AUTOSTAR FEEDBACK Last updated: 27 November 2007

Welcome to the AutoStar feedback page. This page is intended to provide user comments on using the Meade Autostar #494, #495, #497, cables, and the AutoStar updater software. See the AutoStar Info page for information from Meade and other users on the AutoStar, cables, and software. Send your comments and tips to etx@me.com. Remember, tips described on this site may invalidate the warranties on your ETX and accessories. Neither the submitter nor myself are responsible for any damage caused by using any contributed tips.

Subject:	Autostar 494 Dead
Sent:	Sunday, November 25, 2007 14:56:49
From:	McCauley95@aol.com (McCauley95@aol.com)
I saw your web page on the Meade Autostar.  My 494 died... I think.  I
was doing some remote observing in cold weather and I think the
batteries faded away.  When I replaced the batteries all I get is the
intro screen: "(C)05 Meade[13E] AUTOSTAR".  No beeps, no
initialization... nothing :(  Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Bill

And:

Thanks.  You really deserve many thanks for all of the great info you
have on your web page.  Too bad that Meade doesn't do what you do.

I tried cleaning the pins already (and retension the pins).  Also, I
tried the "RESET from Software" but I can't even get the Autostar to
respond in safe mode which must means that it is dead.  Fortunately, a
new controller is not too expensive.  Thanks for the response.
 
Bill

Subject:	Re: Lx90 autoguiding in Alt/Az mode with DSI/LPI
Sent:	Sunday, November 25, 2007 08:27:11
From:	John Waskiewicz (jwaskiew@sbcglobal.net)
I'm confused with the files?

shouldn't I need a spf file named Patch43gg.spf along with the source
file 43Eg.rom to build 43gg.rom? No option screen,it's blank.

The zip foldder 43gg17.zip and the the patch43GC.spf created 43GC.rom. I
moved all files to starpatch and built the 43gg.rom.

I chose to use starpach and load only the 43gg.rom but no options were
available because the spf file is missing. I assume all the default
options were then loaded.

No problem loading.

I reviewed Dicks txt file on options and could had changed them there
but didn't.

For now I will be trying out the autoguiding tonight if weather holds.
 
Thanks so much for all your help 

And:

I figured it out after sending you the last message. the 43Gc.spf  built
43Gc.rom.

Thats what Dick's new patch is...sorry for the confusion.
All is OK
 
John W.

From:	richard seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
Last night Chris Carson posted Patch43GC on his offical StarPatch site,
so if you just ask StarPatch (via its Files menu) to "Get Updates",
it will find the Patch43GC and offer the proper options.

I recommend taking that path now.  When i sent you the files, i had no
idea how rapidly Chris would be able to set up his "reference" copy.
If StarPatch asks if you should replace the existing Patch43GC.spf,
tell it "yes".  Chris made an additional change to keep the version
numbers correct.

My "17th edition" fix merely improved the "[LPI Autoguiding for Alt/Az]"
option, it did not add any new ones.  I see that my kit calls that
same option "Pulse Autoguiding for Alt/Az" .. which is a name-change
from my older terminology which persists in the StarPatch version.
(i didn't notice that name conflict until writing this note).

I agree that the manual patch choices provided by my full patch kit
are moderately difficult if you are not comfortable with editing a
confusing text file.  That's why i also sent the Patch43GC.spf file, too.
However, i find that i may have used a Patch43GA (not GB) as the basis
of my creation of that file, so that's a second reason to fetch the
correct Patch43GC.spf  with StarPatch, even if you don't (re)load it now.

>> I'm confused with the files?
>> shouldn't I need a spf file named Patch43gg.spf along with the source 
>> file 43Eg.rom to build 43gg.rom? No option screen,it's blank.

In a separate, private, email i sent a Patch43GC.spf file.
If you received that, and copied it to the StarPatch folder,
StarPAtch should have offered it under the drop-down
"Select a patch or rom file" list.

My kits us a different file-naming sequence than StarPAtch's native .spf
files... i need to keep track of my edition (hence 43gg17), whereas
Chris needs to keep track of his supported sequential releasts (hence
GA, GB, GC...).
I just checked: Chris' new Patch43GC.spf is equivalent to the 15th edition
of my kit, with the addition of the 17th edition's fix to the Autoguiding section.
It's missing the 16th edition's one-user-requested-it ability to set
the "Speed 1" rate to 33% of sidereal.

>> The zip foldder 43gg17.zip and the the patch43GC.spf created 43GC.rom.
>> I moved all files to starpatch and built the 43gg.rom.
>>
>> I chose to use starpach and load only the 43gg.rom but no options were 
>> available because the spf file is missing.

