Interesting Meade Ascom Driver Project

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Gulf Coast Guy
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Interesting Meade Ascom Driver Project

#1

Post by Gulf Coast Guy »


While trying to get my mount to take GPS location data from my phone I happened on this "new to me" Mead Ascom driver Project.
https://bitbucket.org/cjdskunkworks/mea ... /wiki/Home

I was attempting to use the feature in APT which is intended to set the current locatio Lat & Long data upon making an Ascom comm's conection and wasn't having any luck.
The project is the private work of Colin Dawson. He's added a Trace feature that logs the text stream to and from the mount and saves it to a file for diagnostis purposes. Here is anexcerpt from the Intro page.
Welcome
The cjdSkunkWorks proudly presents a fully function ASCOM driver for the Meade Telescopes.

Please note, that this was originally designed for the #497 Autostar, but has since been expanded and every Meade telescope model will be considered.

will it work with my scope? - Click the link to see what scopes are confirmed, etc.

This driver has been created after discovering that the Meade LX200 Classic and Autostar #494, #495, and #497 (combined telescope/focuser, 5.0.4) driver does not implement enough features to allow the telescope to be properly operated remotely.

Specific features that were known to be missing are the ability to set the current date & time, set the current site lat and long * execute nudge commands to allow Sky Safari to control the scope via WIFI Scope or Sequence Generator Pro.

known issues that this driver also attempts to resolve * fix and issue where trying to use the focusser through Backyark EOS could cause a crash leaving the focusser running

The intention of this project is to create a fully functional driver for the Meade telescope

Whilst this driver is less than a year old, it is maturing fast and has been proven to work with lots of Meade Telescopes.
I plan to check it out this weekend and have a GPS dongle on order that will be in next week to further test the APT GPS passing feature.

Later GCG
OTA's: 203mm f10 Meade SCT (LXD75); Antares 80mm Refractor w/William Optics APOGrade f6.9 objective; Orion Starseeker 80 f11.2 Refractor
Mount/tripod's: Meade LXD-75 EQ; Orion Starseeker IV ALT/AZ; Celestron Heavy Duty ALT/AZ Farpoint UBM (Universal Binocular Mount)
Eyepieces:Meade - 26mm plossl, 12mm Astrometric; GSO (OPT badge) 2" Superview 50mm & 30mm 1.25" 15mm; TMB Planetary Series 9mm, 6mm, & 4mm: 10mm & 23mm 60° that came with the 80mm f11.2
Barlows: Orion 2x Shorty; Meade 4000 Series 3x
Binoculars:Brunton 10x50 Celestron Skymaster 15x70 Oberwerk 25x100 IF delux
Gulf Coast Guy
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Re: Interesting Meade Ascom Driver Project

#2

Post by Gulf Coast Guy »


Image2019-11-16 22_07_22-ASCOM Meade Generic Settings (0.7.9.198) by pat w1, on Flickr

standard com port selection. Added is the option to save a trace log of the serial comm's with the mount and setting the pointing precision upon connection. The Guide Rate option is mount specific.

GCG
OTA's: 203mm f10 Meade SCT (LXD75); Antares 80mm Refractor w/William Optics APOGrade f6.9 objective; Orion Starseeker 80 f11.2 Refractor
Mount/tripod's: Meade LXD-75 EQ; Orion Starseeker IV ALT/AZ; Celestron Heavy Duty ALT/AZ Farpoint UBM (Universal Binocular Mount)
Eyepieces:Meade - 26mm plossl, 12mm Astrometric; GSO (OPT badge) 2" Superview 50mm & 30mm 1.25" 15mm; TMB Planetary Series 9mm, 6mm, & 4mm: 10mm & 23mm 60° that came with the 80mm f11.2
Barlows: Orion 2x Shorty; Meade 4000 Series 3x
Binoculars:Brunton 10x50 Celestron Skymaster 15x70 Oberwerk 25x100 IF delux
Gulf Coast Guy
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Re: Interesting Meade Ascom Driver Project

#3

Post by Gulf Coast Guy »


