As I understand it, the AP GTO control is designed to work with 12 - 18 volts
DC, and that motor performance can be increased if the upper range of voltage is
applied.  I'm running things at 12v.  Not that the motors are noisy, but would
they be even more quiet if something closer to 18v were applied?

Mike

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

In a message dated 6/1/2010 11:37:52 AM Central Daylight Time,
michaeljcook@... writes:


> As I understand it, the AP GTO control is designed to work with 12 - 18
> volts DC, and that motor performance can be increased if the upper range of
> voltage is applied.  I'm running things at 12v.  Not that the motors are
> noisy, but would they be even more quiet if something closer to 18v were
> applied?
>

The simple answer is no. It is not the motor that is noisy. It is the
gearbox that is noisy. There is a tradeoff between noise and accuracy. We chose
to build an accurate gear reduction where each spur gear has very many fine
cut teeth. The result is a high noise level since the teeth engage and
disengage at a very high rate. A quiet gearbox uses very few teeth on each
reduction gear, but the result is increased periodic error of the kind that is
difficult to guide out.

With few teeth, the error will be rapid moving, as much as 5 arc seconds in
a short time, repeating many times over the course of one worm cycle. But
of course the audible noise will be very low. With high number of teeth,
these rapid excursions are very small, well under 1 arc sec., with a resulting
higher audible noise level.

Rolando


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, chris1011@... wrote:
>
> In a message dated 6/1/2010 11:37:52 AM Central Daylight Time,
> michaeljcook@... writes:
>
>
> > As I understand it, the AP GTO control is designed to work with 12 - 18
> > volts DC, and that motor performance can be increased if the upper range of
> > voltage is applied.  I'm running things at 12v.  Not that the motors are
> > noisy, but would they be even more quiet if something closer to 18v were
> > applied?
> >
>
> The simple answer is no. It is not the motor that is noisy. It is the
> gearbox that is noisy. There is a tradeoff between noise and accuracy. We
chose
> to build an accurate gear reduction where each spur gear has very many fine
> cut teeth. The result is a high noise level since the teeth engage and
> disengage at a very high rate. A quiet gearbox uses very few teeth on each
> reduction gear, but the result is increased periodic error of the kind that is
> difficult to guide out.
>
> With few teeth, the error will be rapid moving, as much as 5 arc seconds in
> a short time, repeating many times over the course of one worm cycle. But
> of course the audible noise will be very low. With high number of teeth,
> these rapid excursions are very small, well under 1 arc sec., with a resulting
> higher audible noise level.
>
> Rolando
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Thanks for the explanation.

Mike

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the ap-gto
group.

   File        : /_New AP ASCOM Driver/APV2_ASCOM_Driver_v5.00.pdf
   Uploaded by : raygralak <groups@...>
   Description : ASCOM Driver v5.00 Documentation for review

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto/files/_New%20AP%20ASCOM%20Driver/APV2_ASCOM\
_Driver_v5.00.pdf

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/forms/general.htmlfiles

Regards,

raygralak <groups@...>

I've just uploaded a PDF document into the files section that has the initial
documentation for the ASCOM V2 driver. If
anyone has any comments, sees any typos, or if something is not clear please let
me know.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto/files/_New%20AP%20ASCOM%20Driver/

I've just got a few more details before the driver is officially released (from
beta). In fact as I posted previously I
will probably release v4.99.60 first because I have made a number of minor
fixes/changes.

Thanks,

-Ray

Wow! Ray nice job. The only change I can recommend is in Para 1.2 Computer with
a serial port. Recommend adding "or computer with USB port and an USB to serial
converter". Can't find a computer with a serial port today.

