Quote:
Originally Posted by GC - South Aus
I have been trying to get the Argo Navis, with my 20000 tic encoders, connected to the Orion StarSeek (i.e. SkyFi equivalent) and then to my iPad running SkySafari Plus.
I just can't get Skyfi and the Argo Navis to connect.
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Hi GC,
I just noticed your post from October here in the ATM & DIY section.
What serial cable are you using to interface between the Argo Navis
and the StarSeek?
The reason I ask is though serial cables can look physically similar,
they are not necessarily wired internally the same way.
At the end of the day, the pin assignments for the Argo Navis serial
port (as described in Appendix C of the User Manual) have to connect
to the correctly corresponding pins on the end that plugs into the Starseek.
Since there are a handful of wiring permutations, the odds of some
serial cable that may work between one telescope controller and
Starseek working with some other telescope controller and Starseek
are slim.
Even the plugs on either end of the cable can be crimped on two different ways.
The Orion Starseek is actually manufactured by the same people who manufacture SkyFi
who also happen to be the same people behind Sky Safari.
Newer SkyFi boxes have a DB-9 interface. I will assume your Starseek box just has
an RJ socket, like the original SkyFi.
We use 6P4C (6 position 4 connections) plus and designate the socket
pin assignments 1 through 4.
Looking at the sockets with the tab on the bottom, the pin assignments
run left-to-right 1 through 4.
If you have a multimeter (all ATM's should own a multimeter
)
ensure that there is continuity between the pins on your cable as
follows :-
Code:
Starseek Argo Navis
1 2
2 4
3 3
4 1
If you don't want to make your own cable, we also sell them.
Argo Navis supports multiple telescope protocols but the ubiquitous
Meade LX-200 is a good choice.
Do not check the Set Time and Location box.
On the Sky Safari side, set the scope to to Meade LX-200 Classic.
Select Alt-Az GOTO rather than PUSHTO (even though you are using PUSHTO)
as the GOTO setting will allow you to download object coordinates
to the Argo Navis FROM PLANETRARIUM pseudo catalog entry.
Set the communications rate at 9600. As the original Meade LX-200
ran at 9600 Baud, many planetarium programs assume that if you
are running Meade protocol the Baud rate is 9600.
The port setting of 4030 is correct for the Starseek but it is not
something the Argo Navis cares about. The Starseek is communicating
over TCP port 4030 on WiFi and is listening out on that port, so that
is what you should have set on the Sky Safari set up.
Auto Connect is fine to use.
On the Argo Navis side, for the appropriate serial port, set the BAUD rate
as 9600 and the STARTUP as "meade". When changing the STARTUP
command, be sure to press ENTER or EXIT to save the change and then
power the unit OFF and ON so the new STARTUP command starts.
When connecting, Argo Navis should be powered on but does not need to
be aligned. It will start communicating a default position even before
it is aligned.
When the two connect, Sky Safari will draw the bulls-eye on the screen
indicating the scope position.
You can also select an object on Sky Safari, perform a 'GOTO' and the
Argo Navis FROM PLANETARIUM position will be filled and you can
manually push to the target as indicated by the guide numbers.
As mentioned, we also sell serial cables, so email if you need one.
And do not hesitate to email or telephone during business hours.
As I don't necessarily see all posts in all forums, the best way to
get support is to reach out to us.
Best Regards
Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place
Mount Kuring-Gai NSW 2080
Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au