Try connecting EQMOD to mount via EQMOD Toolbox and not via ASIair but first verify that cable is connecting to mount by going into Device Manager and checking Serial USB com port ( eg: Com 5 or Com 7 etc… )
Connect your mount to your laptop with your nominated EQ Direct cable (max length 5m )
Switch on your mount and laptop and open Device Manager in laptop and verify Com port
connection to mount via a serial USB Com port. ( eg COM 3 , COM 5 etc.. ) Unplug cable from mount
end to check connection , USB Serial Com ## should disappear. plug it back in and it should
reappear.Still in Device Manager select Ports then double click your USB serial Com port and Com
port Properties will appear. Go into port settings and just change Bits per second to 9600 which is Baud rate ( this is very important !!! ) Press ok and close Device Manager. Your serial port connection is now ready to communicate with EQMOD. Now register and check the EQMOD Ascom Set Up Window and make sure all your settings are
correct. This can be found on your computer via Start Up and Programs. Press EQMOD folder then EQASCOM folder , in the drop down select “Toolbox”. The small EQASCOM Toolbox will appear.
Press the “Register” button , an error will come up, just press Ok, then Success Ok. Now in the
Toolbox press “Driver Set Up” this will launch the EQMOD Ascom Set Up window.
Note: Some EQ Direct cables like Shoestring Astronomy brand require a Special FTDI driver for the USB chip in the cable
Important Download if using Shoestring Astronomy EQMOD cable
Shoestring Astronomy Virtual Com Port ( VCP driver for FTDI chip ) for your ( Shoestring Astronomy) USB EQ Direct cable (
www.shoestringastronomy.com ) This is the most important item and allows your Laptop to find and connect to the mount through the Shoestring EQ
cable .Hopefully your operating system is on the list for the VCP driver ( Go to The Shoestring Astronomy Store then “Downloads” then “Software” and then select “Virtual Com Port Drivers for
USB2EQ6 and USB2EQ5” ( VCP Driver for FTDI devices ) this opens the FTDI page. Go to the Supported VCP Drivers table. If your using a computer with Windows 7 , 8 , 10 or 11 then choose the first section in the table under Windows* go across to the RHS under Comments and this is where
you find out how to download the FTDI driver ( you can use the “set up executable” or just read the installation notes and it shows you how to download and set up for Windows )
NB: You can use other brands or manufacturers EQ Direct Cables but be cautious as some have inherent driver problems etc.. Shoestring Astronomy worked directly with EQMOD to develop the correct cable for the EQ Direct method of connection between mount and Laptop.
Also make sure you have the latest Ascom driver installed together with the Microsoft.Net Framework 3.5.1
The problem could also be in your ASIair settings as well ???? Hence to try connecting to EQMOD autonomously
After trying all the above and you still can’t connect , replace the cable
Hope others can chime in on the ASIair side of things as I don’t use them
Hope the above helps
Martin
