Version 0.92g Readme.... * * * * * 0.92g * Made a message if you're going to turn on the Track Sidereal Only. * Fixed a few issues with the TCP protocol and added J2K goto's and sync, along with a coordinate epoch conversion. * Now the abort TCP command stops a park command too. * Fixed the SetTrackMode command to work as advertised. * Now MotorsToAuto tcp command doesn't put to blinky instead of to auto. * 0.92f * Fixed exception when uplugging a connected focuser. * * 0.92e * fixed exeption when clicking on Add GoTo, etc, in Script, if Junk.Script did not exist. * * * * * * * * 0.92c * IF controller locations are zero (assume a fresh power up) AND you don't have absolute encoders selected in configuration, * THEN On Startup of SiTechExe, SiTechExe will restore the motor positions to the last motor positions on the last Exit of SiTechExe. * So, if you shut down SiTechExe, and turn off the controller (in that order), SiTechExe will "remember" the motors and scope encoders positions. * If you shut down the controller first, this will not work, because SiTechExe needs good communications to have a valid motor position on shutdown. * * Added Temp Compensation Control to AutoFocus (first turns it off (if it's on), then afterwards, restores it). * * 0.92b This installer updates LXToSiTech, so large negative guide values for Mgn, Mgs, Mge, and Mgw can pulse guide using axis's instead of just RA and Dec. * Now if you pulse guide with negative durations, it will effect the axis's, NOT RA and Dec. * * 0.92a * Added option to send the APEC worm angle to Pempro, or the old PEC. * This is a checkbox in SiTechExe Config/ChangeConfig * Now you can read a PemPro file in APEC (not sure yet, whether to invert or not, so put an option there.) * 0.91zb * Made the ScopeTime work much smoother, and took a lot of complexity out of it. * Working on Auto PEC control. There's a chance it may work, but I haven't test on the sky yet. * Fixed a pulse guide issue on the Right Ascension if the Pulse Guide stopped the motor (east at close to the sidereal rate) * * * * 0.91Ya * Made satellite tracking logging be more organized, filename is norad number, there is a new folder named "SatTrackLogs" * You can right click on the Log Checkbox to open the folder. * Added the Tracking log option under Config/ChangeConfig/Ascom and Logging/ * 0.91Y Date, 2016-12-05 * Fixed issue with southern hemisphere and the sunflower routine that calculates the best locations for calibration points. * * 0.91Xe fixed quite a few things when testing all of the ascom extension methods and properties. Dave Rowe made an update to PlateSolve3. There was an issue with a possible error on some Fits Headers. Now we're at version 3.48 of PointXP3 Moved the VBS script files to a sub folder, and copied all of Dans vbs scripts to this subfolder Changes in 0.91Xc from 0.91W * 0.91X and Xa, Xb, Xc and Xd * Xd: Recompiled for DotNet4, 'cuz it didn't seem to work with DotNet4.5 on a 32 bit machine. * Made SkyView Colors come from file, that can be edited * Made MaybeDestination bug flash while Goto/Sync window is up. * Made it not jump on addition of a calibration point (changed the RA and Dec Setpoint) * * "first true means perform a goto. Second true means track the object * Added Asteroid Searches to CommandString("SearchAsteroid, 2010 RJ43, true, true"); * Added Comet Searches to CommandString("SearchComet, p/2009 k1, true, true") * Added Database Searches to CommandString("SearchDatabase, m15, true");// the true means perform a slew to the object * now if you mouseover a planet, it doesn't display a false magnitude. * Hopefully found a better fixed-pitch font for the list boxes in Comet Selection, Asteroid Selection, and satellite selection * * Hot Key to bring back windows to the main screen. * The problem, if you have dual screens, and have skyview etc on other screens, * now you use remote desktop and only have one screen, you can't see the other screens * that may be off of your new screen. * * So to use, this, alt tab (or windows taskbar) and make SiTechExe Main window be the current window * (This window may be invisible if on another screen you don't have). * Now press 'Alt/Home' * This will bring back the PlateSolve3 window if available, SkyView window (if available), * Script window (If available), and the SiTechExe main window. * * Possible false platesolve of Position and size are now discriminated.... * Made sure it's impossible to have an init with a false platesolve without human interaction. * Made it possible to set up the camera F.O.V. after a possible false solve because of size. * This involved a new button... * Added Ascom CommandString "DoAutoFocus, 4.4" to have a 4.4 exposure len. * Added option to cancel a wait command in Scripting * Made Satellite List Selector for LEO's * Compiled for DotNet 4.5.2 * Now the Script Timer doesn't read the maxim camera each loop. * Added download satellite TLE's, and get Norad Number from internet to Satellite Screen. * Made the satellite tracking work a lot more accurately. Changes in 0.91W from 0.91T * 0.91W * If the motor offsets are larger than 2,000,000,000, then we force them to zero * in Setup, Made the SiteLat and SiteLong decimals be copyable (turned