Stellarium-EQ6 control

[Adrianf]

For those interested I have managed, with help from the EQMOD forum, to get software control of where my EQ6 mount points using Stellarium. Point at the star/planet/neb in Stellarium and press CTRL+1 and the scope will slew to and track(?) the object.:woot:

You will need programs from 4 sites

EQMOD instal files from http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/
Stellarium from http://www:stellarium.org
Stellarium Scope from http://www.bytearts.com/stellarium/
ASCOM drivers from http://ascom-standards.org/


Good thing is its freeware except for Stellarium Scope, they ask for a donation of $25.
Have a look great alternative to spending 100's$ on software then can spend it on necessary things like guide scopes etc :biggrin:

Adrian

[Radar]

It must be a buzz controlling the mount with the computer. My cable arrives this week for this. I'm glad you posted this information about what's needed though. I had similar problems trying to figure out exactly what was needed for my G11 Gemini. Once I'm all setup, I'll do a similar thread for Losmandy.

Ray

[trevorw]

hI

what STEPS ARE INVOLVED IN GETTING AN eq6 TO to be controlled by Stellarium

Thanks

[Adrianf]

Install ASCOM drivers from http://ascom-standards.org/

Install EQMOD install files from http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/

Install Stellarium from http://www:stellarium.org V0.9.0 (V 0.10.0 doesnt work yet as far as I can tell)

Install Stellarium Scope from http://www.bytearts.com/stellarium/

Connect your EQ6 to a serial port on your PC/Laptop turn on EQ6 and put into PC Direct Mode and then run Stellarium Scope, you can set Stellarium scope to start Stellarium everytime you start Scope (convenience?) In EQMOD, that should load up with Stellarium Scope, Unpark the scope. In Stellarium select object you want to look at and then press CTRL 1 together, Scope should then ask if you wish to sync or slew select slew and providing everything is OK your scope should slew to the object and if your scope is aligned should track the object.

Adrian

[trevorw]

Thanks once I get my laptop back from my daughter I'll try it I don't have a serial port on the latop though so can I plug it into a the RJ45/rj12 connector or do I need to get a USB to serial adaptor

:wink:

[Adrianf]

Dont quote me on this but I think you might need a USB to Serial adaptor. But I am not sure if it will work tho. I am not an expert.

Adrian

[trevorw]

Thought I'd try it through the PC which has a serial port chose COM1, loaded the Eq6 mod ascom driver set location com port etc but could not get Stellarium Scope to connect to the mount. Looked like Stellarium was having a problem loading something.

This is the process I did

loaded ascom platform
loaded eqascom driver 114v
loaded Stellarium Scope
installed Stellarium
run Stellarium scope
selected driver
set location in ascom platform
selected connect

I assume this works on an unmoded EQ6 with Syncan

:crazy:

[Adrianf]

Yes does work with unmodded mount you just need to put the mount into "PC Direct Mode" on the handpiece. And you need to use the cable supplied with mount connected to the handpiece.

Adrian

[trevorw]

Yes does work with unmodded mount you just need to put the mount into "PC Direct Mode" on the handpiece. And you need to use the cable supplied with mount connected to the handpiece.

Adrian

Yes did that just making sure following thr right steps

:smile: