[Startrek (Martin)]

Only my observation, but if I understand your description of connection correctly, your using the handcontroller to connect the ASIair ?? I recommend you ditch the PC direct mode of connecting your mount using EQMOD ( ie not through Handcontroller)
See attached info directly from the EQMOD Project regarding the use of PC Direct method of connection !!
All Synta mounts ( Skywatcher and other retail brands ) should be connected via EQdirect to avoid any flakey functionality.
The EQdirect method of the connection should be done using an approved EQdirect cable from the handcontroller port of the mount via ASIair or direct to Laptop.
For a HEQ5 mount using a EQdirect cable , the USB Com port setting in Device Manager should have a baud rate of 9600.

Martin

NB: PC direct mode has connected and controlled many mounts successfully but it is not the preferred or recommended method of connection by the developers of EQMOD ( Chris and many others )
The EQMOD Project originally designed the EQAscom driver to completely replace the Synscan Handcontroller for control of the mount directly or remotely via a PC plus provide many more features.
PC direct was a feature designed by Synta (Skywatcher and other retail brands ) in the Synscan Handcontroller , not an EQMOD feature.