them from a label to a read only textbox). This is still considered to be a Beta Version, please keep that in mind. * 0.91Vc * Added ASCOM CommandString GoToPark 1, 2, and 3. This won't officially park the scope, just moves it there. * Added ASCOM DoAutoFocus return results * Added ASCOM DoPlateSolve return results Fixed a floating point number in config, should have been an int. Comets and Asteroids are part of SkyView now. Please read the help file in the Orbits Menu of SkyView. I will be adding the asteroid files from the minor planet center in the next release. Added J2000 coordinates display when doing GoTo/Sync. Added a Precession/Nutation/Aberration calculator. It's on the Config/ChangeConfig/Potentiometers page. Added ecliptic to the skyview (might be a funny bug once in a while) Now if you rightClick park, and the click park 1 position, it will move there, but won't officially park. Added ability to use a specific HTTP camera, for the Atlas telescope on Haleakala. Every SiTechExe window has a Help button or if the screen is crowded, a button simply labelled "H". I encourage you to read these. I just made new Help files, and edited old ones, so they should all be helpful and up to date. Did I mention read the help files? In your SiTech Data folder, under Help Files, there is a file called SiTechTelescopeDriverDocument.rtf This is a compilation of ALL the help files, and also, some extended commands that are available, via the ASCOM interface. Version Information: * * * * * * 0.91U ability to use an http:// camera * 0.91T * Fixed some help file documents * Fixed CanSetPark property * Added Main Help to features tab * Added a button to open the data folder in the SiTechSetup ScopeInfo tab * Added View ReadMe file button in the SiTechSetup ScopeInfo tab * 0.91S * Made a way to do an init (sync) from CommandString(DoAPhotoOffsetInit) no init window * Made a way to do an init (sync) from CommandString(DoAPhotoCalibrationInit) no init window * Now SkyView remembers where it was last on start (again). * * 0.91R * Made a way to do an init (sync) from CommandString(DoAPhotoInit) * Old PXP can read files without the AltAlt parameter * Tried to make Save AutoLoad.pxp button work, but it seems like PointXP ActiveX leaves the file open. * Made the SkyView Defaults have better Object Enables, like galaxies, RA/Dec lines, etc. * Made Default Meridian Overlaps be better numbers. * The help files location has been changed to C:\YourProgramDataPathWhateverThatMayBe\SiTech\SiTechExe\HelpFiles\ There is now a Linux version available! It works under Mono. Just let us know if you want to try it. New between 0.91P and 0.91N * * * * * * 0.91P * Fixed ServoII limitsSwitche indicators being mixed up, RA and Dec * Added ServoII limit switch info to the "Controller Stuff" window. * Made the old PointXP work with an alt-alt scope. * Fixed meridian flip bug, where it would wrap around (Dave Lane from ECU discovered this) * Made the track telescope option on SkyView sticky. * Made the Default Skyview (if there isn't a config file), be reasonable options * Made the tracking stop after 10 deg's of tracking, if SiTechExe crashed, or serial port unplugged. * New between version 0.91N and 0.91K: * 0.91N * LINUX! Making it work under linux and mono (with reduced features). You need to use a differently compiled version, please contact us if you want to try it. * SKYVIEW: made the skyview a lot faster, and got rid of the overlay. Now it uses more memory! Made a static f.o.v. indicator on SkyView. Made a Zoom previous command in SkyView. Made more zoom options on the right click menu. Now SkyView Zooms from menu (used to be buttons), keep the screen centered. Skyview has menu now, instead of all the buttons. It's a lot less cluttered. Fixed the satellite track on skyview going past the 10 degree altitude limit. Found and fixed that planets weren't being precessed/nutate/aberrated to JNow Made the F.O.V indicator read properly when East/West is swapped You can now read the FUTURE calibration points in sky view, and also do goto's to them. Don Westergen's Suggestion. * MISC Made the RA and Dec under GoTo/Sync be sticky. Also, re-arranged the J2000 so it changes the RA/Dec on GoToSync. Someone Found a bug in SiTechDll ascom driver, you couldn't send CommandBool, CommandString, or CommandBlind without optional RAW parameter. This is fixed. Dave Lane found a bug where a 2nd or 3rd instance of the SiTechDLL.dll ascom driver would have an exception when reading the TargetRightAscension and TargetDeclination Changed Rads2Time and Rads2Degs routines to use the modulus instead of adding/subtracting Pi*2. This was because if there were noisy or unconnected scope encoders, it could literally hang the system. In Controller stuff, you can now display the scope and motor encoders in raw ticks, offset raw ticks, raw angle, offset raw angle. Now the Joystick DLL is only loaded if you have it selected (SiTechExe boots up faster if you're not using the joystick) Changed the scheme of tracking (mainly will affect declination), when there is backlash involved. The corrections now try to not activate the backlash by about 2 ticks. This means your declination error (SAxis Error) will be reading up to whatever 2 ticks in error will make, before it will decide to activate a direction change. * SATELLITES: Found and fixed bug in reading a TLE file file with spaces instead of numbers in the Norad field. Now loading satellites into the listbox is faster. Hopefully found a better fixed pitch font for Satellite Listbox. Made buttons for the sorting of the satellite data. Previously they were 1 clickable label, but the clicks didn't line up sometimes. Now you can paste in a TLE in the textbox and click the "Load TLE Above" button. CONFIGURATION: Turned comm port into a string instead of an int in config. Now we allow it to be an int in the configuration as well....