This post is a variation of the facebook post by Ian Barredo https://www.facebook.com/groups/ASIAIR/permalink/1683501935146356/https://www.facebook.com/groups/ASIAIR/permalink/1683501935146356/ but instead of using Sky-Watchers own "extortionately overpriced" SyncScan adapter, I cobbled together this cheap alternative using the instructions in this excellent post. (No way was I going to pay £50 for a Wi-Fi Dongle!!!!.. https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/326590-the-%C2%A35-wifi-adapter/https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/326590-the-%C2%A35-wifi-adapter/
I managed to pay £0.75 for the DT-06 wifi adapter and £0.25 for the Buck (drops the voltage to 5v and allows you to power the adapter from the mount (I am using a HEQ5 PRO).. postage was minimal and it took about 2 weeks to get to the UK from China..
Now, the instructions won't be exactly the same as the Post on the FB page by Ian Barredo https://www.facebook.com/groups/ASIAIR/permalink/1683501935146356/https://www.facebook.com/groups/ASIAIR/permalink/1683501935146356/ which I followed but the end result is the same, a connection from ASIAIR to the mount without an EQMOD cable.... (frees up another USB port...yay)
These are instructions on setting up a ESP2XXX DT-06 Wifi adapter to connect to the ASIAIR and Sky Safari and HEQ5 PRO mount via the "hand controller PORT directly on the mount (no synscan required)
Once you have followed the instructions in the post https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/326590-the-%C2%A35-wifi-adapter/https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/326590-the-%C2%A35-wifi-adapter/, you can connect to the adapters SSID (default is DO_ITXXXXX) on a mobile device/computer.
ESPXXXX DT-06 WIFI Adapter CONFIGURATION
Under Module > Serial
SAVE the Settings
Under Module > Wi-Fi
Change the SoftAP settings to
- leave the IP address/mask/gateway on defaults.
Enable Station Mode under Station Settings
- From the SSID list find the ASIAIR and select it or enter the SSID of the ASIAIR in the box SSID NAME
- Enter the password for the ASIAIR SSID
- Enter an IP address of 10.0.0.10
- Enter a netmask of 255.25.255.0
- Enter a gateway of 10.0.0.1
SAVE the Settings
Under Module > Networks
- Ensure the device is setup as a UDP server and
- change the UDP Server port to 11880.
SAVE the Settings
Once you've made the changes above and restarted the wifi-adapter, click on status and it should show something like this. (note: it may take a moment for the wifi adapter to connect to the ASIAIR.
If you've got a "ping" app on your mobile device or computer, you can ping the IP address 10.0.0.10 to make sure its reachable.
The ESPXXXX DT-06 wifi adapter is configured now.
ASIAIR CONFIGURATION
On the ASIAIR now, click on The Telescope icon and then enter the following settings:
- change the Telescope to EQMOD with SkySafari
- Change connection type from serial to Ethernet
- Enter the IP Address of the wi-fi adapter which we set earlier as 10.0.0.10
- Change the connection method from TCP to UDP
Move the connected slider from disconnected to Connected.
Once the Mount has been found, the information will be displayed below.
The ASIAIR is configured now.
SKY SAFARI CONFIGURATION
- Under Settings, Change Scope Type to MEADE LX200 Classic
On the Main Screen, Click on the Scope icon and then Click on Connect.
Note: I found that it takes about 40secs to connect to the mount from SKY SAFARI via the DT-06 Wi-Fi Adapter compared to an EQMOD Cable which is instantaneous. Not sure if SkyWatchers own SynScan wifi adapter suffers from the same delay.
Thats it!!!
