Thread: Remote control
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Old 23-09-2017, 12:28 PM
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DavidLJ (David)
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Sydney
Posts: 122
Just a short update to close off this thread.

My sincere thanks to all who have replied giving of their time and expertise.

I never did get a reply from the Wireless 4-Port USB Sharing Station people.

At this stage, and not wanting to spend a lot of money on the matter, I've decided to compromise and limit the wi-fi connection to just the telescope control. To that end I've picked up the new SkyWatcher Wi-Fi Adapter ($99) leaving the camera control to continue to be handled on the laptop via a 15 meter (non-powered) USB cable. The SkyWatcher Wi-Fi Adapter has no independent power supply simply drawing power through its stubby cable connection to the mount. Nevertheless it has a reasonable wireless range of at least 40 meters which is more than enough for my needs. Although it is meant to be compatible with SkySafari on my iPad that does not presently seem to be the case. And that is a pity because SkySafari is a great tool for use in outreach sessions. The default telescope control program is the SynScan app which is a free download. This is not a planetarium program being more of a software replacement for the SynScan hand control. Even so it is quite sophisticated, easy to use and plenty good enough for my immediate purpose.

With this setup I can now control both the camera and the telescope from a distance of 15 meters. Of course this is only after using both the laptop and iPad right next to the telescope during setup because of the need for hands-on adjustments for polar alignment, star alignment and focus. This 15 meter space allows for reasonably non-light polluting use during an outreach session and also comfortable indoors control of the telescope and camera when they are located in the open adjacent to the observatory.
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