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  #401  
Old 16-07-2013, 04:15 PM
PeterHA (Peter)
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RJ45 Extension cable

All,
Does a RJ45 black spiral extension cable exist? I would like to extend existing encoders cables which end in a 8p8c RJ45 connectore by about 0.5-1m to connect to AN. Best would be a spiral cable and preferably in black.
Does this exist? If not, how have other extended such cables without making a complete new cable set?
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  #402  
Old 16-07-2013, 05:07 PM
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Steffen
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Not sure about extensions, but maybe Captain Curly Cords can help

Cheers
Steffen.
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  #403  
Old 16-07-2013, 10:59 PM
gary
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PeterHA View Post
All,
Does a RJ45 black spiral extension cable exist? I would like to extend existing encoders cables which end in a 8p8c RJ45 connectore by about 0.5-1m to connect to AN. Best would be a spiral cable and preferably in black.
Does this exist? If not, how have other extended such cables without making a complete new cable set?
Hi Peter,

First thanks to Steffen for the link and there are also other suppliers in Australia who
stock 8 conductor curly cable, such as Access Communications in Chatswood.

You can join two cables with an RJ-45 to RJ-45 inline coupler such as this one -
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=YT6080

Care needs to be taken to ensure that the signal assignments remain the same
end to end.

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
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  #404  
Old 02-08-2013, 08:00 PM
gary
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Argo Navis on Goethe Link Observatory 36"

Argo Navis is most commonly deployed on brand new telescopes but now and then
we have customers who deploy it on older scopes which then helps bring new
life to them.

One such telescope is a 36" f/5 folded Cassegrain owned by Indiana University
and operated by the Indiana Astronomical Society at the Goethe Link Observatory,
the mirror of which was the test pour from the Corning Glass Works in Chicago for
the 200" Palomar in the 1930's.

This telescope weighs over 2,260kg and the concrete pier extends into
solid bed rock and weighs 181,400kg. That's 200 tons in the imperial system.
The shutters themselves weigh an imperial ton.

Here is a 5 minute YouTube that features a visit to the telescope to
give you a sense of the size of this beast -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqQAh82lrq0

Bruce Bowman posted the following on the Argo Navis User's Group today
and many of you may have seen it. For Argo Navis owners who did not, I
quote Bruce directly below.

We thank Bruce for his support and that of the Indiana Astronomical Society.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Phone +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au


Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce Bowman
Gary --

I wanted to take a moment to provide some follow-up on the retrofitting of our
old scope with an Argo Navis. You may recall the primary blank for this 36"
scope was a test pour at Corning Glass Works in Chicago for the 200" at Palomar
way back in the 1930s.

We ran into some issues with the initial digital setting circle project 11 years
ago and -- frankly -- the whole idea was shelved for way too long. After I came
along and tried to resurrect the project we eventually decided to purchase an
Argo Navis and forego using a bbox with [vendor redacted] software to achieve an
alignment.

Despite some initial glitches (related to long encoder cable runs that really
couldn't be avoided), the Argo Navis has been working like a champ for some time
now. As a DIRECT RESULT of not only our purchase, but also your responsiveness
in this Yahoo group regarding my various troubleshooting queries, the scope has
received more use in the last 12 months than it did in the previous 12 years.

And frankly, you've made me a minor hero in this small pond called the Indiana
Astronomical Society.

Thank you thank you thank you for your help with this. Needless to say, when I
decided to retrofit my 25-year-old, 13" Dobsonian with DSCs you were the first
one I thought of.

I am NOT one to gush over a vendor; but if anyone here is waffling over what to
buy, they cannot do better than your product. Post this on your web site.

Sincerely,
Bruce Bowman
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  #405  
Old 21-08-2013, 10:45 PM
gary
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Wildcard Innovations vacation break 22 Sep - 31 Sep 2013

The Wildcard Innovations team is taking a vacation from 22nd August
to 31st August 2013 inclusive.

As we will be driving up the Cape York Peninsula and as Australian readers
will appreciate, during this time we will be largely outside the reception range
of mobile telephone and Internet communication and so we will be unable to receive
your messages whilst away and we will be unable to respond.