(backwards compatible) Made the graphic in SiTechExe/Config/ChangeConfig/HorizonFile be faster and better. On some systems, the horizon line was not lined up with the "sky" on the SiTechExe/Config/ChangeConfig/HorizonFile graphic. This should be fixed. * SCRIPTING: Made Image File Appearing work better, when you make a script with that selection. Always deletes the default image before an exposure, to make sure you don't solve on the wrong image. Not using CalPointsXP any more. We made a new built in function based on the golden ratio, and a few other things. New between version 0.91a and 0.91K: * 0.91K * Now the RunScriptOnError is blocked if intentional blinky. * Added Controller Reset to enable RunScriptOnError * Now doesn't initialize on startup unless absolute encoders selected. * * * 0.91j * DestinationSideOfPier is measured without the trackpast area now. * Fixed SideOfPier bug that appeared recently. It wouldn't do the flip properly. * Added better Ascom logging of SideOfPier get and set * Made Restore the frame size to MaximDL, to save possibly ruining a run of exposures * Fixed the RA being over 24 or under 0 in doManualFlip area * Made the SideOfPier.Set work if it's looking east, and the current HourAngle is in the trackPast area as well as the Fuzzy Area, it will perform the proper flip. * Changed polite and precise modes, so while slew segment 1 is finished, it won't ALWAYS update the motor encoders. * * 0.91h * Make limit for microns in autofocus be bigger than 3000 (50,002) * 0.91g * fixed the Satellite Commands to SiTechExe, the SatelliteInformation always returned the RA and Dec of the current julDay * * 0.91f * Fixed bug in atoi in satellite tracking, the inclination was wrong if less than 10.0 deg's. * 0.91e * Now an IsPulseGuide doesn't make the ascom slewing property be true (phd Guiding version 2 issue) * * 0.91d * Commented out a call to APEC that had an exception sometimes. * * 0.91c * Clicking on the file path or data path in the Setup will bring up a file browser. * Working on APEC * If not a GEM, and secondary axis is past its pole (zenith on alt/az, north (or south) pole on equatorial, horizon on alt/alt) * we don't track, and we wait for a goTo, which will force the secondary axis back across its pole. * * * * 0.91b * Fixed spaces in filenames in "view with PlateSolve3" PlateSolve3 Catalog locations! This is important if you want to use PlateSolve3, (I highly recommend it). PlateSolve3 (PS3), does very fast all sky plate solves (Thanks Dave Rowe!) The Star catalog for PS3 is about 2.1 GBytes zipped up. You can try to download it here: http://siderealtechnology.com/PlateSolve3Catalogs.zip If that doesn't work, we're trying to set up a public FTP, when we get it working, we'll announce it on the list. Anyway, you need to unzip it, and it has to be in an exact location. In the following paragraphs, we're trying to say where the folders MUST be. On most U.S. computers, the folders are here: C:\ProgramData\SiTech\, But your mileage may vary. Sometimes it's: C:\users\AllUsers.windows\application data, and there's a variety of others where windows puts this folder. You have to figure where the data files for SiTechEXE is, then going up one level. In the following discussion, I'm going to call it: C:\YourProgramDataPathWhateverThatMayBe\ You can find this SiTech Data folder by running SiTechExe, clicking on the Config tab, then Click on Change Config. Now look at the path in the top textbox labeled "Folder for SiTech.cfg" Copy everything from the C: up to but not including the SiTechExe, then paste it into a MyComputer browser. That's where the catalog files MUST go. The unzipped files should go here: C:\YourProgramDataPathWhateverThatMayBe\SiTech\PlateSolve3Catalogs When you unzip the files, sometimes it will make a folder under a folder, like this. C:\YourProgramDataPathWhateverThatMayBe\SiTech\PlateSolve3Catalogs\PlateSolve3Catalogs WRONG!!! This is Wrong, and won't work Again, the files must be here: C:\YourProgramDataPathWhateverThatMayBe\SiTech\PlateSolve3Catalogs In the above folder, there are 3 sub folders: Orca UC4 UC4Mag14 Make sure your PlateSolve3 catalog files are right exactly as above. Ok, on to the UCAC3 Catalog files. These catalog files are used if you DON'T select "Use Platesolve3" in the SiTechSetup. Also, these are used if you zoom in far enough to the SkyView, so consider them important. You can download the files here: http://siderealtechnology.com/UCAC3PS.zip Again, we'll try to set up a FTP for those soon. And again, these unzipped files