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  #581  
Old 14-04-2018, 07:24 AM
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GrahamL
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Thanks i'll check next time i'm out

hey thanks guys thats what it was when i changed the steps i left the values the same the az value stayed the same but the alt needed reversing seems all good now , inside at least .

Last edited by GrahamL; 15-04-2018 at 07:11 AM.
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  #582  
Old 08-07-2018, 11:20 AM
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troypiggo (Troy)
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I don’t often do visual and my Argo Navis has been in storage pretty much since I bought it. Will be pulling the dob out soon and wanted to test the AN/encoders etc still working. Is there a way to test in daylight without having to actually align?

Last edited by troypiggo; 08-07-2018 at 11:47 AM.
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  #583  
Old 08-07-2018, 11:07 PM
gary
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Argo Navis Daytime Encoder Test

Quote:
Originally Posted by troypiggo View Post
I don’t often do visual and my Argo Navis has been in storage pretty much since I bought it. Will be pulling the dob out soon and wanted to test the AN/encoders etc still working. Is there a way to test in daylight without having to actually align?
Hi Troy,

You might like to perform what we refer to as the Daytime Encoder Test.

Here is the test as copied directly from the User Manual pp 123-124 :-

Quote:
Originally Posted by Argo Navis User's Manual Daytime Encoder Test
During the day, using a high-powered
eyepiece or cross-hair reticle, center a
distant fixed terrestrial object.
Power on Argo Navis and after it
has initialized, spin the DIAL until the
display reads –

MODE ENCODER

then press ENTER. Now spin the DIAL
until the display reads –

AZ/ALT ENC STEPS
+0000 *0000

When in this mode, the value of Azimuth
steps range from 0 to the number of steps
set in SETUP AZ STEPS minus 1. Altitude
steps range from 0 to the number of steps
set in SETUP ALT STEPS minus 1.
If your mount is of the style that allows
you to lock the Alt (or Dec) axis, lock it.
Take note of the left-hand displayed
value, which is the Az (or RA) encoder
count.

Rotate the mount through 360° in Az
(RA) and re-center the object. Take note
of the displayed Az encoder count value.
Ideally, it should be within an encoder
step or two of the value from which you
started. Keep in mind that the displayed
count “wraps”, so that, for example, a
value that is equivalent to the number of
steps set in SETUP AZ STEPS minus 1 is
only 1 step away from a count of zero.
Now exercise the scope back-and-forth
in Az (RA) to attempt to induce any
potential encoder shaft slippage error, or
the like. Again, re-center the object and
check that the displayed value has
returned to within a step or two of what it
originally was.

Now take note of the right-hand
displayed value, which is the Alt (or Dec)
encoder count.

If your mount is of the style that allows
you to lock the Az (or RA) axis, lock it.
Now exercise the scope up-and-down
in Alt (Dec) to attempt to induce any
potential encoder shaft slippage error, or
the like. Again, re-center the object and
check that the displayed value has
returned to within a step or two of what it
originally was.

To diagnose for hysteresis effects,
carefully observe the display in MODE
ENCODER whilst moving the scope to-and
fro. When you begin to move the scope,
look for any noticeable delay or “lag” from
the time the scope starts to move to the
time MODE ENCODER registers motion.
Start by rotating the mount in one
direction, then stopping and reversing the
direction of travel. If you notice the above
mentioned lag effect from when the scope
begins to move, this is a telltale sign of
hysteresis. It is best rectified by inspecting
your encoder mounting hardware for any
‘play’ and then applying a mechanical fix.
Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au
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  #584  
Old 25-03-2019, 11:55 AM
gary
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Wildcard Innovations web temporarily offline for network upgrade

The Wildcard Innovations web site at http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au is temporarily offline whilst we undergo a network upgrade.

Once up, we will place a notice on this thread.

As the web site will have a new static IP address associated with it, it may take a day or two for DNS servers around the globe to be updated.

In the meantime, you can still contact us by email.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place
Mount Kuring-Gai NSW 2080
Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au
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  #585  
Old 25-03-2019, 01:38 PM
gary
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Thumbs up Wildcard Innovations web site is back online

The Wildcard Innovations web site is back online with a faster network connection.