At that point, you should have chosen Patch43GC.spf, -not- 43gg.rom.
That would have provided the patch option list.
If you had (as you say above) copied patch43GC.spf into the starpatch
folder, it should have found it.

By pre-building 43gg.rom ... are you being -exact- in your file naming?
The kit should have created "build43gg17.rom" (if you used my "ClickMe" file).
If you managed to create a 43GC.rom, that was starpatch properly finding and
using the Patch43GC.spf file, and -that- is what you should have uploaded to
your scope.
You can fire up your scope, and menu to Setup/Statistics [enter][scroll up]
and that will reveal what -really- is in your Autostar.
If it says "43GC", you have the correct code.
If it says "43gg", you have a copy created by my kit, and it may be the correct code
(i don't have room in that 4-character version number to also say "17").
Only testing will reveal if it works...

I apologize for burying you in alternative copies, but that was in part
to release the "normal" kit to Mike, while also providing you with a
StarPatch-compatible .spf file as quickly as possible.

 >>  I assume all the default options were then loaded.

That is correct, luckily the options you want -are- members of
the "default" set (or at least the set in that 17th edition kit).

>> No problem loading.
>> I reviewed Dicks txt file on options and could had changed them there 
>> but didn't.
>> For now I will be trying out the autoguiding tonight if weather holds.

good luck!
--dick

Subject:	Re: Meade Autostar Model 494 question
Sent:	Sunday, November 25, 2007 05:51:37
From:	Jack Martin (jmartin298@nc.rr.com)
Thanks Dick. I'll see if I can get an exact replacement first.  I'm in
no hurry since I got this for my grandson and I'd like him to learn how
to find objects without a computer before he uses a convenience like
Starfinder.

The controller I have doesn't seem to have any update capability and you
mention telling it that the gear ratio is 4.56296 - is that an option
that can be selected from a working 494?  Mine actually comes up with a
display that then turns off after a second, so it is probably hung up. 
Did Meade not foresee the need for a reset capability?  Is there any key
combination that resets it?

Jack

From:	richard seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
You could try joining the 4504 Yahoo group, most members have
upgraded to the 497 Autostar, so they might have Starfinders
they'd be happy to get rid of...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Meade4504Telescopes/

> I'm in no hurry since I got this for my grandson and I'd like him to learn how 
> to find objects without a computer before he uses a convenience like 
> Starfinder.
> The controller I have doesn't seem to have any update capability and you 
> mention telling it that the gear ratio is 4.56296 - is that an option 
> that can be selected from a working 494? 

Yes... in the menu system you can reach
Setup/Telescope/RA Ratio [enter]
and
Setup/Telescope/DEC Ratio [enter]
and key in the numbers.  They'll be remembered across power cycles,
but lost if you select another model (or re-select the same model)
or perform a Reset.

> Mine actually comes up with a
> display that then turns off after a second, so it is probably hung up.  
> Did Meade not foresee the need for a reset capability?  Is there any key 
> combination that resets it?

Turning off after a second is not a good sign (or a sign of dead batteries).
The 494 "reset" method requires having a functioning Autostar, since
it's a menu choice of  Setup/Reset [enter][enter] .
As far as i know, there's no "hold the keys during power-up" like
the 497's Safe Load method (which is "press and hold [enter] and [scroll down]
and then apply power while the keys are still depressed").

good luck
--dick

Subject:	RE: AutoStar Suite connectivity
Sent:	Wednesday, November 21, 2007 02:58:52
From:	kath (kath@wooding.org.uk)
Just a quick update!
Mystar sees the handset!
Tried disabling everything else software/hardware, but no joy with handset!
Cheers
Ben

Subject:	re: Meade Autostar Model 494 question
Sent:	Tuesday, November 20, 2007 20:17:25
From:	richard seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
The usual run-of-the-mill 494 Autostar will probably
-not- properly operate a 4504

The run-of-the-mill 494's don't know about missing the
tripod and the "meridian flip" (also for missing the tripod)
which GEM mounts require.

However it may well serve for 80% of the purpose (you'll
just have to learn how to help it past the possible collisions).

The 494 will not know the Gear Ratio (or model) of the 4504.
You can tell it to use the ratio 4.56296 for both axes.

If the 494 comes with the word Starfinder on its bezel,
then you're in luck, since it's really for the 4504 (or 114EQ-DH).

have fun
--dick

Subject:	Re: Lx90 autoguiding in Alt/Az mode with DSI/LPI
Sent:	Monday, November 19, 2007 21:22:24
From:	richard seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
Well, it's been cloudy or raining since i returned to Seattle,
but i've finally managed to run some indoor tests to check things.