Trace works

I tried to attach the file but kept getting an error.
18:30:56.006 ReadProfile Trace logger enabled: True
18:30:56.006 ReadProfile Com Port: COM10
18:30:56.006 ReadProfile Guide Rate: 10.077939
18:30:56.006 ReadProfile Precision: Unchanged
18:30:56.006 Telescope Completed initialisation
18:30:56.006 DriverVersion Get 0.7.9.198
18:30:56.006 Telescope Driver version: 0.7.9.198
18:30:56.022 Connected Set True
18:30:56.037 ReadProfile Trace logger enabled: True
18:30:56.037 ReadProfile Com Port: COM10
18:30:56.037 ReadProfile Guide Rate: 10.077939
18:30:56.037 ReadProfile Precision: Unchanged
18:30:56.037 Connected Set Connecting to port COM10
18:30:56.209 Connected Set Connected to port COM10. Product: Autostar Version:43GG
18:30:56.209 Connected Set New Pulse Guiding Supported: True
18:30:56.209 Connected Set Making first connection telescope adjustments
18:30:56.256 SetLongFormat Long coordinate format: True
18:30:56.256 CanSetGuideRates Get - False
18:30:56.256 Connect Precision slewing unchanged
18:30:56.303 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:30:56.334 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:30:56.334 Connected Set Connected OK. Current RA = 05:55:39 Dec = 89[B0] 59' 59"
18:30:56.349 Connected Get True
18:30:56.349 Name Get Meade Generic
18:30:56.381 SiteLatitude Set 30[B0] 31' 38"
18:30:56.422 SiteLongitude Set -87[B0] 52' 00"
18:30:56.452 SiteElevation Set Not implemented
18:30:56.462 CanPark Get - True
18:30:56.462 AtPark Get - False
18:30:56.462 CanUnpark Get - False
18:30:56.462 CanSetPark Get - False
18:30:56.462 CanSetPierSide Get - False
18:30:56.682 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:30:56.712 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:30:56.722 UTCDate Get started
18:30:56.812 UTCDate Get - 11/03/19 03:23:39
18:30:56.842 SiteLongitude Get -87[B0] 52' 00"
18:30:56.872 SiteLatitude Get 30[B0] 32' 00"
18:30:56.902 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:30:56.932 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:30:56.942 Altitude 30.5333611558509
18:30:56.942 UTCDate Get started
18:30:57.032 UTCDate Get - 11/03/19 03:23:39
18:30:57.062 SiteLongitude Get -87[B0] 52' 00"
18:30:57.092 SiteLatitude Get 30[B0] 32' 00"
18:30:57.132 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:30:57.162 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:30:57.162 Azimuth Get 0.00032087555091877
18:30:57.172 Connected Get True
18:30:57.192 Slewing Get Result = False
18:30:57.192 AtPark Get - False
18:30:57.192 Tracking Get - True
18:30:57.192 Tracking Get - True
18:30:57.222 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:30:57.272 SiteLongitude Get -87[B0] 52' 00"
18:30:57.272 SiderealTime Get - 22.5084891780367
18:30:57.302 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:30:57.302 Connected Get True
18:30:57.322 Slewing Get Result = False
18:30:57.352 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:30:57.382 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:30:57.382 UTCDate Get started
18:30:57.462 UTCDate Get - 11/03/19 03:23:40
18:30:57.492 SiteLongitude Get -87[B0] 52' 00"
18:30:57.532 SiteLatitude Get 30[B0] 32' 00"
18:30:57.622 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:30:57.652 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:30:57.662 Altitude 30.5333611760049
18:30:57.662 UTCDate Get started
18:30:57.752 UTCDate Get - 11/03/19 03:23:40
18:30:57.782 SiteLongitude Get -87[B0] 52' 00"
18:30:57.812 SiteLatitude Get 30[B0] 32' 00"
18:30:57.852 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:30:57.882 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:30:57.882 Azimuth Get 0.000320873194623112
18:30:57.892 Connected Get True
18:30:57.912 Slewing Get Result = False
18:30:57.912 AtPark Get - False
18:30:57.912 Tracking Get - True
18:30:57.912 Tracking Get - True
18:30:57.942 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:30:57.992 SiteLongitude Get -87[B0] 52' 00"