Harold

--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, "Ray Gralak" <groups@...> wrote:
>
> I've just uploaded a PDF document into the files section that has the initial
documentation for the ASCOM V2 driver. If
> anyone has any comments, sees any typos, or if something is not clear please
let me know.
>
> http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto/files/_New%20AP%20ASCOM%20Driver/
>
> I've just got a few more details before the driver is officially released
(from beta). In fact as I posted previously I
> will probably release v4.99.60 first because I have made a number of minor
fixes/changes.
>
> Thanks,
>
> -Ray
>

Comet C/2009 K5 in Camelopardalis  is the brightest comet  in the northern sky
right now. It is approximately magnitude 8.9 and has a broad diffuse fan tail
extending about 10 arc minutes as imaged under a full moon.  My images and
supporting data  are here
http://users.FoxValley.net/~dpersyk/new.htm
and I hope you will take a look.

Clear skies,

Dennis Persyk
Igloo (Now Roll-Off) Observatory Home Page http://users.FoxValley.net/~dpersyk
Hampshire, IL

Pier Design http://users.FoxValley.net/~dpersyk/Pier_Design.htm

In a message dated 6/1/2010 4:58:45 PM Central Daylight Time,
dpersyk@... writes:


> Comet C/2009 K5 in Camelopardalis  is the brightest comet  in the
> northern sky right now. It is approximately magnitude 8.9 and has a broad
diffuse
> fan tail extending about 10 arc minutes as imaged under a full moon.  My
> images and supporting data  are here
> http://users.FoxValley.net/~dpersyk/new.htm
> and I hope you will take a look.
>

Great shot!

Roland


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thanks Harold!

I've made that change for the next revision and also a few others that people
have submitted privately.

-Ray

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ap-gto@yahoogroups.com [mailto:ap-gto@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Harold
> Sent: Tuesday, June 01, 2010 2:05 PM
> To: ap-gto@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [ap-gto] Re: ASCOM Driver documentation (PDF) for review
>
>
>
> Wow! Ray nice job. The only change I can recommend is in Para 1.2 Computer
with a serial port. Recommend adding "or
computer
> with USB port and an USB to serial converter". Can't find a computer with a
serial port today.
>
> Harold
>
> --- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> , "Ray Gralak"
<groups@...> wrote:
> >
> > I've just uploaded a PDF document into the files section that has the
initial documentation for the ASCOM V2 driver.
If
> > anyone has any comments, sees any typos, or if something is not clear please
let me know.
> >
> > http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto/files/_New%20AP%20ASCOM%20Driver/
> >
> > I've just got a few more details before the driver is officially released
(from beta). In fact as I posted
previously I
> > will probably release v4.99.60 first because I have made a number of minor
fixes/changes.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > -Ray
> >
>
>
>
>

Hey Dennis:

Nice shot of K5!  Here's an image I made last week:
http://www.ruppel.darkhorizons.org/IMAGES/K5%20McNaught_RGB_052210.jpg

Clear Skies,
Gregg

Visit my astronomy site:
http://www.ruppel.darkhorizons.org



From: dennis_persyk
Sent: Tuesday, June 01, 2010 4:56 PM
To: ap-gto@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [ap-gto] Comet C/2009 K5 Brightest in the Northern Sky



Comet C/2009 K5 in Camelopardalis is the brightest comet in the northern sky
right now. It is approximately magnitude 8.9 and has a broad diffuse fan tail
extending about 10 arc minutes as imaged under a full moon. My images and
supporting data are here
http://users.FoxValley.net/~dpersyk/new.htm
and I hope you will take a look.

Clear skies,

Dennis Persyk
Igloo (Now Roll-Off) Observatory Home Page http://users.FoxValley.net/~dpersyk
Hampshire, IL

Pier Design http://users.FoxValley.net/~dpersyk/Pier_Design.htm





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the ap-gto
group.

   File        : /_New AP ASCOM Driver/APV2_ASCOM_Driver_v5.00_Rev_A.pdf
   Uploaded by : raygralak <groups@...>
   Description : ASCOM Driver v5.00 Documentation - Rev A

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto/files/_New%20AP%20ASCOM%20Driver/APV2_ASCOM\
_Driver_v5.00_Rev_A.pdf

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/forms/general.htmlfiles

Regards,

raygralak <groups@...>

I read the documment about precision encoders fiited in the 3600GTOPE mount. I
would like to have something similar in my AP900 GTOCP3 mount.. Could it be
possible that Astrophysics could sell a "retrofit kit" adapted for 900 and 1200 
mounts ?..
I know from a Company that offers this possibility in the 1200 unit...I�m
looking to adapt one for my 900 unit..but,sincerely, I�ll prefer an Astrophysics
solution better than anyone..