>> I hope Dick can resolve the issues with 43GA 43EB calibration.
>> Interesting that the only change is that the camera reports Polar mode 
>> always.

That is what the "DSI" patch does... causes the scope to always
report that it is Polar.  If it did not, then Envisage would
refuse to attempt to guide it.  It would revert to "tracking"
the image instead.

>> But the calibration doesn't complete its cycle. Then neither 
>> functions set target or center target work.
>> Has anyone else report this problem?

I am wondering if it is "losing the track" due to the guide
commands operating in the Alt/Az reference frame, when the
program (Envisage) is expecting them to operate in RA/DEC
(which it would if it were -really- polar mounted).

The LX200gps "gets around" this by having the Guide commands
actually -move- in the RA/DEC frame, even when the scope
is mounted Alt/Az... the 497 Autostar does not make that
extra sophisticated adjustment.

An example:  if you are pointed due west, near the horizon,
and the camera detects you drifted "south" of the star.
It will command a "north" (up) guide motion.
But, at a mid to northern latitude, that vector is really angled
partly "up" (Alt/Az) and partly "right".
(if you have a planetarium program, turn on the Equatorial reference
grid to see the sloping lines).
If you were polar mounted, "north" and "up" go the same way...
towards the celestial pole.  But in Alt/Az, "up" does not go
towards the pole, except when you are at the due north and
due south pointing Azimuth directions.
And this -really- messes up the guider's idea of "east" and "west".

You might try doing the calibration pointed due south, perhaps
at a target near the celestial equator.
Then left/right/up/down more-or-less correspond to the E/W/N/S
equatorial directions.

Remember that these patches are merely a quick attempt to override
some of the -limits- Meade wrote into their firmware and Envisage.
They may have instituted those limits knowing that purely
Alt/Az guide motions would not be properly handled by one end
or the other (PC/scope).

It is possible that guiding is only possible in some areas of
the sky (such as near the central meridian).  It is possible
you can overcome some of the limitations by rotating the camera
in the eyepiece holder so that the camera's "horizontal" axis
is always parallel to the local (i.e. that target's) RA line.

Please experiment and report, or really mount the scope on a
wedge and avoid the need for guider patches.

have fun
--dick

From:	John Waskiewicz (jwaskiew@sbcglobal.net)
I will try downloading the 43GB again and do some trial runs. Bad
weather here for the next 7-10 days. If I remember I was trying it on
Altair due nearly south when I 1st tried the program.

I will let you know when I find something out
 
John W.

Subject:	Meade Autostar Model 494 question
Sent:	Monday, November 19, 2007 12:09:18
From:	Jack Martin (jmartin298@nc.rr.com)
I'm trying to get a Meade Model 4504 reflector telescope that has been
stored for a number of years working again for my grandson.  The Model
494 controller lights up initially for a second when I connect it and
then goes blank.  Is there some inialization trick I don't know or has
it gone kaput?  If I need to replace it, can I/should I upgrade to one
of the newer controllers?  Thanks.
Jack Martin

And:

I found a relatively cheap Autostar 494 on Ebay.  One of the posts on
your site mentions that the version of software on their 494 is 1.0 (for
a german equitorial mount).  Is the software programmed into the 494
dependent on which Meade telescope it was originally intended for or
will any 494 I buy have the correct programming to slew my Model 4504?

And:

Thanks Mike.  I think the model 4504 is a DH - would that make a difference?

	the central chip -does- have a built-in bootstrapping system.
	An example of attempting to use it is here:
	http://home.comcast.net/~lynol1000/as_494_gc/index.html
	(but that brings us back to (a), above)
	
	What -can- you do?
	
	there is a model of the 494 programmed for German Equatorial mounts (GEM).
	It has "Starfinder" as the exterior label, and was supplied by Meade
	with their 4504 and 114EQ/DH-4  telescopes.  Joining the 4504 Yahoo
	http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Meade4504Telescopes/     group and
	asking there may get you one (or watching www.telescope-warehouse.com ).
	Another possible source might be the RoboScope group:
	http://groups.yahoo.com/group/roboscope/
	
	(e) buy a 497 Autostar, and use it... it knows RA/DEC mounts ("Polar")
	and GEM.  This is by far the easier/recommended course.
	