need to be in a certain position. C:\YourProgramDataPathWhateverThatMayBe\SiTech\UCAC3PS And again, make sure it's not another UCAC3PS folder under the UCAC3PS folder There should be a total of 181 files in this folder. Note: As an option, or with a new controller, we're going to be sending this installer on a thumb drive, and then it will install these catalogs automatically. IMPORTANT for GEM USERS, a 90Wd change. The Meridian Overlap has changed, now instead of one parameter, there are 5 parameters. OVER Pole, there are 3 parameters. Meridian Limit West Meridian Limit East Track Past Meridian UNDER Pole, there are 2, but the Track Past is also used. Meridian Limit West Meridian Limit East You MUST set these up for your system. The settings follow the standard procedure for the Hour Angle, except are in Deg's instead of Hours. Here's a description. For your Meridian Limit West (OVER Pole), if you put in 10:00:00, and if you put a TrackPast Meridian of 05:00:00, it will limit the goto's to 10 deg's West of the meridian, but will track up to 15 deg's west of the meridian, if your scope is "Looking East". For your Meridian Limit East(OVER Pole), if you put in -10:00:00, it will limit the goto's to 10 deg's East of the meridian, if your scope is "Looking West". The above two settings can be a negative number, designed for offset GEM mounts. For your Meridian Limit West (UNDER Pole), if you put in -175:00:00, and if you put a TrackPast Meridian of 05:00:00, it will limit the goto's to 5 deg's West of the meridian (under the pole), but will track up to 10 deg's west of the meridian, if your scope is "Looking West". For your Meridian Limit East(UNDER Pole), if you put in 175:00:00, it will limit the goto's to 5 deg's East of the meridian, if your scope is "Looking East". You will be able to see the settings in SkyView, there are lines drawn for the GEM Meridian Flip Limits. If you want to track a solar system object, you must click on it, in the SkyView, turn on the "Track Object" checkbox, then perform a GoTo. As soon as you do a goto to another object, the tracking rates are cancelled. You can see the current tracking rates in arc Secs per Second of time in the info box on the SkyView screen. In the Satellite Tracking screen, there is a new "autoGain" feature. You set up the upper error limit and the lower error limit, and then a HI gain value, and a low gain value. Now when you track a satellite, if the position error goes more than your upper limit, the gain will go to your higher setting, until the position error goes down below the lower setting, then the error gain will go back to the lower limit. The tracking is smoother with lower gains, so what this does, is allows a low gain, and you can make a smoother video of the satellite, but if the position error gets too great, it will jump back, fast, then use the lower gain. I've found that a gain of 0 (it runs from the satellite Rate only) works pretty well, once the error is low. Here's a list of what's been done since 090A: * * 0.91a is the same as 0.90XHe. I think I'm going to release it. * Updated all of the help files. * Made new installer. * 0.90XHe * * * Fixed being able to enter clock calibration rates which made an exception in the clock slider. * Changed the ScopeTime, and also accessing the ScopeTime * Made default location coordinates in SiTech.cfg to be Shepherds Lair Observatory: * https://www.google.com/maps/place/45%C2%B019'29.0%22N+122%C2%B018'51.1%22W/@45.3251412,-122.3144418,213m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0 * Fixed bug in Display Help not displaying after an empty line. * Added CommandString("SyncToCoordinates2000, 23.234, -14.34", false); * Added Context Sensitive Help files for the configuration. * Fixed click on the CLOSE button not truly closing everything. * UPdated the Icon (thanks Taj) * 0.90XHd * * Made an option to save current model as AutoLoad.pxp. * If you are selecting a subframe, it restores the frame after the exposure, so you don't wreck someones MaximDL exposure run. * Made an ASCOMLess version of SiTechExe. This is done at compileTime in TelCon #define Ascomless. Also there's a Define in the installer. * Made CLock Slider less sensitive * Made disable the Faking of servo's an option. * * 0.90XH * Fixed sometimes a subframe would come through maxim if it had a subframe selected. * * 0.90XG * Fixed CalPoints hanging up Scripting. * Delete image file before making a new one, this eliminates possible false solves of the prior image if things go wrong. * Saved some window locations, SiTech, SkyView (size too), Script, PlateSolve3 * Updated AllRed, so all of the new textboxes, checkboxes, buttons, etc look red when you select all red * Fixed bug when reading horizon file, left partials from prior read. * Changed the horizon file circles to be 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 deg's instead of abitrary (this is in Change Config / Horizon File). * Made dTargetRightAscension and dTargetDeclination be updated by a slewToAltAz in scripting, hopefully domes will start turning right away. * Blocked "bad communication with SiTech" if clearing out LOTS of calibration points. * Made a YesNo question if you run a script with PlateSolve