capture? Not either of my guide cameras would render an image with a S/N ratio that it could guide on.....that is not the problem, just a question. I expose for at least 1 second most of the time. I either guid with an Orion Starshooter - or ASI120MM camera. When setting up your camera's profile, have you picked the correct driver from the choices?

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Mar 15, 2017 07:59:48   #
stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast
 
NS, I was out Mar. 5th &8th before we got hit with the Winter blast of cold and I found that the guide scope and camera must've been bumped . They were both out of alignment , I re-aligned and that worked . I've got to get my focus tighter, stars are still bloated in my 15s subs. I'm working with a new camera on my main scope and I've got more to figure out to get it framed correctly in the main scope and guiding. My alignment hasn't been great and that's keeping me from guiding, it's just too darn cold and windy out there. Thanks for your input, Ronnie



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Mar 15, 2017 08:11:17   #
nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina
 
stepping beyond wrote:
NS, I was out Mar. 5th &8th before we got hit with the Winter blast of cold and I found that the guide scope and camera must've been bumped . They were both out of alignment , I re-aligned and that worked . I've got to get my focus tighter, stars are still bloated in my 15s subs. I'm working with a new camera on my main scope and I've got more to figure out to get it framed correctly in the main scope and guiding. My alignment hasn't been great and that's keeping me from guiding, it's just too darn cold and windy out there. Thanks for your input, Ronnie
NS, I was out Mar. 5th &8th before we got hit ... (show quote)


I use two programs depending on which camera/mount/scope I am using. If I use a DSLR to image - I use astrotortilla to plate solve. If I use a CCD camera, I use Sequence Generator Pro, which together using Pinpoint, can do a plate solve. I strongly recommend that everyone that wants to image the sky stop wasting time doing alignments. They are aggravating, rarely precise even when you get a good 5 star alignment model. I haven't done an alignment in so long I would have to re-read the directions on how to do one.

If you add the free astrotortilla software - all you have to do is use your sky software as in "Stellarium" or my favorite "Cartes Du Ciel" and slew to your target. Then open Astrotortilla if it is not already open and run. Your target will be centered within the tolerance you set....for example, 5 arc seconds. No alignments, not time spent looking through a finder (in fact, remove the finder scope and lighten the load) If you use Sequence Generator Pro (not free but worth every penny) the software will plate solve (center your target) as well as manage your capture sequences.

The only one missing piece you will need to know to do this is your camera's pixel scale. This is easy to figure out by going to this website, entering your camera and your scopes FL. Walla!

https://astronomy.tools/calculators/ccd_suitability

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Mar 15, 2017 08:51:12   #
stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast
 
NS, I've been using the drift alignment method lately . I can't seem to get my ps aligned correct do to cervical damage . I'm interested in learning a better way and this darn Northeaster has put the Kabash on any astronomy fun. I've got astrotortilla but, I've got to learn its functionality. I downloaded the free trial of SGP and haven't had much progress using it but, nebulosity 4 works pretty easy. I'm just trying to find a software that I can work with. I 'm using Sharpcap 2.9 I like the "live stacking" and it's got an exposure control that goes only to 5 sec and that is one more slider to mess with , I've used MaximDL with my ccd cameras and I could manage to image with it , you just set you info and forget it.$99 for SGP is do-able , I've got to learn how to use it first ?

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Mar 15, 2017 11:28:02   #
nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina
 
stepping beyond wrote:
NS, I've been using the drift alignment method lately . I can't seem to get my ps aligned correct do to cervical damage . I'm interested in learning a better way and this darn Northeaster has put the Kabash on any astronomy fun. I've got astrotortilla but, I've got to learn its functionality. I downloaded the free trial of SGP and haven't had much progress using it but, nebulosity 4 works pretty easy. I'm just trying to find a software that I can work with. I 'm using Sharpcap 2.9 I like the "live stacking" and it's got an exposure control that goes only to 5 sec and that is one more slider to mess with , I've used MaximDL with my ccd cameras and I could manage to image with it , you just set you info and forget it.$99 for SGP is do-able , I've got to learn how to use it first ?
NS, I've been using the drift alignment method la... (show quote)


Are you using PhD2 to do your drift...if not I recommend using it.