	Sorry 'bout that...
	good luck
	--dick

Subject:	Bluestar for Mac drivers
Sent:	Sunday, November 18, 2007 17:04:15
From:	Brad Burns (bradburns@mlode.com)

Subject:	Re: Lx90 autoguiding in Alt/Az mode with DSI/LPI
Sent:	Saturday, November 17, 2007 04:33:08
From:	John Waskiewicz (jwaskiew@sbcglobal.net)
I hope Dick can resolve the issues with 43GA 43EB calibration.

Interesting that the only change is that the camera reports Polar mode
always. But the calibration doesn't complete its cycle. Then neither
functions set target or center target work.

Has anyone else report this problem?
 
thanks John

Subject:	re: Autostar 497 went blank
Sent:	Friday, November 16, 2007 21:23:27
From:	richard seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
You could try a non-Meade updater such as StarPatch from
http://www.stargps.ca/starpatch.htm

That program can frequently "Grab and hold" the communication
link to the Autostar far better than Meade's ASU.

good luck
--dick

Subject:	Autostar 497 went blank
Sent:	Thursday, November 15, 2007 11:13:36
From:	Martin Munoz (martinmunoz32@msn.com)
I need help, I am fairly new to astronomy and purchased a LX90 8" LNT
with autostar suite.

the scope worked well and someone suggested I update the controller
(#497) the hand controller read:  Updating, do not turn off.

Well maybe I am just an idiot but I inadvertantly turned it off.

Now the controller is blank, I tried the safe mode and the controller
reads: flash load 3.0 ready but I can't establish communication to it.
 
Its a com port problem but I just can't figure it out.
PLease help.   martinmunoz32@msn.com    

Subject:	RE: Easy align, when finding 2 alignment stars scope did not go up in altitude.
Sent:	Wednesday, November 14, 2007 00:59:21
From:	Morris Clive Robert Edward ADN/CYLLID (Clivemorris@gwynedd.gov.uk)
Viewing Autostar's screen I found that I could only put Reverse L/R and
Reverse UP/Down on. When I had Reverse Up/down on-the scope went down
even when I pressed the down arrow key.

What you suggest might be in an autostar update?

I haven't updated the Autostar  via the internet since purchasing the
ETX90EC back in 2003. I'm not sure how to.

Thanks very much for your help so far Mike.
Clive

Subject:	AutoStar - Daylight Savings Time
Sent:	Tuesday, November 13, 2007 08:07:51
From:	Willam P. Suriano (wsuriano@sbcglobal.net)
Now that we are out of Daylight Savings Time, next time I start my
Autostar 497 should I change the Daylight Savings setting to "Off"
instead of "On?"

Thanks.  As usual, if you want the straight answer, you da man!

Subject:	patch typo?
Sent:	Monday, November 12, 2007 23:13:51
From:	Kyle D. Hunter (odiekyle66@sbcglobal.net)
I have just recently applied the the new 43gg15 patch to my 497, and
applied the 4504/114 option. When I went to the autostar menu and
selected the new scope, I noticed the alt/dec ratio and the ra/az ratios
were different. I went to Steve Bedairs site and found both ratios
should be the same. I looked at the 43gg15.txt file and sure enough
there was a transcription of digits in the ratio settings for this
scope. I can manually adjust the settings, but was wondering if there is
a way to correct the txt file to generate a correct patch file. This
will be an issue for anyone trying to use these motors with a goto mount
(like me). Any info would be greatly appreciated.
 
Kyle

From:	richard seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
Actually, the values in my kit match the values in a real 4504 Starfinder.
Meade did the digit swap, too.

I've even -asked- Meade which value was correct (many years ago,
when they still sold the 4504), and their answer was "yes".

I'll look at Steve's site to see which value he views as "correct".
(you can save me a dig by telling me which value he used).

The lines in the kit which are affected by the swap are:
R  5C5BE  FF  CC         ldd_03ca 4504 ratio  4.562963
R  5C5BF  FF  03
R  5C5C0  FF  CA
---and-----
R  5C5CF  FF  CC         ldd_0194 4504 ratio=4.562693
R  5C5D0  FF  01
R  5C5D1  FF  94
====================
If the -correct- value is 4.562963
then the last two lines of second set would become
R  5C5D0  FF  03
R  5C5D1  FF  CA
=====================
Conversely, if the correct value is 4.562693,
then the last two lines of the first set would become:
R  5C5BF  FF  01
R  5C5C0  FF  94
======================

have fun
--dick

And:

... a follow-up...

Steve Bedair's page on the subject
http://bedair.org/Autostar.html

says that the proper number is 4.56296
which is the first number in my patch kit.

