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INDI Library v2.0.6 is Released (02 Feb 2024)

Bi-monthly release with minor bug fixes and improvements

Guiding won't start because calibration fails

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Here is a link to someone else having the same guiding error message. There was another post too with the same error message

indilib.org/forum/ekos/2482-guiding-issue.html#18490
5 years 7 months ago #28530

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I'm not sure this helps, but attached is one of my recent sessions guiding logs FYI. I thought it was pretty decent, but I'm pretty new at this.

This was with multiple targets, EKOS guiding with v2.9.7 and no problems doing autoguiding calibration. Same mount, same version of Stellarmate OS, same version of EKOS on the Mac etc etc.
5 years 7 months ago #28531

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This has happened to me several times over the last three weeks. I use Stellarmate as a wifi access point, and just use INDI to connect via my Macbook. It has occurred suddenly after a good guiding session, after slewing to a new target. I tried tossing out the calibration file abut it just failed to calibrate after that. I tried switching the "guide via" options from the guider to the camera to the mount and once this seemed to work. I had to turn off the computer and then it worked again reboot. Unfortunately I did not take notes - which is something I will do from now on. In the end I lost about two hours trying to get guiding back to work. I never tried using the STS cable, but I know the system works without it, so that's not a real solution to this specific and intermittent problem. The last session I had on Saturday, worked fine.
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5 years 7 months ago #28534

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I have calibration fail with my G-11, too. The experience that I have made is this: When I activate SUBFRAME, calibration will fail almost all of the time (it did work on rare occasions). I then deactivate SUBFRAME, calibrate again and it works 100% of the time. No change in hard- or software whatsoever. I have no idea why that should be the case as I can see the guide star move exactly as it is supposed to, no backlash at all. So the only recommandation that I can give is to deactivate SUBFRAME in case that hasn't been done already.

P.S.: I always use the ST4 port of my guiding cam.
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Last edit: 5 years 7 months ago by Alfred.
5 years 7 months ago #28565

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I also tried reseting the guiding data, turning on/off stellarmate, the mount, restarting EKOS on the Mac as well and on top of that tried guiding via the camera with an ST4 cable VS saying via the EQMOD driver which was always working. In my scenario, EQMOD is working great for GOTO, plate solving, capture and slew etc etc, so its absolutely controlling the mount.

It still wouldn't restart. I did have this once before and I cleared the guiding data in EKOS and it seemed to continue on (that was on v2.9.6) until now. Where nothing seems to be able to force it to start now......
5 years 7 months ago #28579

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Thanks for getting back to me. I also don't have any (or very little) backlash either as I've got an Skywatcher EQ6R which is a belt drive mount and I can also see the star moving as its supposed too.

I will try the activation/deactivation of SUBFRAME in my next session as per your suggestion. I've not been using it so far though.....maybe that somehow clears out the calibration data that's different to clearing it using the red icon on the bottom left (its next to save guide data icon) in the main guiding page.
5 years 7 months ago #28580

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I can't seem to get the forum to let me upload screen shots, but here is a link to multiple log files and screen shots in case this helps further diagnose the issue. It contains 3-4 log files and a couple of screen shots of the guiding tab in EKOS.

app.box.com/s/28yjhrs8ven0q3udxv0ayv48f2urf02i
5 years 7 months ago #28585

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There are obviously still issues in the guiding calibration and I appreciate your patience on this. Just please do not forget to attach the logs and describe exactly what you're doing. Because there are so many variables involved, it's not straight forward to figure out what's going on.
5 years 7 months ago #28586

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In my case I've got:
- Skywatcher EQ6R
- Celestron EdgeHD 8" with Hyperstar (FL is about 400mm with this) using manual focus (no autofocuser)
- ZWO 1600MC Cool for imaging
- ZWO 120mm-s for guiding using a 50mm guide scope
- Stellarmate on the mount using the EQMOD drivers connecting via a bluetooth module
- Mac connecting to Stellarmate and its running KStars/EKOS - I'm using ethernet because image download is faster, but it didn't matter whether I am using wifi/ethernet to connect to the Stellarmate I've found (apart from image download times being way faster).
- Kstars/EKOS is now on v2.9.7 on both the Stellarmate and the Mac
- Using EKOS for capture, guiding, mount control, plate solving etc. Haven't gotten experienced enough to try the scheduler just yet

My previous post I put a link to four log files as I seem to not be able to upload some items. They were all showing the issue and some screen shots of my Mac's screen when it was having calibration issues as well in case that also helps. I didn't get a screen shot of the guiding settings screens sorry.

Is there anything else I need to give you Jasem??
5 years 7 months ago #28587

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I noticed that you had Guide Rate in 1.5x? You set this value in EQMod? Why is it so highly? usually guiding rate is 0.5x
5 years 7 months ago #28588

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I have no specific reason, apart from trial and error. So I found that 2.5sec exposures and 1.5 "seemed" to be OK. I've had it set at .8 before too and that wasn't too bad. BUT being new, I'm all ears on what you think and what you see others doing that should be good exposure time and guide rate numbers. What do you recommend?

I set all this in EKOS and not in the EQMOS driver page (INDI drivers). Does that matter?

PS I'm going to try and setup again tonight to see if I'm still stuck with the internal guider and will be reporting back.
5 years 7 months ago #28592

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In Ekos, the setting doesn't do anything, it just gives you the recommended proportional gain you need to set for such guide rate. The actual changes happen in the EQMOD driver panel. I used 0.5x and have very good guiding with EQ8.

Ok, if you start tonight let me know on StellarMate chat when you begin and I can monitor it from there assuming you have TeamViewer ready.
5 years 7 months ago #28594

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