I am a very "non techy" type person - VERY. Astrotortrilla was a bit of a struggle to setup.....but once it dawned on me all that was needed. Bingo. It replaces the need to ever do an alignment. Slew to a target - when you boot up Astortillia - it pulls the info from your sky software, like Stellarium.....so it knows where it is suppose to be pointing. Then astrotortilla takes a picture of the sky and using it's library of stars moves your scope to center the target. It may take a minute or so to do the SOLVE but it works like a charm. You will need to add your "kits"s FOV - Pixel Scale but once you have that. Your kit is on point. Now, polar alignment is another issue. For me, I solved that by buying POLEMASTER. This is a QHY scope that fits where your polar scope goes - slides in and easily attaches. ...and together with software will PA your kit to arc second errors. No more getting on my knees looking for polarus. Just sit in front of a laptop and make the needed adjustments to the mount when instructed to do so. Easy peasy! Now, Sequence Generator Pro requires that you find your kit's Pixel Scale too. I would recommend downloading the UCAPS catalogs and using PLATE SOLVE2 for your solver, and ASTRONOMY.NET for blind solving. PLATE SOLVE2 is free and works every time. I also use PinPoint for Platesolving in SGP but it fails to solve 1 out of 5 times.....which then kicks in the BLIND SOLVER. You need a WIFI connection to BLIND SOLVE using Astronomy.net REMOTE. For that reason I downloaded all of the catalogs so I could solve without WIFI. Part of the fun is in the learning - figuring out...and getting stuff working. At least for me. Good luck!

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Mar 16, 2017 09:34:01   #
stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast
 
Thanks for the info NS, I use phd2.9 and used the 2.10 trial till Feb. 23 , I really liked 2.10 but, it's still in beta testing. Push Here Dummy was hard at first but, I did achieve a soft curved line on both axis after plenty of aggravating nights of frustration. The dec. had to be up in the upper 5000's it was smooth sailing after that with a awesome alignment. Since getting my new addition main camera , I need to find my mojo and It's just too cold to be sitting out at the mount trying to get things right , I prefer on these cold nights to be inside in the warmth with Tv12 taking the helm . Warmup is on the way and if I decide to get SGP , can I count on your help? I just reinstalled SGP {trials over}I forgot my password but, when I get out again , I'll give it a go again. I've seen the pole master on the QHYCCD website when I was comparing cams . That's a lighter more compact guiding system , I'm already pushing over the imaging limit with the lxd55 and 8 in. astrograph. For the cost , I get it balanced and it "SINGS", it's all about the balance for that Meade. I would love to get the Celestron CXX 55# payload and no external wires or the Orion Atlas 45# but, that's down the road a couple miles.

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Mar 16, 2017 09:39:15   #
nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina
 
I would be glad to help you get SGP up and running! Before you buy SGP, I feel certain it will work, but I would check with Jared to see if your camera will connect. I had to download a driver for ASI1600MM and Atik383L but they along with my Nikons are all supported. Just make double sure your driver for your camera loads and you can connect to SGP. Other than that the only nuisance issues is with getting plate solving catalog files downloaded to the right directory so SGP can locate and solve. You have options - my advice is PlateSolve2 and Astronomy.net for blind solve roleover (this kicks in if your Platesolve2 fails)

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Mar 16, 2017 10:19:44   #
stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast
 
NS ,Who's Jared and where did you download the driver for the zwo 1600, I've got the L/P/Dso 174MM cooled , I received a sm. disc with the driver and amcap on it when I received the camera. Is there another driver because some software doesn't recognize the camera at all.

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