ascom, eqmod and the sky 6 pro

[jimmer]

Hello everyone I am new to all the software and I am really really struggling to set up the ascom, eqmod with the sky 6 pro. First I have a comport now for the HitecAstro EQDIR adapter which took me a week to get a com port on my computer!!! Next I had to find the api software, which I have now got (I think) so to set it up with the sky 6 well I got to the next step in the box I put api pressed settings and I finaly got the ascom box up BUT no ascom eqmod (I think thats the one I want) to choose NOW I am stuck and really tired?:eyepop: Please help in simple terms. I think I need some more software? Thank you :welcome:

[alistairsam]

Hi,

I presume you've installed the ascom platform as you're getting the scope selection box.
you would also need to install eqascom from this link
http://sourceforge.net/projects/eq-mod/files/EQASCOM/
http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/
Once you install that, you should get the choice for eqmod ascom 5/6 in the list of scopes.
else I'd suggest reinstalling the ascom software.

[Nico13]

Once you have selected your mount in thesky6 and connected the ASCOM software will launch, I don't think you can run the EQMOD interface without running through your main software eg Thesky6 or similar as EQMOD is just a client of the other.
Not sure if I have my terminology correct there but you should get what I mean.

So launch Thesky6
Select telescope setup
Select Telescope API from the drop down menu
Then select the settings button
Select EQMOD ASCOM EQ5/6 from the drop down menu
Then select the properties button to the right and EQMOD setup window will open.
Top left of that window should show "Mount type Synta"
Down the left of the EQMOD setup window you will see "Port details"
You will also see a COM port selected eg "COM3"
If when you go back to thesky6 and try to connect and fail you may need to go back and change the com port number to 4 or try 1 and 2 until it connects.

See how you go with that. :thumbsup:

[Nico13]

Hi Jim,
Here is the info you asked for in your PM, others may find it useful as well.

As a relative new comer to TheSky6 myself I’m still learning as well but this will help you Jim, others please feel free to chime in with corrections or additional help.

Star Align with TheSky6 is not just a two or three star alignment process although it can be as few or as many as you like.
For improved alignment over a nights work if you are moving around a lot there is the option of continuous star synchronisation as you go.
As with all alignment the better your physical polar alignment is the better this will work as there will be less error corrections needed to be made by the software.

So once your happy that the software is running ok and driving the mount proceed as follows.

I find a good practice is to power everything up with the mount in its Home/Park position and once you have connected through TheSky6 to the mount the EQMOD window will open.
In the EQMOD window if the mount is already PARKED, EQMOD should show UNPARK at the bottom of the window.
Or PARK to Home Position if the mount is not PARKED.

Whatever the position it’s a good check to park the mount and then unpark to ensure the home position is correct, the mount should not move from its home position when doing this.

The Star Alignment process is then a simple matter of selecting a star in TheSky6 display, lets say the South East like “A”CRUX if it’s out that way and the general info window pop up, at the bottom left select the four arrows icon to centre your selection and then across to the right of that info window select the slew button.

When the mount has slewed to the new position there will be some small error in pointing so you will need to centre the star in the eye piece as with normal alignment with the Synscan hand piece.

NOTE:- This can be tricky without the hand controller you will need to drive the mount from the computer so if your guide camera is aligned with the scope you can see when it’s centred, the other option is to get you lovely assistant (read wife :P etc) to help while looking through the eye piece.
Option three is a wireless hand controller eg a game pad, see the EQMOD site for info.
To register this correction and you will see on screen the difference between where you are currently pointing and where the computer thinks you are pointing, go back to the info window in TheSky6 and select the “Telescope” tab at the right hand end and in that window on the centre left is a “SYNC” button, hit that, TheSky6 will ask for confirmation if I remember correctly.

By hitting the sync button it will cause the two points to align so your sky map now aligns with the mount for that point.

The process then repeats itself for each star you go to so by selecting a further star in the North East and then across the Meridian to west side for a third.
Don’t stop there though as each point you goto can be synced the same way increasing you accuracy each time.

If you only intend working in one area of sky for the night then a two or three star around that area is good. This is where packing up your gear at the end of each session is a bugger as you have to do it all again next time. Not bad though as it doesn’t take long.

Hope this has helped you Jim, let us know how you go. :thumbsup:


Regards.