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

Bi-monthly release with minor bug fixes and improvements

Issues or general comments of the new Raspbian Based Stellarmate 1.5.0

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That honestly baffles me. I imaged again last night and my rig is ~60ft away from the WiFi extender I am using for coverage in my backyard. So definitely not ideal conditions, with distance, extender and all.
Nonetheless, the INTERNAL 5GHz WiFi of the Pi4 never had any trouble whatsoever with that constellation.
I get consistent connection speeds of ~ 390 Mbs, which makes for a very snappy response via VNC. I am running KStars on the Pi4 directly.
I can only wonder whether the poor connection many people here are describing is the result of either a subpar power supply that cannot pull the Amps the Pi4 needs to run at full speed, or whether it is somehow related to the OS. I am using Ubuntu 18.04 as my OS on the Pi4.
Maybe the key is the power supply. I am using the one that came with the Canakit when I originally ordered the Pi4. Rated to 3.5 Amps.

www.amazon.com/CanaKit-Raspberry-Power-S...-USB-C/dp/B07TYQRXTK
4 years 3 days ago #51163
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@rishigarrod: Just popping prior post on issues between USB3 and Wifi at 2.4Ghz. It's not clear whether you're using the Pi4's USB3 ports, and you didn't say whether your wireless is using 2.4Ghz. If yes to both, it's most likely that you are experiencing RF interference. This has nothing to do with SM 1.5. It's solely a function of Pi4's USB3 close proximity to the internal wifi antenna. See this prior post for details and workable solutions: www.indilib.org/forum/general/6576-pi4-u...erference.html#50509
FWIW, after adding a direct ethernet cable from laptop to Pi4 (lured by speed improvement), I'd never go back to wireless now unless it was an absolute emergency ! Clear skies...

p.s. For Jo, I'll note that although power supply can be a problem (lots of prior posts on poor power issues), when it's Pi4, USB3, and wifi at 2.4Ghz, it's almost certain to be RF interference (and NOT power). Similar symptoms though, so it can be very confusing. Folks need to take note as they migrate to Pi4 with USB3 since 2.4Ghz wireless is everywhere, and people don't necessarily think to take action to switch over to 5Ghz.
Last edit: 4 years 3 days ago by Doug S. Reason: typo
4 years 3 days ago #51164
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Yeah... the speed difference and reliability keeps me hardwired. I'm spoiled now. 11MB/sec vs <1-4MB/sec
4 years 3 days ago #51165
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Thanks, Doug! I had forgotten about the WiFi interference problem. Never had it, since it felt natural to connect via 5 GHz only. 2.4 GHz WiFi is just too slow. About 6 times slower.
Anyway, just to let everyone know not to give up on the internal WiFi of the Pi4. It works great on 5 GHz and it is not weak at all.
4 years 3 days ago #51166
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what makes the difference between astroberryserver and stellarmate ? astroberry runs fast and smooth. stellarmate is laggy and slow. almost ususable.
Last edit: 3 years 11 months ago by Andreas Willi.
3 years 11 months ago #52126
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still having trouble getting an update to complete.

this command didn't get it done either.
3 years 11 months ago #52774
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apt-get dist-upgrade alone is not enough to update the packages on a deb based system. Try

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade -y


HTH, Wouter
3 years 11 months ago #52775
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Hi, I'm new here (both in the forum but on astrophoto as well) and thought I'd share my experience using Stellarmate on Raspberry PI4 and MacOS.

I've tried several combinations to try to find a stable one that doesn't crash or freezes.

My current setup:

Software:
- Stellarmate 1.5.3
- MacOS Catalina 10.15.5
- VNC Viewer 6.19.107 (over WiFi)

Hardware:
- Raspberry Pi 4, Model B, 4GB
- Official Raspberry Pi 4 Power Supply / 5.1V / 3A / USB-C
- FLIRC Raspberry Pi Heatsink Case
- Adafruit PiRTC DS3231 RealTime C
- Ethernet cable to home LAN
- USB-HEQ5 PA Interface (USB to serial cable)

Astrophoto stuff:
- HEQ5 PRO Mount (connected via EQMod Mount)
- ZWO ASI294MC Pro
- ZWO ASI120MM-S (as guiding cam)

I tried KStars 3.4.3 for MacOS (recommended by Stellarmate) but when connected to Stellarmate via Ekos it was quite unstable. If I left the computer for a couple of minutes it seemed it kind of lost the connection for a while and then sometimes managed to reconnect again when I did something like trying to click another tab in Ekos or so. I could not really be sure if an ongoing capture sequence was working properly or not. Sometimes it never reconnected an I had to restart everything. When I tried looping captures or running video it crashed immediately.
It's a pity since the user interface felt better in MacOS KStars than directly in Stellarmate (via VNC). It was somewhat more stable when connected via Ethernet (cable) but not entirely stable.
Anyone else has the same experience?

The only stable setup so far is as below:

- The Rapberry Pi connected by ethernet cable to my home LAN.
- Running VNC from my MacBook (connected on my home WiFi) to run Stellamate's local KStars and Ekos.
- The ASI294 connected directly to the RPi's USB 3.0.
- The ASI120 guiding cam connected to the ASI294's "USB2.0 Out" connector.
- The ASI120's ST4 cable connected to the mount.
- The mount connected (via USB-HEQ5 USB/Serial cable) directly to one of the RPi's USB 2.0 connectors.

This setup has been really stable. When I try to use the RPi on WiFi it randomly freezes. I have only tried on 2.4GHz though since I though that should be more stable, but I now read in this thread that 5GHz might be more stable? I'll definitely try that, since using the extra ethernet cable is a bit of a hassle.

EDIT: I can confirm that after about 24 hours of testing it seems really stable over 5GHz WiFi as well! :-)

I've also tested using a couple of USB 3.0 hubs (with external 2A power) since I thought that was causing instability, but it seems equally stable to connect the ASI294 directly to the RPi's USB 3.0.

// Åke
Last edit: 3 years 9 months ago by Åke Liljenberg.
3 years 9 months ago #55714
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Stellarmate works like a charm for me on a Pi4.
It would be lovely if I could use my Polemaster on the Pi as well.
The software from QHY for the Pi is written for Ubuntu and I can't manage to make that work on Stellarmate 1.5.3 (Raspbian).
Any ideas?
3 years 9 months ago #56128
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The Polemaster works just fine on the Pi4. Use the internal polar alignment module and select QHY CCD as an auxiliary attachment. It will directly recognize the polemaster.
Then just use with the polar alignment module in the solver tab.
I do it all the time. No other software required. Works like a charm with Kstars as is.
Jo
The following user(s) said Thank You: Rob
3 years 9 months ago #56129
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Also PoleMaster is available by default in StlelarMate, it's in the Menu --> Education
The following user(s) said Thank You: Rob
3 years 9 months ago #56131
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Hi,

Also using Stellarmate on a RPI4 , have it mounted on top of the telescope with a USB power unit so totally portable . I am using the Flirc case I had to turn it upside down and all my WiFi issues were solved. The RPI4 is a lot faster than the RPI3B I was using.

How did you fit the RTC I used it with some wires and just wrapped it in some tape . Not much room in the Flirc case.

I am using Kstars on a Macbook Pro with MacOS Catalina and works well mostly but does crash when capturing images/video as you have had the same issue. I did report that problem here also. I tried versions 3.4.3 and also an older 3.4.1 still crashes at times when capturing images.

To get around that I run ccdciel for imaging still using Kstars/Ekos for Platesolving and mount control.

I am using ZWO camera, filter wheel and a AZEQ6 mount.

Cliff
3 years 9 months ago #56147
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