However, we will respond in full to your communications when
we return to the office on Monday 2 September 2013.

We welcome any orders you may place on our online web site store,
however, you will not receive an email verification of your
order until 2nd Sept 2013 and items will not ship until the
week starting 2nd Sept 2013.

We thank everyone for their continued support and we look forward
to "seeing" you all again when we return from our short adventure.

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
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  #406  
Old 21-08-2013, 10:58 PM
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astroron (Ron)
Supernova Searcher

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Quote:
Originally Posted by gary View Post
The Wildcard Innovations team is taking a vacation from 22nd August
to 31st August 2013 inclusive.

As we will be driving up the Cape York Peninsula and as Australian readers
will appreciate, during this time we will be largely outside the reception range
of mobile telephone and Internet communication and so we will be unable to receive
your messages whilst away and we will be unable to respond.

However, we will respond in full to your communications when
we return to the office on Monday 2 September 2013.

We welcome any orders you may place on our online web site store,
however, you will not receive an email verification of your
order until 2nd Sept 2013 and items will not ship until the
week starting 2nd Sept 2013.

We thank everyone for their continued support and we look forward
to "seeing" you all again when we return from our short adventure.

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
Have a great trip Gary and Mia
Catch ya when you get back.
If you're passing the Sunshine coast on your way home give me a tinkle.
Cheers
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  #407  
Old 21-08-2013, 11:11 PM
gary
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Quote:
Originally Posted by astroron View Post
Have a great trip Gary and Mia
Catch ya when you get back.
If you're passing the Sunshine coast on your way home give me a tinkle.
Cheers
Thank you Ron!

It is midnight now and I should be catching some shut-eye. We are getting up
at 3am for an early flight to Cairns, then picking up a 4WD there and driving
up Cape York and back.

But we will wave out the plane as we pass over Cambroon in a few hours from now.
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  #408  
Old 21-08-2013, 11:30 PM
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astroron (Ron)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gary View Post
Thank you Ron!

It is midnight now and I should be catching some shut-eye. We are getting up
at 3am for an early flight to Cairns, then picking up a 4WD there and driving
up Cape York and back.

But we will wave out the plane as we pass over Cambroon in a few hours from now.
I'll keep an ear open for your plane passing over head
Cheers
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  #409  
Old 23-08-2013, 11:23 AM
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gaa_ian (Ian)
1300 THESKY

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Quote:
Originally Posted by gary View Post
The Wildcard Innovations team is taking a vacation from 22nd August
to 31st August 2013 inclusive.

As we will be driving up the Cape York Peninsula and as Australian readers
will appreciate, during this time we will be largely outside the reception range
of mobile telephone and Internet communication and so we will be unable to receive
your messages whilst away and we will be unable to respond.

However, we will respond in full to your communications when
we return to the office on Monday 2 September 2013.

We welcome any orders you may place on our online web site store,
however, you will not receive an email verification of your
order until 2nd Sept 2013 and items will not ship until the
week starting 2nd Sept 2013.

We thank everyone for their continued support and we look forward
to "seeing" you all again when we return from our short adventure.

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
Hope you guys have a great trip & have stashed a travel scope with you to enjoy the no doubt clear skies of Cape York ! We have been getting some good observing in the Far North of Late !
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  #410  
Old 02-09-2013, 10:03 PM
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Marcus10 (Marcus)
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Just to add to this thread, I'm also a very happy Argo customer. I installed Argo around 2 years ago and have to say that it is a great tool. Gary is also the BEST at customer service and helped me through my installation and gave me some great tips on usage.

If you're time poor and want to crank through some observations and also don't want to spend 10 minutes starhopping to an obscure part of a constellation many degrees from the nearest bright star, Argo is the way to go. It has some great catalogues and has really helped me view many objects I probably otherwise wouldn't have.

Mode Tour is also a great feature. I love the ability to be able to hone in on certain objects and certain types e.g. with Argo you have a glob night, a galaxy night - whatever you want.

