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Treehopper
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/29/08
Posts: 582
Loc: Upstate NY
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I got to thinking the past couple of days, and I seemed to remember some extra gadgets coming with my ETX-125 last year. So, I started rummaging through the box and sure enough, I found a couple of interesting gizmos.
One is an adapter with a DB-9 "D" (Female) RS-232 on one end, and what looks like a standard modular phone jack on the other. Gizmo #2 is what looks like a simple cable with the modular phone plugs on both ends.
Is this part of what comes with the #505 cable kit? Aside from the software (which, essentially, I already have it appears), is the only thing I'm missing is the cable with the phone plug on one end and what looks like an ethernet plug on the other? If so, I think I can pick up a 25' pre-fab cable off ebay for about $12 (would prefer to do this rather than drop another $40-50 on a whole new kit, especially if I already have half of it!)
I'm slowly trying to put together what I need to get my scopes automated and primed to try my hand at some AP. Being on a fixed income, I try to do things as frugally as possible.
I just ordered a couple of Keyspan USB-to-Serial adapters today, so those should be here soon. And I'm thinking I may have no choice on the ETX-80 but to bite the bullet and buy a #506 kit (I think I read on Weasner's site that the #506 cable is special and difficult to replicate, not to mention you stand the chance of frying your mount if you try plugging in a "standard" phone plug from your serial to the scope.)
Soo anywho, there's my questions. 
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Tim
Champion of small aperture scopes everywhere!
Meade ETX-125PE
Meade ETX-80
Celestron FirstScope 76mm Mini-dob
 Updated: 09/16/2009
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Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3600
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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The little plastic.. gizmo #1... plugs into the cable, and then another shorter cable gizmo #2, which you should have received, plugs into the "gizmo #1" plastic device, and then to the bottom of the hand-controller.
DO NOT PLUG IN TO THE TELESCOPE CONTROL PANEL !!!! only into the bottom of the 497 controller.
EDIT- just a side story-- when I was NEW on Cloudy Nights, Marcus, JAT Observatory, kindly sent me his extra plastic connector Gizmo #1--------- which I did not have-- for free. Thank you again-- Marcus! I am still using it. 
PS-- here is the cable that Scopestuff.com sells-
http://scopestuff.com/ss_usbr.htm USB to Serial adapter and CD driver if you do not have a true serial port on your computer. If you have a serial port you don't need this- just the one listed below.
http://scopestuff.com/ss_sma2.htm the cable
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LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s-- www.texasastro.org
"Great minds discuss ideas;Average minds discuss events;Small minds discuss people." Unknown
Edited by Joe Lalumia (07/24/09 09:38 AM)
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Treehopper
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/29/08
Posts: 582
Loc: Upstate NY
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OK, let's see if I got this then:
Gizmo #1 is my Serial-to-phone adapter.
Gizmo #2 is a standard modular telephone cord.
I just ordered a couple of Keyspan USB-to-Serial adapters, so those should be here shortly. And I do have one DB-9 serial port on my desktop. So, I would plug into Gizmo #1 into the PC (either directly via the serial port or through the USB adapter), and then one end of the Gizmo #2 cable plugs into Gizmo #1, and the other end of Gizmo #2 cable plugs into the underside of my #497 controller.
Now, assuming I have that correct, two more questions: what will this allow me to do? And what do I need the ethernet cable that comes with Meade Kit #505 for?
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Tim
Champion of small aperture scopes everywhere!
Meade ETX-125PE
Meade ETX-80
Celestron FirstScope 76mm Mini-dob
Updated: 09/16/2009
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Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3600
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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Gizmo #2 plugs into #1 and then plugs into the hand controller-- the fatter end goes into the Gizmo #1- smaller end into the bottom of the 497 hand controller-
SON! you are all set to go you have EVERYTHING!
If you have a true serial port on the computer you do NOT need the USB-Serial adapter cable....unless you want to use a laptop without a real serial port.
Ethernet cable??????? All you need is the Autostar Updater Software.
1. Turn the scope OFF
2. Plug in all the cables from the computer
3. Turn the scope on
4. Open up the AutoUpdater software- select Upgrade Autostar Software Now -- if you want to update the firmware.
5. Or select FILE- Get data from WWW -- if you want to download the tours = Satellites - comets and so forth.
The trick is the hand controller will NOT hold everything that is downloaded. You have to select what you want to not go over the memory in the hand controller. The software tells you when you go over.
I usually put in some of the tours(plus the ones that Dr. Clay has available on the internet) a few of the comets a few SATS, and a few asteroids.
