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TheSky6 Help |
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TheSky6 Help |
Most commercial telescope that can be controlled by TheSky require RS232 serial communications. The one exception is the Vixen Sphinx GEM, which uses a standard internet protocol (TCPIP) instead.
For telescopes that use serial communications, a suitable RS232 serial cable is must be used to connect the serial port of the telescope to the serial port of the computer. See Serial Port Alternatives if your computer does not have a standard DB9 serial port.
Software Bisque sells serial Telescope Interface Cables that can be used to connect many commercial telescope models to the serial port of a personal computer, notebook computer or Pocket PC.
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The cable specifications listed here apply to the Telescope Interface Cables sold by Software Bisque only. If you've purchased cables from another vendor, contact that vendor for cable connection instructions.
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TheSky6 Serious Edition, TheSky6 Professional Edition and TheSky Pocket Edition all control telescopes. The hardware requirements for connecting a telescope to a Windows computer versus a Windows Mobile Device are slightly different. Click on the link below for more information about what hardware is required for each device type.
Connecting Your Telescope to a Personal Computer
Connecting Your Telescope to a Windows Mobile Device
Connecting Your Telescope to a Personal Computer
A Software Bisque Telescope Cable is the only additional hardware required to connect TheSky for Windows to most commercial go to telescopes. The photo below shows the standard 12-foot (3.7 m) Telescope Interface Cable sold by Software Bisque.
Software Bisque sells two different types of Telescope Interface Cables. See the table below for details about each.
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Product Name |
Description |
Compatible Telescopes and Devices |
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This product includes the following components:
Notes
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Telescope Cable for Autostar and NexStar or Compatible Devices
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This product includes the following components:
Notes
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Depending upon which cable you purchase, the Software Bisque Telescope Interface Cable comes with one of the three DB9 adaptors. Make sure you've connected the correct adaptor to the RJ11 end of the cable.
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Note that Software Bisque Telescope Interface Cables are supplied with one or two of the above adaptors, and which adaptor depends upon the specific telescope interface cable you purchase. The three adaptors pictured above are for reference purposes only, and do not imply that three adaptors are supplied with each cable.
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Telescope Interface Cable Notes
The NexStar and Autostar Telescope Interface Cables use an RJ22 end connector, rather than the RJ11 connector pictured above. The RJ22 is a narrower connector that is designed to plug into the base of the hand paddle of the NexStar or Autostar.
The three DB9 adaptors pictured above accommodate the wiring specifications for different devices. The adaptor labeled LX200/Autostar is used with LX200 (classic and GPS models) and Autostar compatible devices. The adaptor labeled NexStar should be used for all NexStar and CGE model telescopes. The adaptor labeled BBox/SGT should be used with all Tangent Instrument serial devices (BBox, NGC-MAX, Sky Wizard, etc.) except the Tele Vue SkyTour. The Tele Vue SkyTour requires a different end connector (not pictured).
If your notebook or desktop computer has a USB port, an additional USB-to-Serial adaptor (sold by many electronics stores) is required.
Telescope Interface Cables for the PC and Windows Mobile Devices – Which One Do You Need?
Different telescopes require different Telescope Interface Cables to connect to the PC or Windows Mobile Device. The table below lists many popular telescope models, and the required Telescope Interface Cable.
Windows Mobile devices (Pocket PCs, etc.) require additional hardware to complete the "device to telescope" cable connection. Click here for details.
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If you own this device... |
You'll need this cable... |
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Standard serial cable (Available at all computer stores, not sold by Software Bisque.) |
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Telescope Cable for Autostar and NexStar or Compatible Devices
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Telescope Cable for LX200 and BBox or Compatible Devices
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Intelliscope Computerized Object Locator (Orion Telescopes & Binoculars)
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PC-to-Intelliscope cable. Contact Orion Telescope & Binoculars. |
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Losmandy Gemini-specific telescope interface cable. Contact Losmandy Instruments to obtain the correct cable.
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Telescope Cable for LX200 and BBox or Compatible Devices
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Telescope Cable for LX200 and BBox or Compatible Devices
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Telescope Cable for Autostar and NexStar or Compatible Devices |
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Standard RS232 serial cable, supplied with mount.
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ServoCAT-compatible serial cable. Contact StellarCAT to obtain this cable.
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9 pin DIN to DB9 RS232 serial cable, supplied with Temma mount. |
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DB9 to RJ22 cable. Software Bisque does not offer this cable for sale directly on our web page, however, we can manufacture SkyTour cables to order (please call). Orders for these custom cables require up to five working days to process. |
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Telescope Cable for LX200 and BBox or Compatible Devices.
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An Ethernet crossover cable for direct connection from the computer to the STAR BOOK or an Ethernet straight cable for network connection to the telescope through a router.
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If your telescope is not listed, contact the telescope's manufacturer to determine the necessary cable.
Custom Length Telescope Cables
Software Bisque can manufacture custom length telescope interface cables. See the table below for details. Contact Software Bisque directly (303) 278-4478 to order custom length cables.
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Cable Length |
Price ($) |
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12-foot (3.7 m) Standard Length |
24.00 |
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25-foot (7.6 m) |
39.00 |
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50-foot (15.2 m) |
49.00 |
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100-foot (30.5 m) |
79.00 |
Connecting a Telescope to a Windows Mobile Device
Four separate hardware components are normally required to control a telescope with TheSky Pocket Edition and a Windows Mobile Device. Each component is listed below. See the section on Bluetooth for wireless telescope control.