Thanks for your kind

Antonio


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Message # 25058.

--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, "Antonio Fernandez" <afesan@...> wrote:
>
> I read the documment about precision encoders fiited in the 3600GTOPE mount. I
would like to have something similar in my AP900 GTOCP3 mount.. Could it be
possible that Astrophysics could sell a "retrofit kit" adapted for 900 and 1200 
mounts ?..
> I know from a Company that offers this possibility in the 1200 unit...I�m
looking to adapt one for my 900 unit..but,sincerely, I�ll prefer an Astrophysics
solution better than anyone..
>
> Thanks for your kind
>
> Antonio
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Hello, there!

Impressive video clearly showing quick impact! Too bad t'storms are in my area
so can't go outside and setup equipment to see )-:

Best regards,

Fernando




________________________________
From: Christopher Go <chris@...>
To: QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com; philastro-forum@yahoogroups.com;
digital-planets@yahoogroups.com; ccd_webcam_imaging@yahoogroups.com;
ap-ug@yahoogroups.com; sct-user@yahoogroups.com; ALPO_Jupiter@yahoogroups.com;
Astronomy List <astro-l@...>
Sent: Thu, June 3, 2010 6:58:41 PM
Subject: [ap-ug] ALERT: NEW JUPITER IMPACT

 
Anthony Wesley and I just caught an impact in Jupiter!! Check out
the video that I got at:

http://astro.christone.net/jupiter/jupiterimpact.wmv

The impact occurred at around 20:30UT today. This video was done in
blue filter.

Regards,

Chris

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Gents,

Fingers crossed the weather complies tomorrow at 13:33:33 UT+3 for what
most probably will be an occultation of Mercury by the ISS. The icing on
the cake is the fact that the ISS will be at a distance of only 404 km
and, therefore, with an apparent diameter of 45.8 arc-seconds. All of
this will be happening at an elongation of only 20 degrees from the Sun.

Hopefully I will have a result for consumption in about 16 hours.

Anthony.

Good luck!  I hope things work out well.

A good reminder that I should run Ed Morana's transit prediction
program.  We were just outside a Saturn transit not long ago.

Clear skies, Alan

Anthony Ayiomamitis wrote:
> Gents,
>
> Fingers crossed the weather complies tomorrow at 13:33:33 UT+3 for what
> most probably will be an occultation of Mercury by the ISS. The icing on
> the cake is the fact that the ISS will be at a distance of only 404 km
> and, therefore, with an apparent diameter of 45.8 arc-seconds. All of
> this will be happening at an elongation of only 20 degrees from the Sun.
>
> Hopefully I will have a result for consumption in about 16 hours.
>
> Anthony.
>

Alan,

We are having some orbital manouvres this weekend ... be careful with
the TLE's.

Anthony.

O/H Alan French ������:
> Good luck!  I hope things work out well.
>
> A good reminder that I should run Ed Morana's transit prediction
> program.  We were just outside a Saturn transit not long ago.
>
> Clear skies, Alan
>
> Anthony Ayiomamitis wrote:
>
>> Gents,
>>
>> Fingers crossed the weather complies tomorrow at 13:33:33 UT+3 for what
>> most probably will be an occultation of Mercury by the ISS. The icing on
>> the cake is the fact that the ISS will be at a distance of only 404 km
>> and, therefore, with an apparent diameter of 45.8 arc-seconds. All of
>> this will be happening at an elongation of only 20 degrees from the Sun.
>>
>> Hopefully I will have a result for consumption in about 16 hours.
>>
>> Anthony.
>>
>>

The pdf doc is on-line, but not the actual driver...  :-)