Which says that these two lines:
R  5C5D0  FF  01
R  5C5D1  FF  94
===========
should become
R  5C5D0  FF  03
R  5C5D1  FF  CA

have fun
--dick

Subject:	RE: Easy align, when finding 2 alignment stars scope did not go up in altitude.
Sent:	Monday, November 12, 2007 01:01:00
From:	Morris Clive Robert Edward ADN/CYLLID (Clivemorris@gwynedd.gov.uk)
I carried out the test and the tube stayed put.

Subject:	ETX80-497 combination
Sent:	Saturday, November 10, 2007 01:47:44
From:	Henrik van Holthoon (henrik.van.holthoon@wanadoo.fr)
I suggest you set telescope model to ETX70 although the ETX80 has a
slightly higher focal distance I believe, the drive system is to same as
on the ETX70. Your eyepiece calculations with the AS 497 will not be
correct as the focal distance is not the same but this is not a problem
I never use it for the ETX105 or LX90.

I looked at my 497/105 combination but could not find models ETX60, 70
or 80 it is possible 497 recognises 60, 70 or (80) automatically I do
not know just try see what selections you get.

Success Henrik

And:

Thanks for the reply, I performed the latest update on the firmware and
now the ETX80 appears under telescope selection at setup. I don't know
if its in the update or it just recognizes the scope after connection.
But it works fine now.

The only problem with this scope now is something I wrote to you earlier
about and I think is a generic problem because of the exact problem with
a ETX60 I had. The knobs you tighten on the DEC axis to keep the scope
from slipping are prone to snapping into before you can stop the scope
from slipping, say from a horizontal position. Since the knobs are
hollow I glued the halves back together and then filled the thing up
with fiberglass resin. Did same for ETX80 before same happened, even
still it takes too much tightening to get the tube to stay in place. I
think you mentioned that the clutch disc could have some grease on it
causing it to slip and thats exactly what it feels like but I'm afraid
of dismantling to clean the disc. I may try to find the tear down
instructions I had ready to try this repair again and fix it before
something else gives. Again thanks for your time and I hope your
compensated in some way for all the time you put in on your site. What
would we do without you.  CaptGarvin

Subject:	Easy align, when finding 2 alignment stars scope did not go up in altitude.
Sent:	Tuesday, November 6, 2007 06:53:47
From:	Morris Clive Robert Edward ADN/CYLLID (Clivemorris@gwynedd.gov.uk)
In preparation for the opposition of Mars,I attempted a couple of trial
run easy aligns inside with the ETX90EC after taking our kids to Army
Cadets.

When I attempted an easy align after obtaining what I thought was Home
Position,when the scope attempted to find Vega and Aldebaran it only
moved in R.A./azimuth and did not go up in Dec/altitude. I did not
interrupt the scope and it went onto a successful alignment.

I wondered what went wrong and wondered if  I had damaged the scope
afterwards. I don't think I have but haven't had time to look.

I'm afraid I could not find the answer in your book,and looked in
Michael Covington's How to use a computerised Telescope and that said my
Home Position was not correct. I had rotated the scope in azimuth to the
stop anticlockwise and then moved it clockwise to north.

I am not 100% sure if I clamped the altitude axis before the easy align.
I thought I had.

I would be very grateful if you could comment.

Clear Skies,
Clive Morris

And:

No. I increased the slewing speed,calibrated the motors,but the tube
won't move upwards.

Subject:	ETX125 to ETX80
Sent:	Monday, November 5, 2007 09:25:51
From:	CaptGarvin (jgarvin@bellsouth.net)
I have the hand controller (HC) from a ETX125 I bought after they had
first come out. It came with 2 HCs, I kept the one with the numbers
1-9-0. I don't know the HC model number, it has the phone jack next to
the HC jack on bottom of HC. Is this a 495? I want to use this HC on my
ETX80. I have updated it to 21EK (shows "(C)00 MEADE [21E]" at start
up). Is it possible to get the ETX80 as one of the choices under
"Telescope" selection. It currently only offers ETX60,70 and LX90, or
does it matter. The fact the HC came with the ETX125 does that make it a
497? I may have downloaded the wrong update into the HC. Should I use
the 43eg update? Thanks CaptGarvin

Subject:	re: Autostar issues / ETX 125 PE
Sent:	Sunday, November 4, 2007 09:19:37
From:	richard seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
As Mike suggested, what happened was (most likely) that you "filled"
the Autostar's User Objects area.

However, due to the way the Autostar memory works, you can -not-
"free up" space by deleting objects from the keypad.
(it only makes it worse).

