Hi Terry,

 Did you see Darryl Robertson`s recent response to my emails? As a result I`ve downloaded Starmap app http://www.star-map.fr/ for use potentially with an iPod Touch when I can afford one in about a month`s time! according to Darryl I`d still need a computer at the scope to communicate with Equinox 6 but that Starmap is only limited by the range of the Airport wireless network we have here. My Dad is looking into 2nd hand Airport Base stations (I think new BS`s are over $200 each but he`s seen some currently on eBay for about $90). Dad is in his late 70`s & I still live at the family property at the ripe old age of 52! These should extend the range of our network. My Bluestar requires a pairing be set up each time & as I`ve indicated won`t work over about 9 feet in range. The Bluestar could still be part of the Equinox 6-Starmap-computer-scope set`up though. Weren`t you transposing between varoius Planetarium apps. or was this just for experimentation? You would need a re-start probably with the re-set button(& paper-clip!) on the back of the Bluestar if you were doing this I expect. Starmap Pro is available as a download in the Applications section of iTunes-I got it for only $22.99AUD-IPod Touches start at $329 AUD though! Best of luck with your experiments! 

Mark.

On 07/07/2009, at 3:42 PM, Terrence R. Redding, Ph.D. wrote:

Thinking about this - it seems clear to me that the blue tooth solution eliminates wires but wont satisfy band width requirements or range issues.  However, I notice the Bluetooth adapter is tempermental and often wont work unless I restart the computer and pair the device before doing anything else.

So, my plan is to have a computer in the observatory connected to the scope and then use ethernet to remote control the computer on those occasions when I am not live at the scope.

Terry - W6LMJ - 14.287 

Terrence R. Redding, Ph.D. RTN

Redding Observatory South, West Palm Beach, Florida

http://olt.net/learningstyle/Site_2/Learning_Style_Research.html

How do amateur astronomers learn?

On Jul 6, 2009, at 8:27 AM, Mark Gaffney wrote:

Hi Terry, I`ve had a look at both of your links. The 2nd is a good tute on your process of using the "Wat" camera with the multiple frames. Here`s a update to my iWeb site showing my first attempt at imaging Saturn back on New Years Day; http://web.mac.com/markgaffney/iWeb/Site/My%20Great%20Movie%209.html

I`ve since been able to use "All Star" polar Alignment successfully & have been experimenting with different types of focal reducers for imaging the Moon. The mosaics on my iWeb site were done with Photoshop CS3 Extended & image acquisition & colour enhancing were done with Astro IIDC. I`m now shooting a more neutral greyish colour as I`m told this aids with the colour enhancement with Astro IIDC. I`ll try again tomorrow with the Bluestar Adapter using fresh batteries. Although I understand the rain is returning this week!  I really need it to work at a distance of about 30 feet (as my scope is that far from the deskbound Mac mini G4) but I`ll be prepared to move the computer closer if necessary. Here`s an interesting link I came across about using Wi Fi with a new adapter compatible with Carina Software & an iPhone; http://www.carinasoft.com/products/skyvoyager/telescope_control.html

It`s quite out of my range of expenditures at present though. I`ve just bought myself a 2nd hand Lenovo desktop pc in order to have enough RAM to run SkyTools 3 Pro.

Mark.

On 06/07/2009, at 7:40 PM, Terrence Redding wrote:

Good evening Mark - well morning here.

I have been studying wifi technology and have added a couple of monitoring tools to my kit.  AP Grapher and Net Monitor.  One excellent article is http://www.cepro.com/article/print/how_to_debug_wifi_and_optimize_wireless_in_the_home/ which is very clearly written.

As for batteries.  I use rechargeable batteries and tend to put a fresh set in every time I plan to operate the scope.  Some nights I plan to be out there for an hour and then it turns into an all nighter - Just best to start fresh.  I am experimenting with 811.g, but will eventually have an ethernet between the home office and the observatory.  Just makes sense on those clear nights when I could just as easily multitask was data collection starts.

Dis you by chance see my test recording the video from low light cameras through the 14" SCT and the 66 mm refractor?  One serves as a wide field and the other narrower and more magnification.

You can see it at http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1756572

Let me know what you think.  The stream starts on a MacBook Pro, and the video conversion from analog to firewire happens in the Canon Camcorder.

Terry - W6LMJ

Terrence R. Redding, Ph.D. RTN

http://olt.net/learningstyle/Site_2/Learning_Style_Research.html

How do amateur astronomers learn?

On Jul 6, 2009, at 12:31 AM, Mark Gaffney wrote:

Hi Terry, I`ve finally got dry enough ground on the grass beside the carport (where I been relegated to for the time being) so I set up the scope this morning (10 am) & attempted to pair with the Bluestar adapter. It`s connecting but at more like 10 feet than the touted 30 feet! It`s been connecting to the mount inside at shorter distances than that so far so I haven`t bothered to check the batteries. They were long life ones but not the Duracells or Energisers we have here in Australia. Do you find your batteries run down that much? It`s been a couple of months since I bought the adapter & put mine in.

Mark

On 05/07/2009, at 3:52 PM, Terrence Redding wrote:

I have the auto video record and camera switch setup - testing the easy with which I switch from live camera feeds on the fly.

Join me if you can.

Terry - W6LMJ

Terrence R. Redding, Ph.D. RTN

http://olt.net/learningstyle/Site_2/Learning_Style_Research.html

How do amateur astronomers learn?