--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, ap-gto@yahoogroups.com wrote:
>
>
> Hello,
>
> This email message is a notification to let you know that
> a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the ap-gto
> group.
>
>   File        : /_New AP ASCOM Driver/APV2_ASCOM_Driver_v5.00_Rev_A.pdf
>   Uploaded by : raygralak <groups@...>
>   Description : ASCOM Driver v5.00 Documentation - Rev A
>
> You can access this file at the URL:
>
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto/files/_New%20AP%20ASCOM%20Driver/APV2_ASCOM\
_Driver_v5.00_Rev_A.pdf
>
> To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
>
http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/forms/general.htmlfiles
>
> Regards,
>
> raygralak <groups@...>
>

Bob Denny has uploaded a beta version of the fix to the teleapi.dll file in
order to use the new AP ASCOM driver with TheSkyX Pro. The file has been posted
to the ASCOM Talk forum
(http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ASCOM-Talk/files/Bob%20Denny/).

He's looking for beta testers' comments.

--- KW

Hi Pete,

With just under an hour to go, it is all but certain it will not happen.
It rained this morning and the clouds right now are quite thick and
everywhere. There is a couple of small patches of blue but they are too
far away and there is no sucker hole in the works anywhere near the sun
and which, by the way, is not even visible.

I hate losing such opportunities due to the weather. With an elongation
of 20 degrees, it was a very good opportunity.

Anyway, hope dies last .... let's see if something happens the last minute.

Anthony.

O/H p14@... έγραψε:
>
>
>
>
> Anthony,
>
> Best of Luck to You...
>
> Which barlow do you plan to use?
>
> :-)
>
> Pete
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Anthony Ayiomamitis" <anthony@...
> <mailto:anthony%40perseus.gr>>
> To: ap-ug@yahoogroups.com <mailto:ap-ug%40yahoogroups.com>,
> ap-gto@yahoogroups.com <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Friday, June 4, 2010 2:21:12 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
> Subject: [ap-ug] ISS flyby of Mercury .... tomorrow
>
> Gents,
>
> Fingers crossed the weather complies tomorrow at 13:33:33 UT+3 for what
> most probably will be an occultation of Mercury by the ISS. The icing on
> the cake is the fact that the ISS will be at a distance of only 404 km
> and, therefore, with an apparent diameter of 45.8 arc-seconds. All of
> this will be happening at an elongation of only 20 degrees from the Sun.
>
> Hopefully I will have a result for consumption in about 16 hours.
>
> Anthony.
>

Hi Rolando and Howard,
I received my replacement spur gear for my AP1200 today...3 DAYS! That is all it
took to get my replacement. It's already installed and I'm back in business with
a new Moon coming. OUTSTANDING service!
Thanks guys!
Charles Callaghan...aka Chuck/divenuts

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the ap-gto
group.

   File        : /_New AP ASCOM Driver/AstroPhysics V2 Setup v4.99.60.exe
   Uploaded by : raygralak <groups@...>
   Description : AP V2 ASCOM Driver v4.99.60

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto/files/_New%20AP%20ASCOM%20Driver/AstroPhysi\
cs%20V2%20Setup%20v4.99.60.exe

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/forms/general.htmlfiles

Regards,

raygralak <groups@...>

Uploaded into the Files section of AP-GTO:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto/files/_New%20AP%20ASCOM%20Driver/

Changes:

IMPORTANT CHANGE: In this version the Settings file location has been moved to a
common data directory so all users and
processes can share the same settings file. This means that you will need to
either re-enter your settings (e.g.
Longitude/Latitude) or copy AP.INI from //My Documents/<your
Name>/Astro-Physics/ASCOM to C:\Documents and Settings\All
Users\Application Data\Astro-Physics\ASCOM or equivalent folders on Windows
Vista or Windows 7.