in it, and you have calibration points. You can clear them now. * Now we check for long LOG files, and delete them on startup if they're too long. * When accessing the ASCOM choosers (focuser and rotator), we disconnect and close any open devices first. * Made the focuser connection and disconnection be only part of the scripting. * Added Smart Slew Settling Time * Run Script on controller error or lost communications feature 0.90XF Send to bryan@pterodyne.com so he could try the pulse guide method to see if there are improvements * Improved pulse guide method * * * * 0.90XE (sent XE to chuck on 2015-11-06) * Added TelCon.NotSlewing = 0;TelCon.SlewingNow = true; to several slewTo commands, DaveLane reported it didn't * Fixed trying to open the rotator in scripting, even if there wasn't one configured. * Fixed StatusLines in PlateSolveStuff screen not updating * Added LineNumbers in auto platesolve scripting. * Added Scripting logging. * Moved Park back to main screen * 0.90XD * Made option to disable the Declination/Altitude cosines for Pan/Guide. * Made option to stop satellite tracking at meridian limit (if a gem) * Fixed satellite not on sat track (visual in skyview). * Satellite will track even if scope not tracking. Must still be initialized. * Made the Brushless Controller Mode be automatic. * Fixed Bug on Horizon File in Setup, displayed it in the proper place. * Added Insert Line in GoToSync ScrollFile * Made Data from SkyView copy-able when you left click on something. * Made Park2 and Park3 locations (Use Right Button) * False PlateSolve Detection for PS3 * Made PlateSOlve FOV Change with CenterCHop of Maxim images. * Fixed GEM initing wrong when looking east, but scope thinks it's looking west. * Now it won't track past Primary Axis scope angle of 359:59:30 deg's if configured for AzNoWrap. * Fixed SlewToCoordinates didn't have altitude limit. * Made AutoLoad PXP file disable the unpark with load of PXP file. Still will take the offsets. * Prompt with timeout if loading a cal star point after 5 minutes, or after an offset init with cal stars loaded. * Made LockToScope feature in SkyView (right click on the "Pan To Scope" button. * Made option to SkyView Open Automatically and moved button to main screen. * Made FOV indicators have a camera to camera angle and a guide camera angle. * Made new stars for SkyView! They're colored too! * Now you can edit the comment of a ScrollFileLine. (right click, or press enter in the comment section) * Now, if you have "Keep Above Horizon on Slew" checked, and the scope is below the horizon limit, it move scope straight up in altitude first, then finish the slew. * Added PlateSolve3 from ASCOM CommandString, and then a psuedo ASCOM command * Added Add WCS (World Coordinate System) to Fits Header option in PlateSolve3. Note: there is a new VBS script called TestPlateSolve.vbs that shows how to use it. * Added Help file for PlateSolve3, although we haven't written anything for it yet! * Updated the installer. * * 0.90XC * Added FOV indicators to SkyView * Added Ascom Rotator Control to SkyView * Added UCAC3 stars when zoomed into SkyView (must set up the UCAC3PS folder properly) * Added MouseOver Object Data to SkyView * Only draws Skyview One Time on entry (well, this isn't totally fixed yet! :-( ); * Fixed Disappearing SkyView Key Symbols * ASCOM focuser on Script for AutoFocus is working now. * Can force a close of SiTechExe if something is connected. * Made a new copy of MaximDLL whenever you open or re-open the script window. * Now you can bring back PS3 if you close it. * Removed Focuser and Rotator from SiTechExe * Added Parallactic Angle to "Numbers" tab * Added SubFrame if a Maxim Cam * Added Logging Controller Info * Replaced ALL "Convert.ToDouble"'s to MyConvert.ToDouble, and made it figure out the decimal point based on the environment. * Can make motors to manual or to auto from controller Stuff screen * 0.90XBa at John and Larry's request, put in encoder ticks instead of axis angle on String GetAllData(); * * 0.90XB * Added the Slew Below Horizon Limit option, still needs work, but probably ok for most cases. * Added Starting Decimal Separator as a variable, still not used too much. * Changed the ScopeTime back to a \ instead of * * Finally made CalPoints work in a coma for decimal country. * * 0.90XA * Added "SolvedAngle" as a command string option to use Ascom to get the solved angle. * 0.90WZ Used a buffer copy instead of for loop to copy serial binary buffer. * When reseting comms, it forces a stop tracking. * * 0.90WY Compiled for DotNet 4.0 again, * Made the Sleep time in the comm loop be 1ms instead of 2. * Made the priority of the comm loop process be highest. * Changed the CommLoop to read the BytesToRead only once, then for/next on variable. * * 0.90WX * Compiled for DotNet 4.5.1 * 0.90WW * Added Logging for serial port exceptions * * 0.90WV * Worked on Clock Calibration * * 0.90WU * Made Control/Arrows and Alt/Arrows move the scope. * Caught an exception in CommBase, reading how many bytes to read. * 0.90WT * Fixed one & instead of two &&'s in SlewAzimuth call. * 0.90WS * You can now edit the ServoClock manually * 0.90WR * MadeSkyWin save changes on SiTechExit instead of SkyView