The only way to reorganize/compact/"garbage collect" the unneeded
memory is with the Autostar Updater (ASU).

You should -not- need to use SafeMode.
Hook up the cables to the scope and your PC.
Turn on the PC, let Windows boot and be ready to run the ASU.
Now turn on the telescope.
Just let the Autostar get to the 'welcome to meade, choose mode'
and -then- start ASU on the PC.  You should not need to touch
the Autostar at all.. the PC/ASU will wrest control when you
ask it to [retrieve data].

If ASU does not start up showing two "panes", click the
"Advanced Features" button.
Now click the [Retrieve] button.

After the handbox contents are pulled into the PC,
you can add or delete items from the right-side pane,
keeping an eye on the "space available" line beneath.
When you are happy with your collection, click [Send],
and the Autostar's User Area will be totally rewritten
with the compacted library of objects and tours.

During all of this, you do NOT need to click the
[upgrade autostar software now] button.

Full click-by-click on how to do this is at:
http://www.weasner.com/etx/autostar/guide-libraries.html

good luck
--dick

From:	julie clayton (manyworldscross@yahoo.com)
Hello.... i think I have already made things worse.. : )

I tried doing a reset, and when that didn't work, I went through and
manually deleted all of the users objects., that didn't work so I tried
doing the safe mode and that didn't work either.

Please advise what is next.  And thanks again for all of the excellent
support and quick responses.  I bet I'm back up and running by tonight
and the skies should be clear here in Central Oregon!
 
Julie

And:

when I tried to calibibrate sensors, the scope went straight up when
trying to find level.

And:

As it happens, Safe Load does not touch the User Objects area,
so the problem will -persist- across a Safe Load.

(at least Safe Load using the Update Autostar button).

good luck
--dick

i did a calibrate motor... that worked fine.  Then tried the calibrate
sensors but got same results; scope pointing straight up. 

And:

am not using batteries; am using a 12v power source.  

Auto align :  got same results, scope going straight up
 
Easy align was different:  slewed to Arcturus
 
As far as cables go, can't tell really if they are bent or need
cleaning, but I did unplug/replug everything ...
 
Many thanks.

And:

got the battery changed; calibrate motors worked just fine, but scope
still thinks level is straight up.   No problem with finding North.

Do you think the LNP is the issue?  If it is,   I don't actually need
it... I know North and I know level... it's a nice feature, but I don't
have to have it, especially if it is edgy...
 
Many thanks.

i'll try using it tonight without the LNP and see how it works out..
many thanks for all of your assistance today..

And:

The LNT battery does not get used for the Level and North operations,
it only affects the clock.

It does sound like you have a sick level sensor (which is a two-axis
accelerometer chip, unlike the LX200gps "rolling ball")

good luck
--dick

And:

uh-oh... sounds like time to send it back to Meade for repair unless you
have any other suggestions.   many thanks.

And:

Actually, i thought your earlier attitude of "i don't really
need a level sensor" was admirable.  But if you're going to
send it in, do it now (before the post-Xmas rush)

have fun
--dick

Subject:	Re: Lx90 autoguiding in Alt/Az mode with DSI/LPI
Sent:	Sunday, November 4, 2007 08:29:32
From:	John Waskiewicz (jwaskiew@sbcglobal.net)
when I 1st loaded the patch 3 minmums were
> Enable 909APM  <--blue
> DSI Autoguiding for Alt/Az  <--blue
> 10x Finer Custom Tracking Rate  <--blue
I found that if I left the 909APM out my lx90 APM didn't function,No focuser?
I will retry later with the leaving out APM and adding the
> Pulse Autoguiding for Alt/Az
> DSI Autoguiding for Alt/Az  <--blue
> 10x Finer Custom Tracking Rate  <--blue
Maybe I need to reset to enable my APM?
Do I need to unlock these patches by regestering?
I have the LX90-12 LNT/GPS and I added the 909AMP
Thanks

And:

From:	richard seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
If you have an LX90, the 909 APM should work with normal Meade firmware.
With the 909 APM, the only way to access the focus menu is to
press [mode] for 3 seconds and release.
The "tap zero" method does not work for the LX90/909 combination.

>> I will retry later with the leaving out APM and adding the
>> > Pulse Autoguiding for Alt/Az
>> > DSI Autoguiding for Alt/Az  <--blue
>> > 10x Finer Custom Tracking Rate  <--blue

>> Maybe I need to reset to enable my APM?

That should not make a difference.

>> Do I need to unlock these patches by regestering?

No.  The "registering" only speeds up the Updating process.