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LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s-- www.texasastro.org
"Great minds discuss ideas;Average minds discuss events;Small minds discuss people." Unknown
Edited by Joe Lalumia (07/24/09 07:48 PM)
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Treehopper
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/29/08
Posts: 582
Loc: Upstate NY
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Quote:
Gizmo #2 plugs into #1 and then plugs into the hand controller-- the fatter end goes into the Gizmo #1- smaller end into the bottom of the 497 hand controller-
Umm...fatter end? Both ends of this cable are the same size...modular phone plugs. Is it possible Meade issued two different types of serial adapters? Mine has a phone jack on the other end.
While we're at it...I know you said not to plug directly into the AUX jack on the 125. Any idea what this jack is for, or is it something that Meade never implemented?
Quote:
SON! you are all set to go you have EVERYTHING!
Thanks Dad!
Quote:
If you have a true serial port on the computer you do NOT need the USB-Serial adapter cable....unless you want to use a laptop without a real serial port.
I picked up the USB adapters for a couple of reasons. The solitary serial port on my desktop is in the back and hard to get at. I already have a device cable plugged into it (it allows me to program and control a scanner radio I have.) And, as you guessed, my laptop doesn't have a serial port at all, but it does have about 5 or six USB ports. If I ever do decide to lug this contraption out to the field, I'll need the lappy to be ready to go.
Quote:
Ethernet cable??????? All you need is the Autostar Updater Software.
Yeah, this point confuses me as well. If you look at the #505 kit, they have two cables. One of the cables has a phone plug on one end and an ethernet plug on the other.
Note the two cables, one of which terminates in the wider plug.
Here's another possibility that just occurred to me: I know the #505 is sold for a number of different scopes. Is it possible that, for instance, on the LX Meades, they use a different connector? So they include both cables, and you simply use the one that's appropriate?
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Tim
Champion of small aperture scopes everywhere!
Meade ETX-125PE
Meade ETX-80
Celestron FirstScope 76mm Mini-dob
Updated: 09/16/2009
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Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3600
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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?????-- As I described there are only two things you need. Your GIZmo #1-- and a cable with two different size "phone" plugs -- the larger phone plug end goes into Gizmo #1 look closely at the cable, one plug should be slightly larger, the smaller into the hand controller.
PS-- In Texas we call everyone either-- SON! or "You-All" - you can tell a real Texan because they use the word- You-All when they are talking to only ONE PERSON! 
While I am at it-- the word "Fix-In" means I am preparing to do something.... for example- I am FIX-IN to go to the grocery store. However we have been known to use the word SON! whenever someone catches a large fish---- as in--- "SON! that's what I'm talkin' about!!"
 
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LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s-- www.texasastro.org
"Great minds discuss ideas;Average minds discuss events;Small minds discuss people." Unknown
Edited by Joe Lalumia (07/24/09 11:46 PM)
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Treehopper
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/29/08
Posts: 582
Loc: Upstate NY
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Ahhh, so "Son" is roughly analogous to "Duuuuude" where I hail from. Gotcha!
OK, so...now I'm getting confused again Joe. The Gizmo #1 I have here has a standard telephone-style jack on it. Let me snap off a quick shot and show you.
There is no "fat end" (well, there is on ME, but not on the plugs!  ) I think the "fat end" you're referring to matches what I'm calling an ethernet connector. I believe the proper term is a CAT5. It looks like a wider version of the telephone jack. The cable I have here has the same sized plugs on both ends...both are standard modular phone plugs. I hate to come off sounding either like a broken record or a total newb here, but there is no "fat end" at all to deal with.
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Tim
Champion of small aperture scopes everywhere!
Meade ETX-125PE
Meade ETX-80
Celestron FirstScope 76mm Mini-dob
Updated: 09/16/2009
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Billydee
super member
Reged: 01/23/08
Posts: 184
Loc: Winter Haven, FL
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You need to Google - Instructions for meade #505 -. Then read what cables are needed and how to connect them. Then ask questions. The CATS is a 4 pin to 6 pin cable. There are clone #505s for sale. If you don't have a serial port on your computer then you MUST provide a serial to usb adapter and be sure to get the correct driver(s) for your computer's operating system. Those are very important.
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Treehopper
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/29/08
Posts: 582
Loc: Upstate NY
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OK, I took another close look at the cable I have. What looked like two phone plugs visually did wind up differing on one end by about 2mm. So I guess this is the "fat end." I put the wider end into the serial adapter and while its tight it's not forced. The phone plug end apparently is the end then that goes into the #497. Very cool! Will test it this weekend and see how it works! Right after I eat my crow.
