[DavidLJ (David)]

Many thanks to one and all who have so generously given of their time and knowledge in replying to my query. This is truly a great forum. As previously mentioned, I have little ability when it comes to the technical side of computers so the following musings may be quite wrong. But if so no doubt someone will correct me.

From past experience I assume that the laptop can link wirelessly to just one IP address at a time. So if that link is made to a single purpose device such as a mount controller it would seem that it cannot simultaneously link to a different device such as the camera even if the camera had direct WiFi connectivity (which it doesn't). So to be able to use the laptop to wirelessly control both the mount and the camera at the same time it seems that the single WiFi link must bridge the gap between either :

1. the laptop (running the two control programs for mount and camera) and some other WiFi unit at the telescope to which the both the mount hand control and the camera are connected, or
2. the laptop monitoring and interacting (say via TeamViewer) with a separate computer at the telescope which runs the two control programs there.

On that basis :

Philip : The Intel NUC does seem to be one solution (see 2 above) save that I don't see how TeamViewer could be used since the Intel NUC would not have a screen to monitor. Also it ends up as being quite pricey. The cheapest unit seems to be just over $200 but by the time that Win10 has been added the cost jumps considerably. And as it probably uses mains power, for field use the additional cost of a 12v to 240v inverter needs to be added. Nevertheless, maybe a possibility.

Damien : Although nicely priced at $24, the Hi-link HLK-RM04 Serial-Wifi-Ethernet Wifi Module RS232/RS485 Module+Antenna, being a single purpose solution for controlling the mount, does seem to rule out the simultaneous use of the laptop's WiFi connection for camera control. But maybe using the IOGEAR Wireless 4-Port USB Sharing Station instead would allow for that simultaneous use through that device's USB port connections to both the SynScan hand control and the camera? I have written to IOGEAR to ask but have not yet had a reply.

Brenton : The Nexus unit looks great but seems to rule out wireless control of the camera.

Dunk : The new SkyWatcher WiFi dongle is interesting but it doesn't presently seem to work with Win10 on the laptop.

I have found another possibility (maybe?). StellarMate Gadget (https://www.stellarmate.com/) was released very recently. I have written to them using their website Contact form asking if it is suitable for what I want but as yet have received no reply.