- Removed "Set Tracking Rate" setting when initializing the mount. The only
option now is to have tracking off or
tracking on (at sidereal rate).
- Bug Fix - Fixed PulseGuide timing issue which caused PulseGuide moves to be
50-60% larger than they should have been.
- Bug Fix - Fixed ASCOM GuideRateDeclination and GuideRateRightAscension
properties which were not using the right
units. This was causing MetaGuide to not be able to set a guide rate.
- New Feature - Added option to use the ASCOM serial port interface instead of
the custom C++ DLL. This was done to see
if the driver would work with COM ports created by some bluetooth devices that
don't seem to work with the C++ DLL.
- When unparking immediately stop tracking until it is initialized with teh
proper Time/RA/Dec positions.
- Added line numbers to log files so it is easier to report the location of a
problem in a log file.
- In Log File display controller type with full name (e.g. GTOCP3) instead of a
number.

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the ap-gto
group.

   File        : /_New AP ASCOM Driver/APV2_ASCOM_Driver.pdf
   Uploaded by : raygralak <groups@...>
   Description : ASCOM Driver v5.00 Documentation - Rev B

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto/files/_New%20AP%20ASCOM%20Driver/APV2_ASCOM\
_Driver.pdf

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/forms/general.htmlfiles

Regards,

raygralak <groups@...>

On my Vista 64 bit machine I found the right folder under C:\ProgData.

Larry

--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, "Ray Gralak" <groups@...> wrote:
>
> Uploaded into the Files section of AP-GTO:
>
> http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto/files/_New%20AP%20ASCOM%20Driver/
>
> Changes:
>
> IMPORTANT CHANGE: In this version the Settings file location has been moved to
a common data directory so all users and
> processes can share the same settings file. This means that you will need to
either re-enter your settings (e.g.
> Longitude/Latitude) or copy AP.INI from //My Documents/<your
Name>/Astro-Physics/ASCOM to C:\Documents and Settings\All
> Users\Application Data\Astro-Physics\ASCOM or equivalent folders on Windows
Vista or Windows 7.
>
> - Removed "Set Tracking Rate" setting when initializing the mount. The only
option now is to have tracking off or
> tracking on (at sidereal rate).
> - Bug Fix - Fixed PulseGuide timing issue which caused PulseGuide moves to be
50-60% larger than they should have been.
> - Bug Fix - Fixed ASCOM GuideRateDeclination and GuideRateRightAscension
properties which were not using the right
> units. This was causing MetaGuide to not be able to set a guide rate.
> - New Feature - Added option to use the ASCOM serial port interface instead of
the custom C++ DLL. This was done to see
> if the driver would work with COM ports created by some bluetooth devices that
don't seem to work with the C++ DLL.
> - When unparking immediately stop tracking until it is initialized with teh
proper Time/RA/Dec positions.
> - Added line numbers to log files so it is easier to report the location of a
problem in a log file.
> - In Log File display controller type with full name (e.g. GTOCP3) instead of
a number.
>

BTW, the installation is a bit larger this time (over 3 MB) because a Windows
Help file is now included with the project
(the same contents as the PDF file I uploaded earlier). There is a shortcut to
open the Help in Windows'
Start->Astro-Physics->ASCOM Driver.

Also, pressing the F1 key while in the hand box window will open the Help file.