And Billydee, I do indeed have one serial port on my desktop. I've also ordered a number of USB-to-serial adapters which should be here next week for use on my laptop. All is good. Thanks.
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Tim
Champion of small aperture scopes everywhere!
Meade ETX-125PE
Meade ETX-80
Celestron FirstScope 76mm Mini-dob
Updated: 09/16/2009
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Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3600
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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Tree- that is correct. That is the correct cable. Try the smaller end and plug it into the bottom of the 497 controller. The controller must also be plugged into the scope as usual. MAKE SURE the scope is turned OFF when you plug the cables in, and also OFF after you update the 497, TURN it OFF before you unplug the cables.
What firmware version number is the 497 reporting when you first turn it on?? 43Eg is the latest version.
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LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s-- www.texasastro.org
"Great minds discuss ideas;Average minds discuss events;Small minds discuss people." Unknown
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Treehopper
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/29/08
Posts: 582
Loc: Upstate NY
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Ya know, I believe it is 43Eg. I'll power it up a bit later and double check, but I want to say that revision sounds real familiar.
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Tim
Champion of small aperture scopes everywhere!
Meade ETX-125PE
Meade ETX-80
Celestron FirstScope 76mm Mini-dob
Updated: 09/16/2009
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Jimmy2K63
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/26/09
Posts: 1184
Loc: Kentucky
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I got a similar setup with my LPI on Friday and I am pretty sure this is the same as the #505. I think the #505 only uses like 3 wires of the plug and that's why you only see 3 pins on that connector. There should be no crossover in the cables. One end of the cable is 4 pins and the size of a phone wall jack and the other end is 4 pins and the size of a headset cord (the one that connects the handset to the phone, not the phone to the wall).
The correct name for the connector you are referring to I believe is an RJ-45. It has 8 wires and plugs into an ethernet card. That one is not needed in this case. I think a phone cord has an RJ-11.
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http://astronomyguy63.blogspot.com/
LXD75 SN6-UHTC
Cave Astrola 10" f/5
Garrett 15x70/FarSight
Canon XS (1000D)
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Treehopper
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/29/08
Posts: 582
Loc: Upstate NY
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Well, I pulled out the 125 and got it all properly hooked up and such. I doubled-checked my COM port settings (in my case, the Keyspan adapter allocated COM3 to itself), and all my settings match.
However, I'm getting a big donut on communicating between the scope and the computer. I know it's getting to the adapter because I can see the green LED doing it's little flashy thing, indicating data is being sent. So the breakdown is somewhere between the serial "dongle" (Gizmo #1 from above) and the scope. I've tried with Autostar Suite and Voyager, to no avail. I've re-checked all the physical connections, turned the scope off and on a couple times, but no soap.
Any suggestions?
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Tim
Champion of small aperture scopes everywhere!
Meade ETX-125PE
Meade ETX-80
Celestron FirstScope 76mm Mini-dob
Updated: 09/16/2009
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Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3600
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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Tree which software program are you using Cartes du Ciel? Autostar Suite? Setup the correct COM port inside the software. In Autostar Suite it's TELESCOPE--- COMMUNICATION--- Serial Port Setup ... I could never get the Meade software to work HIGHER than COM 9.
Did you download and install the ASCOM drivers for a Meade scope?
Drivers here- http://ascom-standards.org/Downloads/ScopeDrivers.htm
Install this first-- http://ascom-standards.org/ ASCOM Platform-- then install the drivers.
Should work just fine with either Cartes du Ciel or Autostar Suite. The software must be set to the correct PORT. Stellarium is a little tricky, but will work with Stellarium Scope add-on.
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LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s-- www.texasastro.org
"Great minds discuss ideas;Average minds discuss events;Small minds discuss people." Unknown
Edited by Joe Lalumia (08/02/09 01:25 PM)
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Treehopper
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/29/08
Posts: 582
Loc: Upstate NY
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Hi Joe,
Yeah, I made sure my COM ports all jived, both within Windows and inside the software. I was unaware of the need for extra drivers; silly me, I thought when I installed the AutoStar Suite, it included them. 
That has been rectified. I downloaded and installed the platform and the Meade Autostar drivers.
I think I tried last night with AutoStar Suite and Voyager (and I think Stellarium, but I believe I need the scope plug-in for that one.) I have CdC installed, but for some reason that program just gives me fits, don't ask me why. Great program, but I think it's over-plumbed in some sense for me.
Will let you know if I meet with any further success tonight. Thanks again!
Tim
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Tim
Champion of small aperture scopes everywhere!
Meade ETX-125PE
Meade ETX-80
Celestron FirstScope 76mm Mini-dob
Updated: 09/16/2009
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