As the static IP address of the web site has changed, you may need
to refresh your browser.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place
Mount Kuring-Gai NSW 2080
Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au
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  #586  
Old 27-03-2019, 08:14 AM
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Tinderboxsky (Steve)
I can see clearly now ...

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A heads up to thank Gary for his very prompt and helpful reply to my email request for help.
I was having a problem getting SkySafari on my IPad to communicate with my Argo Navis via a SkyFi3 wireless adaptor. The devil is in all the settings detail. All good now and it is working a treat.
My Argo Navis is guiding a TRex mount and it does a superb job. The SkySafari wireless connection will add another dimension.

Thank you Gary.
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  #587  
Old 27-03-2019, 05:39 PM
gary
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinderboxsky View Post
A heads up to thank Gary for his very prompt and helpful reply to my email request for help.
I was having a problem getting SkySafari on my IPad to communicate with my Argo Navis via a SkyFi3 wireless adaptor. The devil is in all the settings detail. All good now and it is working a treat.
My Argo Navis is guiding a TRex mount and it does a superb job. The SkySafari wireless connection will add another dimension.

Thank you Gary.
Thank you Steve for your kind words.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place
Mount Kuring-Gai NSW 2080
Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au
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  #588  
Old 17-10-2019, 08:24 PM
gary
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Arrow Argo Navis Users' Group now at http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/forum

The Argo Navis Users' Forum has moved to http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/forum

It had been hosted on Yahoo Groups but Yahoo announced that in the
coming days they will not allow any user contributed data, including
messages, to be uploaded to their groups web site.

So we made the decision to move to a new forum hosted at our own web site.

If you had been a member of the Yahoo Group, you will be required to
re-register on the new forum.

If you experience any difficulty please email us at sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au

Messages, photos and files that appeared on the original Yahoo Group
have been archived by Wildcard Innovations and it is our hope in time
that treasure trove of material will appear as an archive on the new forum.

We will also continue to monitor this thread here and answer any questions you have.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au
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  #589  
Old 21-12-2019, 11:34 AM
gary
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Argo Navis Firmware Version 3..0.3 now available for download

Wildcard Innovations is pleased to announce Argo Navis Firmware Version 3.0.3.

To show our appreciation of your support, Wildcard are providing a free license (subject to your acceptance of our End User Licence Agreement) to Version 3.0.3 to you as a gift.

Version 3.0.3 is now available for download -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com...._download.html

The End User Licence Agreement can be found here -
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/EULA.html

To download the firmware, you will need to have registered and have a copy of your Registration Code.
If you registered in the past, you will receive a reminder of your registration code by email in due course.

If you have not registered before, you will find the registration link on this page :-
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com...._download.html

We highly recommend that you also download the following -

* Argo Navis User Manual Edition 11.
See http://www.wildcard-innovations.com....mentation.html
This edition of the User Manual includes a description of how to install and use the latest Argonaut Version 2.0 software utility for Windows (page 160).

* Argonaut Version 2.0 software utility for Windows.
See https://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/utilities.html
A similar utility for Linux are available from the same URL.

To perform the firmware download to your unit, you will require the following additional components -

* Argonaut for Windows or sgzload for Linux.
These can be downloaded from here -
https://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/utilities.html

* A serial cable for connection to your Argo Navis from your PC, Wildcard Innovations part number pn-ser-cbl.

If your computer does not have an RS-232 serial port, we recommend you use the serial cable in conjunction with the Keyspan USA-19HS USB Serial Adapter.
Wildcard Innovations also stock these as their part number pn-usb.

To purchase either or both of the above you can pay securely online using MasterCard, Visa or AMEX using this URL -
https://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/purchase.html

To install Argonaut Version 2.0, refer to the step-by-step instructions starting on page 161.

To determine which version of firmware your unit currently has loaded, dial up MODE STATUS, STATUS VERSION.

We recommend you use Argonaut Version 2.0 to save your existing Argo Navis setups onto your PC. See page 182 on "Transferring setups".

If you are migrating from firmware version 3.0.0 or later, Argo Navis firmware Version 3.0.3 will preserve your setups.