18:30:57.992 SiderealTime Get - 22.5086925082243
18:30:58.022 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:30:58.022 Connected Get True
18:30:58.042 Slewing Get Result = False
18:30:58.072 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:30:58.102 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:30:58.102 UTCDate Get started
18:30:58.202 UTCDate Get - 11/03/19 03:23:40
18:30:58.232 SiteLongitude Get -87[B0] 52' 00"
18:30:58.262 SiteLatitude Get 30[B0] 32' 00"
18:30:58.292 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:30:58.332 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:30:58.332 Altitude 30.5333611760049
18:30:58.332 UTCDate Get started
18:30:58.412 UTCDate Get - 11/03/19 03:23:41
18:30:58.442 SiteLongitude Get -87[B0] 52' 00"
18:30:58.473 SiteLatitude Get 30[B0] 32' 00"
18:30:58.520 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:30:58.551 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:30:58.551 Azimuth Get 0.000320870836621212
18:30:58.551 Connected Get True
18:30:58.582 Slewing Get Result = False
18:30:58.582 AtPark Get - False
18:30:58.582 Tracking Get - True
18:30:58.582 Tracking Get - True
18:30:58.613 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:30:58.660 SiteLongitude Get -87[B0] 52' 00"
18:30:58.660 SiderealTime Get - 22.5088782890802
18:30:58.691 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:30:58.691 Connected Get True
18:30:58.723 Slewing Get Result = False
18:30:58.832 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:30:58.863 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:30:58.863 UTCDate Get started
18:30:58.972 UTCDate Get - 11/03/19 03:23:41
18:30:59.003 SiteLongitude Get -87[B0] 52' 00"
18:30:59.035 SiteLatitude Get 30[B0] 32' 00"
18:30:59.066 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:30:59.097 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:30:59.097 Altitude 30.5333611961587
18:30:59.097 UTCDate Get started
18:30:59.206 UTCDate Get - 11/03/19 03:23:41
18:30:59.237 SiteLongitude Get -87[B0] 52' 00"
18:30:59.269 SiteLatitude Get 30[B0] 32' 00"
18:30:59.315 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:30:59.347 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:30:59.347 Azimuth Get 0.000320870836621212
18:30:59.362 Connected Get True
18:30:59.378 Slewing Get Result = False
18:30:59.378 AtPark Get - False
18:30:59.378 Tracking Get - True
18:30:59.378 Tracking Get - True
18:30:59.409 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:30:59.456 SiteLongitude Get -87[B0] 52' 00"
18:30:59.456 SiderealTime Get - 22.5091000090846
18:30:59.487 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:30:59.487 Connected Get True
18:30:59.503 Slewing Get Result = False
18:30:59.861 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:30:59.893 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:30:59.893 UTCDate Get started
18:30:59.986 UTCDate Get - 11/03/19 03:23:42
18:31:00.017 SiteLongitude Get -87[B0] 52' 00"
18:31:00.049 SiteLatitude Get 30[B0] 32' 00"
18:31:00.080 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:31:00.111 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:31:00.127 Altitude 30.5333612163123
18:31:00.127 UTCDate Get started
18:31:00.220 UTCDate Get - 11/03/19 03:23:42
18:31:00.251 SiteLongitude Get -87[B0] 52' 00"
18:31:00.283 SiteLatitude Get 30[B0] 32' 00"
18:31:00.314 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:31:00.345 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:31:00.345 Azimuth Get 0.00032086847691308
18:31:00.345 Connected Get True
18:31:00.376 Slewing Get Result = False
18:31:00.376 AtPark Get - False
18:31:00.376 Tracking Get - True
18:31:00.376 Tracking Get - True
18:31:00.407 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:31:00.454 SiteLongitude Get -87[B0] 52' 00"
18:31:00.454 SiderealTime Get - 22.5093779855674
18:31:00.485 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:31:00.485 Connected Get True