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Required Component (Part Name) |
Where to Purchase |
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1. |
ActiveSync (or AutoSync) Serial Cable* |
The manufacturer of your mobile device.
ActiveSync Cable Notes
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2. |
Software Bisque Store or many electronics stores.
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3. |
Software Bisque Store or many electronics stores.
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4. |
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Software Bisque Store or manufacturer specific cable (available from the manufacturer of the mount, telescope, or interface box.)
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The photograph below shows how each component is connected.
Top View
End View
Note: The telescope connection photographs on this site show an older model of the Null Modem adaptor. If you purchased these adaptors from Software Bisque, the new adaptor look different, but has the same functionality and connects identically as the older adaptor (see Mini Adaptors).
Why is the cable/adaptor sequence necessary?
The output port on Windows Mobile devices is not wired the same as the RS232 serial port on a PE. For this reason two adapters are necessary to make serial port on the device compatible with an RS232-controlled telescope.
Connectivity and Adaptor Issues
The female gender 9-pin connector on the Pocket PC allows the Pocket PC to be connected directly into the PC’s male RS232 9-pin serial port. The gender on the serial telescope cable is also female (to connected to the PC). The solution is to use a male-to-male gender changer.
RS232 serial communications between the mobile device versus a PC requires cabling that is different from a normal RS232 serial device. The transmit (tx) and receive (rx) lines of the mobile device (pins 2,3) must be "swapped". The Null Modem adapter performs this pin swap.
At this point the Pocket PC is gender and pin compatible with any standard 9 pin RS232 serial device. However, different telescope manufacturers wire the serial connector (transmit, receive, and ground) differently. Therefore Software Bisque supplies several different cable connectors that are made specifically for the telescope: L-200/AutoStar, NexStar/BBox/Ultima 2000, and Tele Vue Sky tour.
Cable Adaptors for Mobile Devices
The two cable adaptors pictured below are required to connect a DB9 ActiveSync cable on the Windows Mobile device to a telescope interface cable.
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Photograph |
Description |
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Mini Null Modem Adaptor (the text "Null Modem" is printed on the orange sticker). |
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Mini Gender Change Adaptor (the text "Gender Changer" is printed on the yellow sticker). |
Software Bisque Telescope Interface Cable Wiring Specifications
Below are the wiring specifications for Software Bisque telescope interface cables. Note that these diagrams are provided for convenience only. Please read our warranty disclaimer before continuing. If you want to make your own cable, contact the manufacturer of the particular telescope for wiring specifications.
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The color coding on the diagrams below is intended to indicate the relative connections between the DB9 connector and the RJ11 or RJ22 connector. There is absolutely no correlation between the colors below and the colors of the individual wires. Do not use the color coding to match the color of individual wires in the 4 or 6 conductor cable.
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Device Name |
Wiring Specifications |
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Autostar and Autostar II by Meade Instruments Corporation |
DB9 Connector
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RJ22 Connector
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BBox and Compatibles by Tangent Instruments |
DB9 Connector
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RJ11 Connector
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Gemini by Losmandy |
DB9 Connector
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RJ11 Connector
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LX200 by Meade Instruments Corporation |
DB9 Connector
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RJ11 Connector
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NexStar by Celestron International
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DB9 Connector
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RJ22 Connector
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Sky Tour by Tele Vue |
DB9 Connector
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RJ22
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Sky Commander |
DB9 Connector
On DB9 Connector jumper pins 1, 4, 6, 8* (*from the Sky Commander User's Manual) |
RJ11
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Ultima 2000 by Celestron International |
DB9 Connector
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RJ11 Connector
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Standard RS232 Serial Cable Pin Assignments for a DB9 Connector
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Signal Pin |
To Pin |
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1 |
Data Carrier Detect |
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2 |
Receive Data (Rx Data) |
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3 |
Transmit Data (Tx Data) |
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4 |
Data Terminal Ready |
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5 |
Signal Ground |
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6 |
Data Set Ready |
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7 |
Request to Send |
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8 |
Clear to Send |
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9 |
Ring Indicator |
Note: On the ActiveSync cables (mobile devices), pins 2 and 3 are swapped so that the mobile device (which is connected to the RS232 serial port) can send/receive data the COM port.
Null Modem Adaptor Wiring Diagram
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Pin |
Signal Pin |
To Pin |
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CD |
1 |
4 |
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Rx Data |
2 |
3 |
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Tx Data |
3 |
2 |
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DTR |
4 |
1 |
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Ground |
5 |
5 |
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DSR |
6 |
6 |
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RTS |
7 |
8 |
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RI |
9 |
9 |
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Software Bisque Telescope Interface Cable for the Autostar (DB9 Connector)
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Pin Signal |
Pin ------ Pin |
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CD 1 |
(not used) |
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Rx Data |
2 -------- 3 |
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Tx Data |
3 -------- 2 |
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DTR 4 |
(not used) |
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Ground |
5 -------- 5 |
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DSR 6
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(not used) |
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RTS 7 |
(not used) |
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DTS 8 |
(not used) |
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RI 9 |
(not used) |
Software Bisque Telescope Interface Cable (RJ-22 End Connector)
1-1
2-2
3-3
4-4
Software Bisque Telescope Interface Cable (RJ-11 End Connector)
1-1
2-2
3-3
4-4
Telescope Operation Disclaimer
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Software Bisque, Inc. 912 Twelfth Street Golden, CO 80401
Web Site: http://www.bisque.com Support: http://www.bisque.com/support |