However, if you are migrating from an earlier version than 3.0.0, then version 3.0.3 will restore your setups to factory defaults so we highly recommend you use Argonaut to save the setups so you can restore them later.

Please note that loading Argo Navis firmware version 3.0.3 will clear any existing asteroid, comet, satellite or user catalogs you already have loaded.
You should ensure you have the original data for any catalogs you may have loaded stored on your PC so that you can reload it after performing the upgrade.

To download a firmware file from your PC to Argo Navis, please refer to page 187.

Version 3.0.3 contains the following improvements :-

* Improved solution for some comet and asteroid orbits.
* More reliable first-time power-up when real-time clock coin cell battery becomes depleted or is replaced.


Should you experience any difficulties, simply email sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au for assistance.

We thank you again for your support and we hope you enjoy Version 3.0.3.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
wildcard@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au
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  #590  
Old 01-05-2020, 01:55 PM
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GrahamL
pro lumen

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Location: ballina
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Hi


Im not going to fit my argo unit to my dob rebuild but will use it for my portable mount , I want to test the now redundant 10 k encoders are still working before moving them on but dont seem to be able to get any movement on both values , they arnt attached to a scope , and i have increased the values from 4000 k (dm 4 ) to 10000k (dob ) am i missing something ?
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  #591  
Old 01-05-2020, 11:09 PM
gary
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GrahamL View Post
Hi


Im not going to fit my argo unit to my dob rebuild but will use it for my portable mount , I want to test the now redundant 10 k encoders are still working before moving them on but dont seem to be able to get any movement on both values , they arnt attached to a scope , and i have increased the values from 4000 k (dm 4 ) to 10000k (dob ) am i missing something ?
Hi Graham,

Some encoder installations include short pigtail cables that include a 5
pin flat plug that mates with the 5 pins on the encoder. Make sure those
plugs are oriented the right way around. They aren't keyed.
Email sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au or phone during business
hours on 02 9457 9049 for further assistance.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place
Mount Kuring-Gai NSW 2080
Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au
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  #592  
Old 02-05-2020, 07:55 AM
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GrahamL
pro lumen

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Location: ballina
Posts: 3,265
Hi Gary thanx



I messed a little more with the cabling yesterday and eventually got both encoders to work ,, mostly .


I know the argo unit works fine as it runs the encoders through my DM4 without issue .


So Im back to the cabling 4 rj45 plugs and the two couplers im guessing dust and not being used for quite a while hasnt done them any favours what can i clean them with ?


I have some air flow sensor cleaner i could get a little on a cotton bud its just a non residue solvent ?
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  #593  
Old 02-05-2020, 12:48 PM
gary
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GrahamL View Post
Hi Gary thanx



I messed a little more with the cabling yesterday and eventually got both encoders to work ,, mostly .


I know the argo unit works fine as it runs the encoders through my DM4 without issue .


So Im back to the cabling 4 rj45 plugs and the two couplers im guessing dust and not being used for quite a while hasnt done them any favours what can i clean them with ?


I have some air flow sensor cleaner i could get a little on a cotton bud its just a non residue solvent ?
Hi Graham,

I would certainly give them a good clean. We would normally use a good
electrical solvent like CRC-226 and a cotton bud but if you have the air
flow sensor cleaner at hand, it is worth a shot.

Have a look at the contacts under some good light and some magnification.
If there is any sign of debris on them, you might try gently prying it off
using a fine sewing needle then touch up with the solvent to clean the
remainder.

The flat plugs that mate with the gold pins on the encoders are often
of the insulation displacement type. The insulated wires are pushed down
onto crimps which break the insulation. There is a specific tool for this
but something as simple as a small flat bladed jewellers screwdriver and
a careful hand could be employed to push down any that have lost reliable
contact. Sometimes the wires are best cut and re-crimped.

If you happen to have a multimeter you can also check the end-to-end
integrity of each of the cable contacts. Fine sewing needles allow you
to probe the gold contacts on the RJ plugs.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place
Mount Kuring-Gai NSW 2080
Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au
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  #594  
Old 29-05-2020, 10:34 PM
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Gem (Grant)
The serenity...