It's not a total substitute for star hopping as I believe this method really helps you find your way around the sky and its objects. Just using Argo is a bit like having a guide take you to a particular location without ever learning the way yourself. However, if you are time poor or working with a specific objective, or simply don't want to spend half your night star hopping - it's the way to go.
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  #411  
Old 03-09-2013, 09:35 PM
gary
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Marcus10 View Post
Just to add to this thread, I'm also a very happy Argo customer. I installed Argo around 2 years ago and have to say that it is a great tool. Gary is also the BEST at customer service and helped me through my installation and gave me some great tips on usage.

If you're time poor and want to crank through some observations and also don't want to spend 10 minutes starhopping to an obscure part of a constellation many degrees from the nearest bright star, Argo is the way to go. It has some great catalogues and has really helped me view many objects I probably otherwise wouldn't have.

Mode Tour is also a great feature. I love the ability to be able to hone in on certain objects and certain types e.g. with Argo you have a glob night, a galaxy night - whatever you want.

It's not a total substitute for star hopping as I believe this method really helps you find your way around the sky and its objects. Just using Argo is a bit like having a guide take you to a particular location without ever learning the way yourself. However, if you are time poor or working with a specific objective, or simply don't want to spend half your night star hopping - it's the way to go.
Hi Marcus,

Thank you very much for your kind words.

We really appreciate your support and thank you so much for taking the time
to describe how you use your Argo Navis to make your observing time more productive.

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
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  #412  
Old 03-09-2013, 09:41 PM
gary
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gaa_ian View Post
Hope you guys have a great trip & have stashed a travel scope with you to enjoy the no doubt clear skies of Cape York ! We have been getting some good observing in the Far North of Late !
Thank you Ian!

We had a wonderful trip. We packed a pair of binoculars and we had some clear nights.
It was a nice change to watch the constellations from 10.6° S latitude.

When bush camping the light of the rising Moon was actually welcome for once.
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  #413  
Old 05-09-2013, 12:00 AM
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Curt
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Just got my Argo about 3 weeks ago. As usual clouds rolled in on the first week. Nothing new there. Went back to work for a week. Finnally come home and clouds again. Tonight was the first night l got to use the Argo.
What can l say. After a bit of initial confusion on my part l had it crankin around the skies. I have observed more objects in 3 hours than l have all year. I must admit l didn't look into much detail whilst observing as l kept on spinning the dial looking at more things to see. I'm so happy. I even made up a new base for the lightbridge to go with the Argo. Observing time just got a lot easier.
So back to work tomorrow for another week. Wish l could take it with me.
Thanks to Gary for a easy purchase. Also sn1987a ( Barry) for helping me out as well.
Thanks Curt.
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  #414  
Old 05-09-2013, 11:58 AM
gary
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Curt View Post
Just got my Argo about 3 weeks ago. As usual clouds rolled in on the first week. Nothing new there. Went back to work for a week. Finnally come home and clouds again. Tonight was the first night l got to use the Argo.
What can l say. After a bit of initial confusion on my part l had it crankin around the skies. I have observed more objects in 3 hours than l have all year. I must admit l didn't look into much detail whilst observing as l kept on spinning the dial looking at more things to see. I'm so happy. I even made up a new base for the lightbridge to go with the Argo. Observing time just got a lot easier.
So back to work tomorrow for another week. Wish l could take it with me.
Thanks to Gary for a easy purchase. Also sn1987a ( Barry) for helping me out as well.
Thanks Curt.
Hi Curt,

Thanks for the post. These are the stories we love to hear!

All the best for the many nights ahead.

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
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  #415  
Old 09-09-2013, 09:10 PM
gary
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Argo Navis manufacturing

Below is a snapshot I took last month on the factory floor of our contract
manufacturer who performs the manufacturing of the Argo Navis.

This factory is located in the western suburbs of Sydney.

Printed circuit boards pass along conveyor belts first into a series of
machines that perform robotic pick and place operations.

The machines operate with incredible speed and precision and are always
fascinating to watch.

Once the circuit boards are loaded with parts, they pass through infrared ovens
that perform a reflow soldering operation.

Wildcard Innovations are proud of the fact that Argo Navis is manufactured here in
Australia by Australian workers in a state-of-the-art, quality assurance certified,
manufacturing facility.