Exit * Made minSizeDeepSky be a saved value * * * 0.90WQ Fixed another drag mode trying to slew back with azimuth * 0.90WP Fixed DragMode not slewing primary axis. * 0.90WN Made a timeout if you can't read the serial ports in ChangeConfig. * 0.90WM Fixed Controller 1mS clock rolling negative.... OR Rolling over after 7 weeks. * made it impossible to save offsets to the config file unless scope is initialized and has had communication. * Made absolute encoder initialization to happen on successful read of controller configuration values. * Added Limit Switch Indicators for Brushless on ControllerStuff screen * * 0.90WL Made the GetMotorEncoders return the angle (degs) instead of the counts * 0.90WK If controller was sending one byte, we added the CR in front of LF. Made PEC commands work. * 0.90WJ Added GetMotorEncoders from the CommandString ascom method. if(Command.IndexOf("GetMotorEncoders") >= 0) { return Math.Round(TelCon.scAzMotEncLoc).ToString() + "," + Math.Round(TelCon.scAlMotEncLoc).ToString(); } 0.90WH Added "Blinky" from the commandString ASCOM method if (Command.IndexOf("Blinky") >= 0) { if (TelCon.AlMotorMan || TelCon.AzMotorMan) return "1"; else return "0"; } * * 0.90WF * Fixed bug in Encoder Setup. * Fixed SkyView Redraw when ControllerStuff was up. (shouldn't write to Groupbox.Text in the timer. Only write once!) * 0.90wE * Playing around with slewing to make it settle faster. * * 0.90W * * added new data base for stars and deep sky, along with star cat num searches Now there are about 200,000 dso, and about 120,000 stars (not counting zoomed in UCAC3 stars) * Fixed a few things in skyview * Made a separate GemFLip for east west. Tested it all out under the pole too. * Made an ascom exception if SlewToCoordinates and blinky mode * Update the TargetRightAscension and TargetDeclination whenever a slew is initiated * * * Made the satellite gain work again. * Stopped parking of Rotator and Focuser on park. * Script Stopped if motors go to manual (blinky) * Added Destination for Goto in SkyView * Working on PlateSolve3, got it working quite well I think.... * Made read the serial ports use the serialPort function, instead of windows api * Made reading Serial Port names faster, and blinked the label above. * Made Script Settings be "sticky" * Made tabs in the script window. * Fixed SkyView ZoomByDrag * Added logging for AutoFocus * Added Fill in stars by UCAC3 in SkyView, while zoomed way in * Added Camera FOV in SkyView * Fixed GetDoubleFromFile could exception if there was another variable with same name only longer. * * 0.90Vb * Fixed Skyview panning when zoomed to 1 * Fixed homing not initializing if started from an ascom start (changed timeout from 3 to 9 seconds) * Fixed absolute function working when direct drive motors * If absolute, unpark doesn't change location * * 0.90V Merged Laptop and Desktop This is the LT folder * Made AutoLoad.pxp automatically load on startup, if option selected * Made option for using absolute encoders (will automatically initialize on start) * Added TrackPast the meridian limit * Added Absolute Encoders won't init on unpark. * *0.90U WOrking on laptop *Added Escape Key to gp form dialog *Added escape key to multi select objects on skyview *Fixed bug where the moon position didn't progress over time, or in static time mode * * 0.90T * Fixed AtHome window not initializing on startup * Fixed AtHome sensing to be absolute location instead of could be a large negative number * Added the brushless controller uses motor encoder - motor error as the motor location, so * this software won't try to correct what the controller should be doing. * Added SlewB4Az and Al as a config variable * Fixed mixup between Horizon Files between SiTechExe and CalPointsXP. * Added Run Script after slew ended option * Corrected incorrect ascom exception if reading side of pier and not a GEM * * 0.90S * Fixed AtHome to indicate properly, added the Math.Abs( * * Added AltAlt mount capability * Added PointXP 5.31 (from 5.28 * 5.31 Modifications Removed re-calibration in ErrorWest(), ErrorNorth(), ThetaEncOffset(), PhiEncOffset() Added Calibrate(), which forces an immediate calibration. Added Close() statements to ReadCalFile() and WriteCalFile() on runtime error. Added support for AltAlt mount. Use MountType = 3. Added PointXP.IsAltAlt and PointXP.IsForkEq in order to add AltAlt mount. * Added Satellite control to both the CommandString and the SiTechDLL interface. * Added Command String "RS = Scope.CommandString ("SiTechExeStatus", false) * Added Debug stuff for Vivian * * 0.90R * Found bug in siderealtime using datetime, if milliseconds was non-zero, bad answer. * found bug in sat tracking that julday to ut didn't take into account fractions of a second * * 0.90Q * Working on the clock frequency of the controller..... * Added data from Brushless Controller to the ControllerStuff * Fixed many repaints if slow computer * added stuff to be sure the scopeBug is visible * * 0.90P * Fixed a couple of SkyView bugs when East/West flipped * Enlarged camera fov to over 20 deg's. * Fixed tracking not stopping on horizon limit if logging debug information not selected. * Working on AutoPEC * Fixed the "+" in front of declination in Degs2Rads, and also Degs2Time * Increased limit on fuzzy meridian from 45 to 90 deg's. * * 0.90N * Changed encoder supervisory maximum from 2 to 15 deg's * Changed the gain lower limit from .5 to .1 * Na * Added a permissions to the SiTech.hrz file, during full install, to prevent the error when changing the horizon file. * Fixed the RunProgram in the scripting. * Ne Added park puts manual option * * 0.90Mc Added lines to the scope position "bug" (as DonW calls it). 