>> I have the LX90-12 LNT/GPS and I added the 909AMP

good luck
--dick

Subject:	Autostar issues / ETX 125 PE 
Sent:	Sunday, November 4, 2007 07:42:08
From:	julie clayton (manyworldscross@yahoo.com)
I was adding some user objects yesterday and after adding about 20, the
last item i tried to add would not save... i got an error message that
said 'not found'.  It acted as if it were trying to find the object I
was entering instead of save it. I tried it again just to make sure I
was doing everything right, and got the same message.  Did not think too
much more about it until I went outside last night, and when calibrating
sensors and finding level, the scope pointed straight up.  It did turn
to 'North'.

I read through some of the online information and tried to do a safe
load, but didn't work; when pressing enter and both scroll bars and then
powering scope on, I just got the normal 'welcome to meade, choose mode'
message.  Then started to uninstall/reinstall autostar, but because the
software seems to be a bit 'edgy' so thought i better check before I go
any further.  Many thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
 
Julie

Subject:	Lx90 autoguiding in Alt/Az mode with DSI/LPI
Sent:	Friday, November 2, 2007 19:57:52
From:	John Waskiewicz (jwaskiew@sbcglobal.net)
Hello I have a problem with the patches 3GA/GB.

when I get them to finally load they simple do not allow Autoguiding in
Alt/Az? never calibrates and never responds to any target commands like
center target/set target?

If I load the unpatched 43Eg the autoguide calibrates but can never lock
onto star and track.

set target/center target work. I don't understand what the problem is?

Any ideas why patches aren't working here?

thanks
John Waskiewicz

From:	richard seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
I will try to test those operations with my ETX90,
but my experience has been that i can not guide it due to
its very worn mechanisms.  Therefore my tests may not be
able to reveal the problem.

I shall also be out-of-town starting Monday, so i will
not be able to test for the next 10 days until i return home.

Which options of the patch kit are you selecting (checking)?

have fun
--dick

And:

thanks for the quick response.
here is a list I chose:

Location display pause
KillBrightest
Enable 909APM
100% Guide Rate
Pulse Autoguiding for Alt/Az
DSI Autoguiding for Alt/Az
10x Finer Custom Tracking Rate
 
when it failed I then I tried only the ones in blue as a minimum as a
last try with same results after a calibration attemp when the yellow
circle pops up then no response to commands like set target/center
target. It just sits there and star drifts away slowly.
 
thanks John Waskiewicz

Do NOT activate this one on an LX90:
>> Enable 909APM
(the LX90 already uses the 909APM,
and the patch can introduce strange behaviour)

>> 100% Guide Rate
>> Pulse Autoguiding for Alt/Az
>> DSI Autoguiding for Alt/Az
>> 10x Finer Custom Tracking Rate
>>
>> when it failed I then I tried only the ones in blue as a minimum 

The passage of your message through Mike lost the "blue" color,
so i have no idea which ones you left as a minimum.

Since you are using Autostar Suite to guide, you will need both
the "Pulse" and "DSI" patches.  The rest have no effect on
whether AutostarSuite will be willing to guide the scope in Alt/Az.

as a
>> last try with same results after a calibration attemp when the yellow 
>> circle pops up then no response to commands like set target/center 
>> target. It just sits there and star drifts away slowly.

I can't say that i remember ever having much luck with "center target".
My testing (mainly used for PEC training) did not require that i center
it beyond what i had achieved manually.
Clouds have now moved in, so star testing may be impossible until i return
on Nov 14th.

have fun
--dick

And:

Location display pause
KillBrightest
Enable 909APM  <--blue
100% Guide Rate
Pulse Autoguiding for Alt/Az
DSI Autoguiding for Alt/Az  <--blue
10x Finer Custom Tracking Rate  <--blue

Thanks, Mike...

Mike Weasner wrote:
Location display pause
KillBrightest
Enable 909APM  <--blue
100% Guide Rate
Pulse Autoguiding for Alt/Az
DSI Autoguiding for Alt/Az  <--blue
10x Finer Custom Tracking Rate  <--blue

That explains why it would not guide with Autostar Suite
in Alt/Az in the "minimum" set... the "Pulse" patch is
required to enable that feature.

I'll try to improve the documentation on that
(and add a "do not use with LX90s" to the 909APM text)

I'll still be trying to duplicate the failure, but at least
it's now half-solved.

have fun
--dick

Subject:	Autostar hand paddle locks with ETX-90 but works with ETX-70
Sent:	Thursday, November 1, 2007 14:38:27
From:	Qgent (qgent@hotmail.com)
Hello I have read a few books, look and read alot of web pages including
this one and because of it I got and ETX-70 with auto star six month
ago. Today I received the ETX 90EC, I tried to use the hand paddle all
all It does is iluminated the keys and display this message " Use ETX
AutoStar with this model" .. Do I need to send this unit back? or the
cable does not work with the 90 but it does with the 70?
Help.
 
