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

Bi-monthly release with minor bug fixes and improvements

INDI/Linux driver for the QHY Polemaster, developers needed.

  • Posts: 17
  • Thank you received: 4
I managed to use the Polemaster as a guider in EKOS last night with my rPi GPIO ST4 implementation. I did run into an issue while attempting to use it for imaging. It appears to have problems when exposure times exceed 45sec or so, where images returned were just black and contained no data. It could have been a software issue on my end, I'll test again this evening with a pristine installation of INDI.
6 years 11 months ago #16338

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There is certainly something odd about this camera when using longer duration. I tested with a pristine installations.

If you capture with a 1.0 sec exposure, the image downloads almost instantly.

If you capture with a 10.0 sec exposure, it takes about 11.5 seconds to download the image after exposure stops.
If you capture with a 15.0 sec exposure, the image downloads almost instantly.
If you capture with a 18.0 sec exposure, the image downloads almost instantly.
If you capture with a 20.0 sec exposure, the image never downloads and EKOS will just hang waiting for the data. Have to kill indiserver and the indi_qhy_ccd driver, as well as unplug and re-plug the polemaster to resume capture.
21.0 sec exposure is fine.
29.0 sec is fine.
30.0 sec bombs just like 20.0 sec did.
40.0 sec bombs just like 20.0 sec did.
50.1 sec took 52 seconds to download after exposure ended.
89.0 sec took 91 sec to download image.
93.0 sec worked fine.
118.0 sec worked fine.

It appears that multiples of 10.0 seconds will cause issues with the driver and/or camera. Getting close to a multiple of 10.0 sec can sometimes trigger a situation where it appears that a second image is captured and sent since the delay in downloading appears to be equal to the exposure time.
6 years 11 months ago #16372

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Which software should we use(modify) to make it working ? On windows, we can use the one provided by QHY.
6 years 9 months ago #17318

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It's already working with INDI, no need for additional software. If you want to use Polar Assistant tool under Linux, you can use Ekos Polar Assistant.
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6 years 9 months ago #17319

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Not sure how I missed this. I will definitely be giving this a try with the RPI3 next time skies are clear.
6 years 9 months ago #17320

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How do I configure for the Polemaster camera to work with the Polar Alignment?

Setup:
1. EdgeHD11 - 2800mm FL
2. ASI1600mm
3. ASI224MC
4. Polemaster
5. using OAG

Issue is that the pole alignment cannot be started due to the FOV reported when combined with the 2800mm focal length.

Is there a way to setup correctly with the polemaster?

Thank you
6 years 9 months ago #17378

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You could perhaps use the "Guide Scope". So even if you do not have one, adjust the Celestron "Guide Scope" so that whatever focal length you put there results in the correct FOV for Pole Master. Then from Align tab, you can select "Guide Scope" and FOV will be updated accordingly.
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6 years 9 months ago #17379

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Yes, this worked for me in my test!

The primary scope is defined and now used for both imaging and guide camera. The guide scope is now fictions (120mm aperture and 480mm FL) and used with polemaster.

Now I just need skies... oh where did they go?
6 years 9 months ago #17389

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Hi Jasem

How should I configure Ekos, in order to use my Polemaster for polar-alignment?

This is my setup:
Skywatcher NEQ-6 Pro
Imaging scope: GSO RC6 with Canon 650D (FOV = 0.93° x 0.62°, FOV with 0.64x reducer = 1.45° x 0.97°)
Guide scope: TSL60D (60mm aperture, 240mm focal length) with ZWO ASI-120MM (FOV = 1.14° x 0.86°)
Polar alignment scope: QHY CCD Polemaster (FOV= 11° x 8°)

Best regards
Anders Lange
6 years 7 months ago #18683

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In this case I suggest you create an equipment profile dedicated to polar alignment routine. Select the guide scope as the polar alignment telescope, and guide camera as QHY. Then in Alignment module, select "Guide scope" and of course the guide camera and proceed.
6 years 7 months ago #18686

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Hi Jasem

Thanks for the quick reply! That's also the procedure I arrived to, but it would be VERY nice if it was possible to configure more than two scopes for a single equipment profile! Would such a feature be hard to add???

A second question regarding equipment profiles and equipment configurations, is it possible to export the profiles and configuration data, so it can be imported again later i.e. after a re-install or on another device e.g. from a PC to a Raspberry Pi? It's OK if I need to do it by hand, but where do I find the correct files? An automatic import/export feature would of course be preferable...

Best regards
Anders Lange
6 years 7 months ago #18687

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Yes such a feature would be difficult to add because 99% of the users have either 1 or 2 scopes for a particular setup. Support N scopes would be possible, but it's too much work for such little gain IMO. If you really feel like you want that, we welcome code submissions!

Regardsing the data, it's all stored in userdb.sqlite file located under ~/.local/share/kstars

You can move this around between computers so consider it as the export/import mechanism. There is no "merge", if you move it to another computer which already has userdb.sqlite, you have to overwrite what you have there.
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6 years 7 months ago #18688

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