-Ray

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ap-gto@yahoogroups.com [mailto:ap-gto@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Ray
Gralak
> Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2010 12:45 PM
> To: ap-gto@yahoogroups.com; ap-ug@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [ap-gto] New ASCOM Driver v4.99.60
>
>
>
> Uploaded into the Files section of AP-GTO:
>
> http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto/files/_New%20AP%20ASCOM%20Driver/
>
> Changes:
>
> IMPORTANT CHANGE: In this version the Settings file location has been moved to
a common data directory so all users
and
> processes can share the same settings file. This means that you will need to
either re-enter your settings (e.g.
> Longitude/Latitude) or copy AP.INI from //My Documents/<your
Name>/Astro-Physics/ASCOM to C:\Documents and
Settings\All
> Users\Application Data\Astro-Physics\ASCOM or equivalent folders on Windows
Vista or Windows 7.
>
> - Removed "Set Tracking Rate" setting when initializing the mount. The only
option now is to have tracking off or
> tracking on (at sidereal rate).
> - Bug Fix - Fixed PulseGuide timing issue which caused PulseGuide moves to be
50-60% larger than they should have
been.
> - Bug Fix - Fixed ASCOM GuideRateDeclination and GuideRateRightAscension
properties which were not using the right
> units. This was causing MetaGuide to not be able to set a guide rate.
> - New Feature - Added option to use the ASCOM serial port interface instead of
the custom C++ DLL. This was done to
see
> if the driver would work with COM ports created by some bluetooth devices that
don't seem to work with the C++ DLL.
> - When unparking immediately stop tracking until it is initialized with teh
proper Time/RA/Dec positions.
> - Added line numbers to log files so it is easier to report the location of a
problem in a log file.
> - In Log File display controller type with full name (e.g. GTOCP3) instead of
a number.
>
>
>
>

Hi Larry,

Yes, under Vista and Windows 7 the new directory is different. It should be:

C:\ProgramData\Astro-Physics\ASCOM

(Assuming C: is the drive that you have windows installed under).

-Ray

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ap-gto@yahoogroups.com [mailto:ap-gto@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Larry Phillips
> Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2010 3:39 PM
> To: ap-gto@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [ap-gto] Re: New ASCOM Driver v4.99.60
>
>
>
> On my Vista 64 bit machine I found the right folder under C:\ProgData.
>
> Larry
>
> --- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> , "Ray Gralak"
<groups@...> wrote:
> >
> > Uploaded into the Files section of AP-GTO:
> >
> > http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto/files/_New%20AP%20ASCOM%20Driver/
> >
> > Changes:
> >
> > IMPORTANT CHANGE: In this version the Settings file location has been moved
to a common data directory so all users
and
> > processes can share the same settings file. This means that you will need to
either re-enter your settings (e.g.
> > Longitude/Latitude) or copy AP.INI from //My Documents/<your
Name>/Astro-Physics/ASCOM to C:\Documents and
Settings\All
> > Users\Application Data\Astro-Physics\ASCOM or equivalent folders on Windows
Vista or Windows 7.
> >
> > - Removed "Set Tracking Rate" setting when initializing the mount. The only
option now is to have tracking off or
> > tracking on (at sidereal rate).
> > - Bug Fix - Fixed PulseGuide timing issue which caused PulseGuide moves to
be 50-60% larger than they should have
been.
> > - Bug Fix - Fixed ASCOM GuideRateDeclination and GuideRateRightAscension
properties which were not using the right
> > units. This was causing MetaGuide to not be able to set a guide rate.
> > - New Feature - Added option to use the ASCOM serial port interface instead
of the custom C++ DLL. This was done to
see
> > if the driver would work with COM ports created by some bluetooth devices
that don't seem to work with the C++ DLL.
> > - When unparking immediately stop tracking until it is initialized with teh
proper Time/RA/Dec positions.
> > - Added line numbers to log files so it is easier to report the location of
a problem in a log file.
> > - In Log File display controller type with full name (e.g. GTOCP3) instead
of a number.
> >
>
>
>
>

Hi Mark,

You wrote on ap-ug (but I'm copying this response to ap-gto as well):
> Is the new version in any way related to TheSkyX?

The new version is not related to TheSkyX. It is hopefully the final release
before bumping the driver to officially
released status (i.e. v5.00.00). It has a few last-minute bug fixes, changes,
and enhancements that I hope will resolve
any remaining issues. The most important changes include:

1) the integrated help
2) the optional use of the ASCOM serial component which might resolve the issue
with mounts not being found with some
Bluetooth devices.
3) The change of the settings storage to a common area.

> Should I be continuing to open the AP ASCOM interface first with TheSkyX?

Yes, that is OK. You will be able to open the driver via ThSky6 as well If
Teleapi.dll is installed correctly (and
TheSky6 is configured to use Teleapi).