Ruben

And:

Wow.. thanks for the fast answer..
I do have the hand paddle with the numbers in the key and that's
what got me confuse. I tried both paddles on the 70 I get the same
message after a beep using #494 and no beep using #497,  is too bad that
Meade no longer gives support to ETX-90C
Again thanks for your fast reply
 
Ruben

And:

No sir. with the ETX 70 both hand paddles work just fine. the only
paddle that works with the ETX-90 is the one that can work the autofocus
and had a row of red led

And:

I'm also using re-chargeable batteries on the ETX-90, would that cause
that problem?

And:

Thank you very much
Will to all of that
 
Regards
Ruben

And:

I tried to update the hand paddle and notice that it was #495 so I
updated it to #497 and now all is great.
Thanks for all your help. I learned a few new things..
 
Regards
 
Ruben

Subject:	re: WARNING: 497 handbox destroyed ...
Sent:	Wednesday, October 31, 2007 20:30:04
From:	richard seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
> reference the Warnings article "AutoStar #497 and Ethernet Cable":

If you are lucky, the only component that is damaged
may be one (or more) of the feed-through inductors
immediately adjacent to the RJ45 connector in the
Autostar ... if they test as "open circuits" (instead
of near-zero resistance) they can be "jumped" by a
small piece of wire (or a microfuse?).

You should also verify that power is still coming
out of the telescope socket... you might have blown a
circuit trace away from the scope's power panel.

good luck
--dick
(who only allows "normal" cat5 cables in his house
and work environments... all "twisted" ones are painted
with stripes and sealed in bags when not actively in use).

From:	Wolfgang Weiss (wolfgangweiss@ttnet.net.tr)
this is an unexpected lot of help! Thank you very much!

1-New principle for Wolfgang
> (he will only allow "normal" cat5 cables in his house
> and work environments... all "twisted" ones are painted
> with stripes and sealed in bags when not actively in use)!!!
2-All inductors ok
3-Crazy:
LM2931 voltage regulator input: -14,9 (minus!!!)
LM2931 voltage regulator output:: -0.49V
Reason: I have plugged the CAT5 cabel directly to the handbox! Crazy!
After reconnection of the spiral cable the voltage regulator had +14,9 V
input, the output +5,0 V (ok)

The handbox is dead, anyway.

Nevertheless I will continue tomorrow with measureing the supply
voltages of the ICs and the printed circuit's lines.

P.S.: The "normal" Electronic Controller is properly working - telescope
internal circuits seem to be ok.

Thanks once more for your efforts!

Regards
Wolfgang

And:

Thanks for the "schematic" hints - very helpful!
Regards
Wolfgang

And:

From:	Niall J. Saunders (niall@njs101.com)
Having read your letter on Mike Weasner's site, I have a 'spare'
AutoStar which I would be happy to sell you.

I am based in Scotland, and you can verify me by contacting Mike Weasner
'direct' - he and I have had many email exchanges in the past.

From past experience, it is unlikely that you will be able to get the
unit repaired - certainly not for less than the cost of a replacement.
(However, I am happy to take a look at your unit for you, as an
electronic engineer specialising in repairs).

The unit I am selling is part of a batch of 'spares' that I purchased. I
now have just two left.

Regards,
Niall Saunders
NJS Technical Services
Clinterty Observatories
Aberdeen, SCOTLAND

it would help me very much to have the possibility to purchase one of
your spare 497 handboxes.
Thanks for your help!
Regards
Wolfgang Weiss

Subject:	re: Please Help with autostar
Sent:	Wednesday, October 31, 2007 20:18:32
From:	richard seymour (rseymour@wolfenet.com)
The color coding on the two ends of the cable you listed
is correct (numerically, ignoring the outer two slots on
the wide connector, they're 1->4, 2->3, 3->2, 4->1 )

The DB9-to-RJ11 adapter is where -two- "official Meade"
cables failed in my experience... the cables were fine,
but the signals just didn't get from the 9 pin plug to
the cable socket.

Refer to

http://www.weasner.com/etx/autostar/as_testing.html
for an end-to-end test method (and check that pin 5
on the DB9 end reaches the other end of the wire, too).

good luck (caffeine helps migraines)
--dick

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