Hand Paddle
Alternative to Joystick
Because I have heard it can be difficult to use the default Joystick
for manually centering objects with the
Paramount ME
I offer this as an alternative and a good one at that.
Example 4 button
hand paddle
Note the 6 line cable to the left
For the MKS-3000/4000 control systems
Related links
Hand paddle option Paramount
ME/GT-1100S
And other scopes using the MKS control systems
By using any 4 button
6 line RJ-11 cabled hand paddle you can accurately move the
Paramount ME
at any speed you like. The following is a typical hand paddle
commonly used for manual auto-guiding or manual motion control.
First plug the phone
type cord (6 wire) into the Adapter panels "Guider" connector found
on the top middle of the
Paramount ME
adapter panel. Fortunately, there is a redundant auto-guider
connector located on the adapter panel in addition to the one
located on the Instrument Panel mounted on the Versa-plate. This
is VERY convenient.
Next you will need to find the best guider speeds for both RA and
DEC. This will depend on the focal length of the scope,
eyepiece used, and so forth. And you can even select a
different rate for each axis if you like. This will take some
trial and error.
Right Ascension
Guider Speed
Alter the default guider speeds here
Personally I like a
value of 80% sidereal. Again, trial and error is the best way
to find the rates that work for you.
Note you have to set
both Right Ascension and Declination guider speeds! Set the
Declination speed using the Declination button.
After you have found new guider speeds that work well for you "SAVE"
the settings. Use the option "Save to Flash" and the new speeds are
permanent.
Save settings
To make them permanent
Wait!
Doesn't this affect my auto-guider using relay settings?
Yes it certainly does!
Note there isn't any problem having the auto-guider cable from the
CCD camera connected up top on the Versa-Plate AND the 4 button hand
controller plugged in at the same time. However you can only
use one at a time.
If you must auto-guide
using the relays you will have to change the rate back to the
default or whatever guiding rate you normally use. In this case you
may choose to NOT SAVE the new guider speed settings to flash.
DirectGuide instead of using Relays
What is DirectGuide?
CCDSoft's feature DirectGuide will communicated directly with the
control system speeding up and/or slowing down both axis to
accurately keep a guide star centered. This motion is actually
smoother when compared to the relay method of making guiding
corrections and will work at least as well if not better. AND you
will not have to go back and change the guider speeds!
Calibration is
identical to calibrating using the relays. However, you will
need to find the correct calibration times for both axis.
At the point where you
can successfully calibrate using the calibration times that work you
will be good to go.
Enabling
DirectGuide using the Advanced Drive settings
Auto guide using "Direct Guide"
Here is a portion of a RAW
DirectGuided image of NGC2903 taken with a C-14 reduced using an
ST-9E at 1.5 arcseconds/pixel.
20 minute
DirectGuided exposure
DirectGuided image
1.5 arcseconds/pixel
21 degrees declination
Please refer to the
CCDSoft
manual for complete details on DirectGuide.
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