18:31:00.501 Slewing Get Result = False
18:31:00.501 Tracking Get - True
18:31:00.532 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:31:00.579 SiteLongitude Get -87[B0] 52' 00"
18:31:00.579 SiderealTime Get - 22.509412804069
18:31:00.610 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:31:00.610 Connected Get True
18:31:00.641 Slewing Get Result = False
18:31:00.875 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:31:00.907 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:31:00.907 UTCDate Get started
18:31:01.000 UTCDate Get - 11/03/19 03:23:43
18:31:01.031 SiteLongitude Get -87[B0] 52' 00"
18:31:01.063 SiteLatitude Get 30[B0] 32' 00"
18:31:01.094 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:31:01.125 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:31:01.125 Altitude 30.5333612364658
18:31:01.125 UTCDate Get started
18:31:01.219 UTCDate Get - 11/03/19 03:23:43
18:31:01.250 SiteLongitude Get -87[B0] 52' 00"
18:31:01.281 SiteLatitude Get 30[B0] 32' 00"
18:31:01.312 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:31:01.343 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:31:01.359 Azimuth Get 0.000320866115498731
18:31:01.359 Connected Get True
18:31:01.375 Slewing Get Result = False
18:31:01.375 AtPark Get - False
18:31:01.375 Tracking Get - True
18:31:01.375 Tracking Get - True
18:31:01.406 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:31:01.453 SiteLongitude Get -87[B0] 52' 00"
18:31:01.453 SiderealTime Get - 22.5096559732566
18:31:01.499 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:31:01.499 Connected Get True
18:31:01.515 Slewing Get Result = False
18:31:01.889 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:31:01.921 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:31:01.921 UTCDate Get started
18:31:01.999 UTCDate Get - 11/03/19 03:23:44
18:31:02.030 SiteLongitude Get -87[B0] 52' 00"
18:31:02.061 SiteLatitude Get 30[B0] 32' 00"
18:31:02.092 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:31:02.139 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:31:02.139 Altitude 30.5333612566192
18:31:02.139 UTCDate Get started
18:31:02.233 UTCDate Get - 11/03/19 03:23:44
18:31:02.264 SiteLongitude Get -87[B0] 52' 00"
18:31:02.295 SiteLatitude Get 30[B0] 32' 00"
18:31:02.326 RightAscension Get - 05:55:39
18:31:02.357 Declination Get - 89:59:59"
18:31:02.357 Azimuth Get 0.000320863752378176
1
GCG
OTA's: 203mm f10 Meade SCT (LXD75); Antares 80mm Refractor w/William Optics APOGrade f6.9 objective; Orion Starseeker 80 f11.2 Refractor
Mount/tripod's: Meade LXD-75 EQ; Orion Starseeker IV ALT/AZ; Celestron Heavy Duty ALT/AZ Farpoint UBM (Universal Binocular Mount)
Eyepieces:Meade - 26mm plossl, 12mm Astrometric; GSO (OPT badge) 2" Superview 50mm & 30mm 1.25" 15mm; TMB Planetary Series 9mm, 6mm, & 4mm: 10mm & 23mm 60° that came with the 80mm f11.2
Barlows: Orion 2x Shorty; Meade 4000 Series 3x
Binoculars:Brunton 10x50 Celestron Skymaster 15x70 Oberwerk 25x100 IF delux
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turonrambar
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Re: Interesting Meade Ascom Driver Project

#4

Post by turonrambar »


Hello Gulf Coast Guy,

I use ASCOM drivers with my LX-850 SL.
Also, I have used ASCOM drivers with LX-200 GPS with success.
Without ASCOM I was locked out from pairing my lap top to my telescope

Also there is a hand box update to deal with a GPS Satellites roll over
that block time and date information to the GPS receiver.

Wish you success with your observations.

kip
Meade OTA f/8 12” on a CEM120 iOptron Mount,
G10 One Shot CMOS Color Camera, QHY 2” Filter Wheel, QHY OAG, SVBony SV305 guide camera
Canon T3i 60D Prime Focus and Eyepiece Projection,
ASCOM 6.5 SP1, Windows 10 Professional
LX850 Mount, ETX125, LX200 f/10 8” GPS, Meade 6” f/4 Newton Reflector on an Equatorial Mount
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