0.90Md * hopefully fixed the oscillation in the meridian overlap area while in polite mode. * Added the Homing help screen * * * 0.90Mb * Fixed the colors of the static time window. * 0.90M * Fixed mouse turds on the horizon config map.(that was hard!!!) * Made the scope and satellite indicators use a transparent window instead of xor. (That was hard too!) * Added CalPoints to the SkyView. * Added Config to SkyView. * Added Zoom and Pan to SkyView * Zoom in/out with mouse wheel * Zoom In/Out with Buttons * Zoom In/Out with Page Up /Page Down * Zoom in/out with Click, Drag, * Pan with arrow keys * Pan with right button, option to center where mouse click was. * Pan to the telescope position. * Made Buttons Invisible when zoomed, unless mouse is over them (Don Peckhams Suggestion) * Added a measurement tool (right button drag) * Added Time Offset to Skyview * Worked on repaint a lot, to prevent false repaints * Added AltAz Grid to SkyView * Worked on the appearance of stars * Made the star magnitudes be automatic so the screen doesn't fill up with stars. * A lot of other SkyView Stuff that I can't remember 0.90L * Tab stops in the manual entry of coordinates, so you can enter the ra, then press tab, then enter the declination. * Added a new VBS Script in the SiTech Data Folder. It is a GridSearch. You can edit it with a text editor (Just right click on it), then change the parameters as desired. 0.90K , * Fixed a rollover bug in the servoClock, there was an long and ulong mixup if the controller was powered for a few weeks/months. * Forced all processes to be EN-US, so doubles convert properly. (note to european users, USE THE PERIOD for the decimal point when entering numbers) * added option for nebulosity 3. * Widened the window for detecting if tracking, so it will stop on meridian limit if there's axis error. * Added the AllRed and colors so everything works. * PXP Button displays selected points RMS and Peak instead of ALL points * Did some work on the rotator and focuser configuration 0.90J * Made planets bigger * If SavePxp File doesn't work, message box, and also 2nd try. * Autofocus takes a best focus image at the end. * If PointXP.SaveFile doesn't work, it tries again after a message. 0.90H, Added Planets.... * Hopefully fixed the SetPark saving the PXP file, and no more PXPAX Exceptions. * Fixed Refresh of SkyView, changed from every 1 hour (thought it was 10 minutes), to every 1 minute. * SetFullFrame() added in Maxim Driver. This seems to have solved the binning partial frame problem. * Added the AutoGain feature in Satellite Tracking * * fixed AArt, added a time delay to allow AArt to run the save file script. * Also fixed a sat tracking bug I created in 90I. * * Changed Sat Tracking to use right asc and dec goals for tracking and slewing instead of CurRA and CurDec, so we don't have * two things trying to correct the location. * * Changed the sat tracking rate calculation to use not the offsets from the handpad, but the real satellite rate. This prevents a jump when moving the satellite corrections by hand. * * * fixed delays, in Scripting singleshot so it doesn't wait the full time for a photo to finish. * * Found trouble with altitude limit problem. This occasionally stopped tracking. * Found a "database" problem to not be the database, but I forgot to precess co-ordinates after a search in the skyview * * Made the offset rate adders work when slewing really fast, for satellite tracking accuracy * Enabled the error gain in config. * Made the SatTrackTimer work from the TakTimer, this makes the satellites track better. * * Made fast tracking across meridian be better. (changed from DesiredNow.HrAz to HereNow.HrAz in GetOffsetRates) * Fixed doubleEntry of cal point in BuiltIn PXP. * Ascom Altitude And Azimuth don't use PointXP, but uses previously calculated alt/az * Added local variables for PointXP.ErrorWest and .ErrorNorth * Call EncodersToCelestial and CelestialToEncoders less times. * * Added better logging for PXPAXErrors * Rounded the axis rate calculator, so it doesn't fill the textbox with a bunch of useless fractional digits * Can't move faster than slew speed with axis rates. * Added display of the TLE information, with checkbox. * Since we're displaying "ISDeep in above, we took off the two confusing checkboxes below the algorithm selection. * Fixed tracking through meridians if using offset tracking * Starting to Fixed offset time for tracking satellites Following is the release Notes from the 0.90A installer. Version 0.90A Readme.... For acknowledgments, please see the end of this file. This version is still considered to be Beta. After a week or two after release, I'm sure I'll have some more "features" to fix. However, my beta testers have all had good results with