Jasem - please read. Polar alignment doesn't work on Windows client.

Hello,
Even thought this issue was reported by me and some other people over the last few months, I am surprised that other people do not complain.
Maybe something is wrong with my config?
Everything works fine in RPI client but under Windows (currently KStars 3.2.1) the PA procedure doesn't go through (it tries though...).

Symptom - start PA procedure, 3 rotations, select star, next, press "refresh" every 1 sec (tried different refresh intervals, different exposure times - didn't help),
-- it doesn't refresh. Takes a frame and then the log shows "<strong>cannot capture while CCD exposure is in progress. retry in 10 sec</strong>".
Sometimes it refreshes once if I wait long enough. Sometimes it refreshes for several frames and then stops. Sometimes it doesn't refresh at all.
At the same time, framing in the Focus module works, looping in the Guide module also works.
I have two ZWO cameras.
My guide/alignment camera is ASI120. Main camera is ASI294.

But again, it works great on RPI client.

Thanks!

Hi Max,
there must be some imaging taking place somewhere else using the camera that you want to use for PA.
I experience from time to time that a running PHD interferes although it uses the other camera. So please try to run PA with the equipment disconnected in PHD.

Another possibility: is a focusing running in parallel - or something else using your main camera? That’s wat the message says.

-Wolfgang

Wolfgang,
That the thing.. no imaging is taking place anywhere. I don't use PHD.
I am running the PA procedure using my ASI120 camera.
Procedure goes as it supposed to - takes pictures/plate solves - rotates, presents the solution.
But when it comes to the "refresh" step, Ekos thinks that the camera is busy...
At this point I can go to the Focus module and start/stop the framing loop - this works fine.
I can go to the Guide module and start/stop looping there - works fine too.
So, the camera is certainly is free to use...

Probably I have some sort of a mismatch in my INDI config somewhere.
Of course the weather turned bad and I cannot troubleshoot.

Thanks!

Hi Max,
please be so kind and post the logs. Maybe we can find the explanation.

- Wolfgang

Interestingly, it fails when I use simulators too... o_O
(currently @ KStars 3.2.2)
Attaching the log.
Fail occurs @ 2019-05-19T16:52:19.108
As with the real setup (not simulators), it refreshes occasionally, sometimes even for several frames, but then stalls forever.
If I hit Capture & Solve, it captures/solves and then refreshes one or several frames.
Thanks!
Just to remind - it only happens on my Windows client. On RPI all is working well.

Hi Max,
one thing that is strange: it seems like the GuideSimulator creates the image. Please check whether the right camera is selected. The guiding is not visible in the tab, but is it possible that the guiding has been started?
- Wolfgang

Of course it was something simple (but it's kind of a bug).

Often, when INDI starts it [EDIT] assigns mis-assigns Guide and CCD cameras. Sometimes setting both as Primary, sometimes CCD as Guide and guide as Primary.
I used to have all kinds of issues when this would happen.
So, I took a habit to check and correct for this on RPI but not so on the Windows client (since I rarely use it).

When this happens, the guide scope gets selected in the Focus Module by default and even though the Focus Module is not active this messes up the Refresh in the Polar Alignment.

If, in INDI control panel, I correctly assign guide to guide and CCD to primary then it doesn't matter what is selected in the Focus Module - Polar Alignment goes through.

I am glad I got it sorted out. Will test tomorrow for real (not with simulators).

Thanks!

knro wrote: The focus module has no scope selection... so I'm not exactly following here?

Jasem - please see attached

Wrong assignment in INDI control panel

Wrong assignment in INDI control panel



Refresh doesn't work


Once I change CCD in Focus Mode from Guide to CCD (or set correct options in INDI control panel to begin with),
Polar Alignment works.
The thing is these options in INDI CP do not stick and sometimes change voluntarily.

Thanks!

Unfortunately, no... it didn't work with a real setup (not with simulators).
Two ZWO cameras.
Same symptom. "Refresh" in Polar Alignment wouldn't refresh.
Again - that's only for Windows client.
On RPI all works fine.
Really puzzled since nobody else is complaining.
: (
Thanks!

I tested this with my windows laptop and the guide simulator was indeed on the primary telescope (as default?). But I can change it to guide telescope and click save under Configuration and next time it uses the guide telescope.

The CCD simulator uses the primary telescope in my case.

I want further wanted to test the Polar Alignment with the simulators, but I cannot do that. I read somewhere that I have to install the GSC catalog (on StellarMate?). But how do I do that? If you can help my with this I can test this also.

Do you use Microsoft Edge? I had connection issues and found out that INDI seems not to like Microsoft Edge. After changing the standard web browser, the connecting issues are solved. So if you use Microsoft Edge as standard web browser this could perhaps be the reason for your problems.