Resolved SC-2 OAG Shakedown

I just got my new SC-2 connected to the STF-8300 (thanks to Colin for getting the reworked filter wheel spacer to me) and started integrating it into my rig. First off, I opted to use The SkyX Pro for camera control, so I started there. (I have Maxim DL so will try it there too later.) No problem connecting the software to the OAG once I selected the correct camera in TSX. They haven’t added the SC OAGs there yet, but for the record, “SBIG Imager’s built-in autoguider” seems to work fine.

I thought I’d try a test auto guide session, just to see if the STF-8300 and the OAG would work together. I did this in my basement, so there were no real stars. I selected a random spot in an image from the OAG, but had to calibrate x and y “relays” to the mount’s motors (a Paramount MyT) before proceeding. The calibration routine cranked for a while but failed because the calibration time (5 seconds) was “too small.” Attached is the graph the cal routine provides. I know this isn’t a Software Bisque forum, but wonder if anyone thinks this failure might be because I’m not doing it on the sky, with an actual star that would be moving as the Earth rotates? And I’m connecting the guider port of the SC-2 to the mount’s guider port. Is this correct?

Regardless, my overall impression of the SC-2 is very favorable.

Thanks.

Steve

 

It appears I had a false success earlier. I was using the “built in guider” option in STX Pro, but it appears that only connected to the STF-8300, so wasn’t even using the SC-2. I can’t connect using ASCOM either (an error that I can’t recall now). So, I decided to go to Maxim DL but I can’t connect to the SC-2 there either. I plugged the USB cable directly from the SC-2 to my computer just to simplify things in the basement, where I'd setting things up, but I would normally connect the USB to the MyT's built-in USB hub. Would that be a problem? Does the SC-2 need to be connected to the computer directly?

In Camera Control, I attempted to setup Camera 2, but the SC-2 is not recognized. In the "Setup DL Imaging" window I selected "DL Imaging" for the camera, and "Pick Camera" for the other camera setting. Under Advanced, there is nothing in the Camera Info fields Serial No., etc.). I can connect to the STF-8300 here, but I get the attached error when it tries to connect to the SC-2. Again, no serial number, and I can't enter the serial number manually. I attempted to register the SC-2 today, thinking that might help.

Thanks for any guidance you can provide.

Steve

 

Thanks! I don’t know what I did differently, but it’s working now. And I’m connecting via the mount’s USB hub too, so that answers that question.

In this configuration should I use the ST-4 cable from the SC-2 to the mount, or will guide commands go via USB?

Next challenge: to get it to work with STX Pro.

For the rest, I think I need to get an actual star on the sensor to calibrate and continue my climb up the learning curve.

Thanks again.

Steve

 

Doug,

That makes perfect sense. Just waiting for some decent weather here. Thanks.

Steve

 

Colin, Doug,

So far, no help from Software Bisque on the com port problem I’m having trying connect via ASCOM in TSX Pro. They seem preoccupied with launching their new website. . I’m not a computer whiz, but could it be a Windows 10 issue? Or is it a ASCOM problem? I ran the ASCOM diagnostic routine and passed all the tests.

Steve

 

Colin,

That would be great. I don’t have any of those remote access apps, unless one is part of Windows 10. Can you recommend one, free preferably? I’m free tomorrow (Sat) pretty much all day, and I’ll be free Monday afternoon after 4 pm (EDT) also.

Thanks.

Steve

 

Colin, I got AnyDesk installed. ID: greco_observatory_va@ad. I can send you the password off line.

 

Hi, Colin. Saturday ended up being busy for me too. Could we schedule an afternoon this week? Any day but Friday, after 4 pm, if possible, would work.

Thanks.

Steve

 

Colin,

Here’s the error I get. There’s also a “206” error that seems to happen also. Thanks.

Steve

 

Yes, I have AnyDesk. The ID is greco_observatory_va@ad.

 

Thanks again, Colin! Can’t wait to get some starlight on it now.