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

Bi-monthly release with minor bug fixes and improvements

Getting started with KStars EKOS and INDI

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Scratch the two last posts. That test was done while trying to make dinner :)

Have tested from start to end and redone my findings to make sure they are correct.

Started by removing .indi/Celestron GPS_config.xml
1. Reset mount and quick align.
2. Start indiserver kstars and ekos.
3. Fill in info for mount and save config.
At this point Indi control panel mount info reports tracking mode EQ-North, and Celestron GPS_config.xml reports EQN On.

4. Parking mount
At this point Indi control panel mount info still reports tracking mode EQ-North, and Celestron GPS_config.xml reports EQN On.
Nextstar is tracking mode off

5. Unparking mount
mount info reports tracking mode OFF, and config.xml is EQN On.
Nextstar is tracking mode off

6. Park mount
mount info still reports OFF, and config.xml file is written to TRACK_OFF On
Nextstar is tracking mode off

7. After this mount info will always show OFF and config file TRACK_OFF On
Nextstar is tracking mode off

Almost looks like unparking read from nexstar and sets mount info, instead of reading mount info and setting nexstar?
Have redone these steps several times, and not rushed it.
Proud owner of Observatory 17b - A remote Linux observatory.
Website: Observatory 17b
Build thread @ SGL: Starting summers observatory project
8 years 6 months ago #5087

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In my rush, I had a copy/paste error. It should be fixed now.
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8 years 6 months ago #5091

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Tested again and all modes is updated as expected.

Thanks. Now the Celestron GPS driver does everything i wanted / needed.
Have seen there is another thread about controlling menuitems so it can be hibernated remotely. But now it's safe to leave it parked as long as needed :)
Proud owner of Observatory 17b - A remote Linux observatory.
Website: Observatory 17b
Build thread @ SGL: Starting summers observatory project
8 years 6 months ago #5093

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Updated from svn lastnight and rebuilt.
Tested with CPC1100
Firmware:(recently updated)
HC: NXS 4.21
MC: 5.15

Everything working perfect except when I unpark the mount it does not start tracking again. Maybe I'm doing something silly (it was late) I'll try again tonight..
Here were the steps I followed
1) quick 1 star align manually with handset
2) Plug cable into handset & pc.
3) Start kstars, device manager, connect to scope. (running indi server & client on same machine)
4) Verify slew and sync still working
5) Clicked park (scope slews and stops tracking)
6) Disconnect INDI and exit kstars
7) Restart kstars & indi, connect to scope
8) Click unpark. (Scope unparks but does not start tracking)
9) Manually use handset to go to menu > tracking > alt-az to restart tracking again.

I'll try again later. Maybe I'm doing something wrong?
8 years 6 months ago #5097

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I checked and there was a small typo, fixed.
8 years 6 months ago #5098

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Thanks! I'll test again later tonight (or possibly tomorrow night) and update.

Thanks for all the work you are putting into this project! Its awesome. Also thanks to Magnus_e for all the work too!. I'm following your steps :-)
8 years 6 months ago #5099

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Hi.

Did a svn up a couple minutes ago and did a test of shutting everything down and hibernating mount.

What i can see here is.
1. Mount aligned and tracking in kstars
2. Park -> mount parked tracking off
3. Unpark -> mount tracking again
4. Park, disconnect, stop indiserver -> mount tracking off
5. Hibernate, wake from hibernate -> mount tracking off
6. Start indiserver and connect to control panel -> Mount status parked, but tracking EQ-North
7. Unpark -> mount unparked and tracking -> EQ-North
8. OK

Seams like in step 6. when indiserver is started the mount is set to it's known trackingmode (EQ-North), even when the status is parked.
Should it not be tracking mode off until unpark is initiated, to avoid drifting.

Confirmed the test by parking, restarting server and connecting -> tracking EQ-North.
Proud owner of Observatory 17b - A remote Linux observatory.
Website: Observatory 17b
Build thread @ SGL: Starting summers observatory project
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Last edit: 8 years 6 months ago by Magnus.
8 years 6 months ago #5100

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Ok it was a bit complicated because the tracking mode was saved in the config file. However, I just added a check to make sure tracking mode is not changed while mount is parked.
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8 years 6 months ago #5101

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Works great!

Same procedure as last test, and tracking mode still off when reconnecting.
Unparking sets mode back to EQ-North.

Hope it will work just as well for other celestron users :)
Proud owner of Observatory 17b - A remote Linux observatory.
Website: Observatory 17b
Build thread @ SGL: Starting summers observatory project
8 years 6 months ago #5102

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This is great, I'm going to try tonight!
Thanks,
Derek

P.S. On a side note I'm still investigating how to hibernate over serial. :-)
8 years 6 months ago #5103

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Just tested again indoors (no sign of clear skies here in Ireland)
Good news. All working great. I cant wait to get a clear sky!!
Tested with a CPC1100, same firmware as listed in previous post.
  1. Connected everything. HC to USB to PC Powered up
  2. Quick one star align alt-az.
  3. Started local indi server & connected to scope
  4. Verified slew and sync still working in kstars (as far as I can verify indoors!)
  5. Parked mount (Tracking did stop)
  6. Manually hibernated mount with handset & switched off.
  7. Exit kstars
  8. Switched mount back on and wake from hibernate
  9. Start kstars
  10. Started local indi server 7 connected to scope
  11. Unpark mount (tracking started agin and verified on handset as alt-az tracking mode)
  12. Verified slew and sync still working in kstars (as far as I can verify indoors!)
Last edit: 8 years 6 months ago by Derek.
8 years 6 months ago #5108

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