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
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  #416  
Old 09-09-2013, 09:35 PM
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astroron (Ron)
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Wow that is a very clean place.
My ARGO NAVIS has been going for about Ten Years, that shows that Good Old Aussie brains and workmanship can come together to make a fine robust product .
Thanks Gary and Mia for a great astronomical tool
Cheers
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  #417  
Old 09-09-2013, 10:55 PM
gary
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Quote:
Originally Posted by astroron View Post
Wow that is a very clean place.
You are not allowed to bring food in there, but if you could, it is clean
enough that you could probably eat it off the floor.

When you enter the facility you need to be wearing antistatic heel straps
to prevent the potential harmful buildup of static electricity which might otherwise
damage semiconductors.

The facility employs a lot of woman, many of them bringing home that
second pay packet that can make a significant difference to many families.
It is a fact I am particularly proud of.

Quote:
My ARGO NAVIS has been going for about Ten Years, that shows that Good Old Aussie brains and workmanship can come together to make a fine robust product .
Thanks Gary and Mia for a great astronomical tool
Cheers
Thanks Ron. We really appreciate your support.

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
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  #418  
Old 25-09-2013, 10:29 PM
gary
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Argo Navis on a LightBridge 10"

A French customer, Roger, forwarded me a couple of pictures of his Argo Navis
installation on his LightBridge 10".

Merci Roger!

We supplied Roger with the Argo Navis, encoders and hardware kit and Par Avion
shipping time from Sydney to the Auvergne region in the heart of France
was only 6 days.

A French translation of the Argo Navis User Manual is available online here -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com....goman10_FR.pdf

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
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  #419  
Old 03-10-2013, 06:26 PM
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The Mekon (John Briggs)
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My Argo Navis was “inherited” when I was lucky enough to buy a used SDM.
At the time of purchase I did not give much thought to the GoTo system, but after the first viewing it was apparent that this system is something special. There is just no comparison to my other system that drives the EQ6 for my refractor. Unless you have a clear all round horizon, setting up the EQ6 is a three star pain. The Argo is a snip using just two stars you want to choose, not the machine! Additionally the Argo has in its database all the stars I need to go double spotting, while the EQ6 has just half a dozen of its own choosing.
But I have found something odd;
Last night I was observing particularly in Grus and the constellations to the south. After the serious double star and galaxy viewing, to cap the night off I spun the dial to “popular deep sky” The usual suspects were there, 47 Tuc, Helix etc., I then came across “ Southern Integral Sign” – having not heard of this before I was a bit curious as to how a magnificent southern object had escaped my notice. I slewed the scope to its position and ….. nothing. Went to description – Mag 15.3 Galaxy in Indus???? Gary just why is this object on this list? Description also states IC 5173. Googling an image showed a galaxy shaped like the integral sign, but really “popular deep sky”? Is this a fun object just to vex people like me?
Aside from this, I have to thank Gary for assisting me fine tune the Argo at the SPSP, a great product with terrific support
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  #420  
Old 07-10-2013, 09:46 PM
gary
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Hi John,

Thanks for the post.

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Mekon View Post
Last night I was observing particularly in Grus and the constellations to the south. After the serious double star and galaxy viewing, to cap the night off I spun the dial to “popular deep sky” The usual suspects were there, 47 Tuc, Helix etc., I then came across “ Southern Integral Sign” – having not heard of this before I was a bit curious as to how a magnificent southern object had escaped my notice. I slewed the scope to its position and ….. nothing. Went to description – Mag 15.3 Galaxy in Indus???? Gary just why is this object on this list? Description also states IC 5173. Googling an image showed a galaxy shaped like the integral sign, but really “popular deep sky”? Is this a fun object just to vex people like me?
Possibly a better name might have been "nicknamed objects".

Another example is Papillon, which is IC 708. Visually, this 14th mag. galaxy does
not look like a butterfly at all but was so named by radioastronomers because it
has two strands stretching from it at radio wavelengths.
See http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/f...6A....77..183V

Quote:
Aside from this, I have to thank Gary for assisting me fine tune the Argo at the SPSP, a great product with terrific support
Thank you John. You are more than welcome and we appreciate your support.

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
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