EQASCOM QUICK START GUIDE

Introduction
The EQMOD software has many features and it can be an awful lot to take in initially. The purpose of this
guide is to provide a set of instructions to get the very basics of EQMOD mount control working. Hopefully
you can then confidently move form that base to eplore the more advance features and applications.
!s a starting point it is assumed that you already have an interface to the mount. This can be either"
!n EQDirect#$%& device 'commercial or self build(.
!n EQDirect#)*) device 'commercial or self build(
! %ynscan handcontroller running +* or later firmware '+*.), or later is recommended(.
-f using an EQDirect#)*) or %ynscan handcontroller you will need an available serial port. This be either"
-ntegrated ./ /OM .ort 'i.e. /OM0(
$%&#%erial adapter.
Installing the hardware
Connection via EQDirectUS!
0. .lug the EQDirect#$%& into a ./#$%& port 1 install any drivers
). /onnect the output of the EQDirect#$%& to the mount2s D&3 connector.
Connection via EQDirect"#"
0. /onnect serial cable from /OM port of computer to the EQDirect module
). /onnect the EQDirect to the mount. 'M!4E %$5E TT6 %-DE -% /O77E/TED TO MO$7T(
*. -f using a $%&#%erial adapter you will need to the drivers that came with it.
Connection via S$sScan Controller
0. /onnect the D&3 to 5800 cable 'which comes with the mount( between the ./ /OM port and
the %yn%can 5800 socket
). /onnect the %yncan to the Mount using the D&3 to 589, cable
*. .lace the %ynscan into ./#Direct mode # Done by hitting enter on the ./#Direct option on the
controller.
9. -f using a $%&#%erial adapter you will need to install the drivers that came with it.
-n all cases you need to identify which /OM .ort is being used to communicate to the mount. To do this you
may need to open the :indows Device Manager and check the port assignments.
Installing the ASCOM %lat&or' so&tware
0. Download and install the latest !%/OM .latform from
http";;ascom#standards.org;Downloads;-nde.htm
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EQASCOM QUICK START GUIDE
Installing the EQASCOM so&tware
0. Download and run the EQMOD setup file. EQMOD =ahoo group members can get the latest
development releases from
http";;tech.groups.yahoo.com;group;EQMOD;files;! EQMOD 5elease;EQ!%/OM;
.ublic releases are available from
http";;sourceforge.net;pro>ects;e?#mod;files;
). 6aunch the EQ!%/OM toolbo 'start menu ; EQMOD; EQ!%/OM; toolbo
*. -n the setup section select EQ!%/OM from the dropdown and press Driver %etup button. This will
bring the EQ!%/OM %etup :indow
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EQASCOM QUICK START GUIDE
9. %elect &aud"3<@@A Timeout")@@@A 5etry")
,. %elect the /OM .ort or use the Bind button to perform automatic detection 'this may take some time
if there are many /OM ports installed(
<. Enter your latitudeA longitudeA elevation and hemisphere.
C. %elect O4
D. -n the EQ!%/OM Toolbo press the Test /onnect button. The EQ!%/OM driver interface should
appear and you should hear a slight clunk as the stepper motors are energised. -f the EQ!%/OM
interface appears only for a few seconds this implies that communications couldn2t be established
with the mount 'check cablesA /OM port assignments etc.(.
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EQASCOM QUICK START GUIDE
Installing Cartes du Ciel (CdC)
/artes du /iel is a freeA well featured planetarium program that installs with !%/OM telescope support. !s
such it makes an ideal companion to EQ!%/OM. There are of course many other planetarium programs that
can work with !%/OM and that ultimately you might prefer to use. However for a first step into ./ mount
controlA /d/ is certainly one of the easiest to get working which is why we2ve chosen it for this guide.
0. Download and -nstall /d/ +*
http";;www.ap#i.net;skychart;start
). 5un /d/
*. /onfigure the telescope interface '%etup;%ystem;Telescope(
9. /onfigure !%/OM 'TelescopeE/ontrol .anel(
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EQASCOM QUICK START GUIDE

,. .ress %elect 1 this brings up the !%/OM /hooser
<. -n the F!%/OM Telescope /hooserF select FEQMOD !%/OM EQ,;<F
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EQASCOM QUICK START GUIDE
C. -n the !%/OM Telescope -nterfaceA select /onnect
D. -f all is correctA then the EQMOD !%/OM Driver popup should appear
3. %et your observing location via the /D/ %etup;Observatory menu. Make sure this is the same
location as set in EQ!%/OM
0@. %ave your /d/ settings '%etup;%ave /onfiguration 7ow(
*urther Docu'entation
Overview of ./ control options for %ynta mounts"
http";;e?#mod.sourceforge.net;docs;./G/ontrolGOptions.pdf
/omprehensive documentation is installled along with EQ!%/OM and can also be viewed online"
'http";;www.welshdragoncomputing.ca;e?mod;doku.php(.
HelpAsupport and answers to B!Qs are provide by the EQMOD =ahoo group"
http";;tech.groups.yahoo.com;group;EQMOD;
http";;tech.groups.yahoo.com;group;EQMOD;files;Documentation;B!Qs;
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