Anyway, I appreciate your feedback (and others) to confirm everything is working
ok with the new version of the driver.
I would like to promote the driver to "released" and get it up on the ASCOM web
site by next weekend so if you have any
problems please let me know.

-Ray

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ap-ug@yahoogroups.com [mailto:ap-ug@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
mmanner
> Sent: Sunday, June 06, 2010 10:15 AM
> To: ap-ug@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [ap-ug] Re: New ASCOM Driver v4.99.60
>
>
>
> Thanks Ray. Perhaps this is an ignorant question, so forgive me. Is the new
version in any way related to TheSkyX? I
just started
> using it with my AP1200GTOCP3. Before when using TheSky6 I started up the
ASCOM AP driver, then TheSky6, but with
TheSkyX I
> have not been doing the first step, and it appears to be working ok. Should I
be continuing to open the AP ASCOM
interface first with
> TheSkyX?
> Thanks, Mark
>
> --- In ap-ug@yahoogroups.com <mailto:ap-ug%40yahoogroups.com> , "Ray Gralak"
<groups@...> wrote:
> >
> > Uploaded into the Files section of AP-GTO:
> >
> > http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto/files/_New%20AP%20ASCOM%20Driver/
> >
> > Changes:
> >
> > IMPORTANT CHANGE: In this version the Settings file location has been moved
to a common data directory so all users
and
> > processes can share the same settings file. This means that you will need to
either re-enter your settings (e.g.
> > Longitude/Latitude) or copy AP.INI from //My Documents/<your
Name>/Astro-Physics/ASCOM to C:\Documents and
Settings\All
> > Users\Application Data\Astro-Physics\ASCOM or equivalent folders on Windows
Vista or Windows 7.
> >
> > - Removed "Set Tracking Rate" setting when initializing the mount. The only
option now is to have tracking off or
> > tracking on (at sidereal rate).
> > - Bug Fix - Fixed PulseGuide timing issue which caused PulseGuide moves to
be 50-60% larger than they should have
been.
> > - Bug Fix - Fixed ASCOM GuideRateDeclination and GuideRateRightAscension
properties which were not using the right
> > units. This was causing MetaGuide to not be able to set a guide rate.
> > - New Feature - Added option to use the ASCOM serial port interface instead
of the custom C++ DLL. This was done to
see
> > if the driver would work with COM ports created by some bluetooth devices
that don't seem to work with the C++ DLL.
> > - When unparking immediately stop tracking until it is initialized with teh
proper Time/RA/Dec positions.
> > - Added line numbers to log files so it is easier to report the location of
a problem in a log file.
> > - In Log File display controller type with full name (e.g. GTOCP3) instead
of a number.
> >
>
>
>
>

Where did you get the program?

Chris. Spratt
Victoria, BC

--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, "russelldurkee" <russdurkee@...> wrote:
>
>
>
> I have used the Satellite Tracker program on a few occasions with my AP900 and
it works exactly as Roland describes.
>
> But I found that I could never tune it to follow the object smoothly enough
for quality imaging.  Anything but the low power images were a jittery mess.  It
worked much better in leap-frog mode where it periodically pointed the scope out
ahead of the object before the object zipped through the FOV.
>
> In the end I gave up and just loosened the clutches and followed the ISS
manually.  That works very well.
>
> Russ
>

--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, "Ray Gralak" <groups@...> wrote:

> > > - Removed "Set Tracking Rate" setting when initializing the mount. The
only option now is to have tracking off or


Ray, is tracking rate working as you intended with v60?

When I manually park the (mount using the ASCOM driver popup controls) then
unpark it, the tracking rate is "Stopped" even if I have the box "Enable
Tracking on Unpark" ticked. That box no longer seems to have any effect (that I
can see).

I do find that if I have a CCDCommander series of instructions:

Park Mount
Wait until 0100
Move to Target X

That CCDC will both unpark the mount and will resume tracking at the sidereal
rate (perhaps because it is sending both an Unpark and a Set Tracking rate
command behind the scenes)

Regards,

Drew S.