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Location: Canberra, Australia
Posts: 926
Happy new owner. Worked beautifully first night (once I put on the auto adjust on). After over 30 years of star hopping, it as nice to have some help.
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  #595  
Old 30-05-2020, 10:46 AM
gary
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gem View Post
Happy new owner. Worked beautifully first night (once I put on the auto adjust on). After over 30 years of star hopping, it as nice to have some help.
Hi Grant,

Thanks for the post.

AUTO ADJUST ON is definitely the way to fly and great to hear you are up
and going.

Enjoy!

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au
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  #596  
Old 14-08-2020, 07:42 PM
gary
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We think in terms of an extended family of Argo Navis owners.

We were therefore deeply saddened to learn today of the passing of
George Nikolidakis of Athens, Greece, in April this year.

George was only 59 and died after a battle with COVID-19.

President of the Hellenic Amateur Astronomical Union, I know he
will be missed by his family and friends.

Our deepest condolences.

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place
Mount Kuring-Gai NSW 2080
Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au
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  #597  
Old 11-10-2020, 03:09 PM
garin (Garin)
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Argonavis Bug Encountered

My bad, been a long time since I've done a firmware update on the argo, currently loading 3.0.4, see if that fixes the issue.

Can a bad comet tle cause the Bug Encountered message ?

-------------


Help! I'm heading out to a dark site on Thursday and did a dry run to to make sure everything is ok and load some comet tle's into the Argo.
I ran up the argo, saved did a save setup and transferred the comet tle, which all seemed ok.
Then powered down the argo and disconnectedd and went to check the comets and about 2 secs later a "bug encountered' message comes up and then I can do nothing.
I believe the firmware is V3.0.0

I have replaced the coin battery but still have the same issue.

Can load firmware with being in load cat ? and the error still up ?

How can I fix this before Thursday

Last edited by garin; 11-10-2020 at 03:23 PM.
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  #598  
Old 11-10-2020, 06:23 PM
gary
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Snapshots of the factory where Argo Navis is made here in Sydney

Below are a couple of snapshots I took on Friday whilst at the factory
that manufactures the Argo Navis units here in Sydney.

Every single Argo Navis ever made was manufactured in Sydney.

We are particularly proud of the fact that the majority of workers
involved in its production are woman. We have always been
proud of that but even more so in 2020.

The first snapshot shows racks of Argo Navis printed circuit assemblies.
These particular units have reached the quality assurance (QA) stage
of the factory pipeline where they are awaiting testing and inspection.

The wires go to the battery terminals and the pink anti-static bubble-wrap
is taped over the displays to protect them during handling.

Once the units are housed into their enclosures, they undergo further
inspection and at least 24 hours of continual burn-in testing.

The second snapshot is a view of the testing and packaging area
of the factory.
Attached Thumbnails
Click for full-size image (factory1.jpg)
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Click for full-size image (factory2.jpg)
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  #599  
Old 11-10-2020, 06:38 PM
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multiweb (Marc)
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Very cool pics Gary. That place is huge. I had no idea your operation was so large. Kudos.
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  #600  
Old 11-10-2020, 07:05 PM
gary
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Quote:
Originally Posted by multiweb View Post
Very cool pics Gary. That place is huge. I had no idea your operation was so large. Kudos.
Hi Marc,

We employ the services of a turn-key manufacturer.

So at any one time they are manufacturing electronics for a diverse
range of customers.

The first stage of the production line is robotic reflow soldering.
This company has a large investment in the equipment required to
precisely place thousands of components at high speed.

They also have significant investments in test equipment and a
well-trained and highly skilled work force.

Using a turn-key manufacturer is something we have in common
with much larger companies such as Apple.

It frees you up from having to own your own factory and because they
are constantly putting product through the line, everyone benefits
from the incremental improvements that one only gets through doing
stuff.

However, we always have a always will manufacture in Australia.
Even prior to founding Wildcard Innovations, in previous working lifetimes
we also manufactured in Australia. That included consumer
products that we had designed in collaboration with large
Japanese and US multinationals.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place
Mount Kuring-Gai NSW 2080
Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
https://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/
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