this version. This installer has installed everything needed for SiTechExe to run, but if you need to use PlateSolve2, you still have to install the database file, which is available from the Planewave Website. You can get the UCAC3 dabase here: http://planewave.com/files/software/platesolve/UCAC3PS.zip You can also use PlateSolve2 as a standalone program, which you will find VERY useful. You can read more about PlateSolve2 here: http://planewave.com/index.php?page=4 Once you install this catalog, and setup Platesolve2 with the path to the catalog, you're ready to do unattended, automatic, telescope modeling. New features of version 0.90A.... Too many to list here, for a complete list, download and read the following PDF file. Major new features: Satellite Tracking SkyView display, with database, searches, satellite tracks and more...., AutoFocus using PlateSolve2, ASCOM compliant focuser and rotator control Joystick Control!! Just enable it in the SiTech Configuration, hold the fire button down, and it should control your telescope! Trivia.... I had satellite tracking working ok in an alpha version, Chuck Shaw made the comment it would be nice to see the satellite track in a view of the sky. That's where the sky window came from, I just forgot to stop adding features! Future versions will include planets, asteroids, comets, moon, sun, and zoom. Chuck made me stop for this release! IMPORTANT! Chuck Shaw and Don Westegren put a lot of time in the following release notes. In fact, at the moment, it's the only manual for operation of some of the new features! Please download and read!!!! http://siderealtechnology.com/SiTechExeReleaseNotesVersion0.90.pdf ********************************************** Acknowledgements. Program Code Acknowledgments Genius Dave Rowe wrote PointXP, the telescope modeling algorithm. Dave's new version is an activeX. The original version was included, I line by line converted it from Visual Basic to C#. (With version 0.9, You can choose eather PointXP in the configuration under Mount Parameters). Dave also wrote the incredible PlateSolve2, which does incredibly fast, reliable and accurate plate solves, and also does automatic focusing using multiple stars. Also, Dave wrote the new PlateSolve3 program. One more piece of software, Dave wrote the CalPoints, which figures out the best positions to put the calibration points. Mel Bartels for help, especially early on, and also for a lot of advice (not to mention his telescope making ideas). Dr. Dave McClusky took my primitive code for focusing and rotator control, made a new user interface, added temp compensation, and several other features. Bill Gray from Project Pluto has provided a lot of program source code on his website. I converted his CPP implimentation of SGP, SGP4, SGP8, SDP4 and SDP8 to C# for satellite tracking, thanks Bill. Russ Genet and Mark Trueblood's book "Microprocessor Control of Telescopes" was instrumental in early versions, along wtih Meaus Jean Meeus's book Astronical Algorithms, has been very useful over time. Beta Testing Acknowledgments Well Gosh, there's too many to list. If I left you out, please feel free to drop me an email. My main beta tester, and life mentor, Chuck Shaw Don Westergren has been a steady beta tester and instruction manual editing, even to a point, drove all the way to his observatory just before this release, only to test out one "feature" that I supposedly fixed. Fortunately, it was.... Ok, that's it for now, but over the years, there's been many more unmentioned that have found undocumented "features", etc. Database Acknowledgments: The data for the stars in the SkyView came from David Nash's HYG Database: Come to find out, David is right here in Portland! Data for the NGC and IC objects for the SkyView came from Dr. Wolfgang Steinicke. Used by permission, as long as I don't charge for SiTechExe. http://www.klima-luft.de/steinicke/ngcic/rev2000/Explan.htm The data from NamedStars.dat came from Bill Gray's Guide 8. I have converted it to a different format, however, the data came from Bill Grays file named "COMMON2.NAM". Used by verbal permission, 5-11-2007. The data from Messier.dat came from Bill Gray's Guide 8. I have converted it to a different format, however, the data came from Bill Grays file named "messier.nam". Used by verbal permission, 5-11-2007. Thanks Bill! The Flamsteed and Bright Star Catalogs all 5thMagStars and 3rdMagStars came from Don Ware, Thanks Don! The data for the NGC and IC projects came from: http://www.ngcic.org/ Here is the quote from their website: The Historically Corrected New General Catalogue™ (HCNGC) Ver 1.11 Copyright© 2006 by The NGC/IC Project LLC (http://www.ngcic.org) - All rights reserved. Permission is given for any non-commercial use of this data. For commercial use (Magazines, software, starcharts), permission for limited use is granted if the following acknowledgement is provided: 'The data used in this product, in whole or in part, is used with permission of The NGC/IC Project LLC - http://www.ngcic.org' - please contact Bob Erdmann at hcngc@ngcic.org for any questions or clarifications. I have also changed the format of the data as well. Dan Gray http://www.siderealtechnology.com .