Sidereal Technology HT1 Users Manual

SIDEREAL TECHNOLOGY RADIO HANDPAD

MODEL HR-1 and MODEL HT-1 USER INSTRUCTION MANUAL

http://www.siderealtechnology.com/

Last revised July 27, 2005

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Table of Contents

Features:...........................................................................................................................................3

Technical Information:.....................................................................................................................4

TECHNICAL SUPPORT:................................................................................................................4

Mounting the Receiver:....................................................................................................................5

Connecting the Receiver:.................................................................................................................5

Operation, All Systems:....................................................................................................................5

Setting Address: ...............................................................................................................................5

Normal Slew/Pan/Guide operation:..................................................................................................6

Flashlight Operation: .......................................................................................................................6

Keyboard Lock Mode: .....................................................................................................................6

Turning the Handpad On:.................................................................................................................7

Turning the Handpad Off:................................................................................................................7

DragNTrack and SlewNTrack Operation.........................................................................................7

Equatorial Mode Operation:.............................................................................................................8

Mel Bartels Stepper System Operation............................................................................................8

Argo Navis® Mode Operation:........................................................................................................9

Receiver LED's:................................................................................................................................9

Using the Handpad as a wired handpad:........................................................................................10

Trouble Shooting:...........................................................................................................................10

APPENDIX A - AGENCY APPROVALS:...................................................................................11

Appendix B: Receiver Wiring Diagram:........................................................................................12

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This exciting new product from Sidereal Technology has many cool features in addition to remote handpad control of your telescope or tracking platform. This product was engineered and tested by amateur astronomers, for amateur astronomers!

Features:

1. Connects to the Sidereal Technology Dual Servo Controller for wireless remote control of

your telescope. Eliminates the wired Handpad for tangle free operation.

2. Emulates the old standard Mel Bartels Stepper System Handpad: The receiver has a mode

which emulates the original Mel Bartels handpad, so can be used with the Mel Bartels Stepper system with only the application of a jumper.

3. Addressable: (easily changeable with a keyboard sequence). This allows many users with

many telescopes on the same telescope field.

4. Low Duty Cycle Transmit Time: Special micro controller routine only transmits about 1/20

of the time, even when a button is continually pressed. There are no transmissions when no buttons are pressed. This allows multiple use from several identical handpads and telescopes without interruption of any one user.

5. Instant, imperceivable delay between a button press and action of the telescope. This is a

real plus when centering an object at pan speeds, there will be no overshoot, as the scope starts and stops movement at exactly the same time as you press and release the key (perception anyway).

6. Built in Micro-Processor Based astronomers LED flashlight. There are 4 super bright

LEDs which work in tandem. Th brightness is adjustable from very dim to very bright in 16 linear perceived steps. The brightness is “remembered” across a power down.

7. Keypad lock feature: When in the locked mode, only the 4 direction keys work. This is a

great (nearly mandatory) feature for public star parties where the handpad is given to the general public for panning the moon at high power (it also helps us more experienced observers at 3:00 AM!!!!).

8. Glow in the dark keypad: A lot of research went into finding the perfect glow in the dark

base and the percentage used. This glow in the dark is not too bright for even the most

2 Second time exposure in a dark room

hardcore dark sky phenatics! Approval was given by both Chuck Dethloff and Howard Banich (experienced dark sky observers from the Portland Oregon area). In addition to this, the glow lasts all night long, making it easy to find on the observing table in the darkest night. Although

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the labeling on the buttons may not be discernible, the shape (and thus the location of specific keys) are easily discerned.

9. Keypad: Reliable, custom manufactured Silicone One Piece Push Button pad.

10.Industry standard, autoguider port is built in to the receiver. This port can be used to

autoguide a telescope, with or without the ASCOM driver or Mel Bartels scope control software.

11.Auto Off for both the flashlight (10 minutes) and the transmitter (16 minutes).

12.Long Battery Life (Years, if buttons are not inadvertently left pressed). It uses easily

replaceable standard 9 volt alkaline batteries.

13.Wide keypad spacing for gloved operation.

14.Transmitter can be used with a direct connection to the telescope controller (in case of

interference or if the battery runs down (SiTech Controller Only).

15.Handy necklace is included.

Technical Information:

The transmitter and receiver utilize a pair of Lynx Technologies OOK (On Off Keying) transmitter and receiver chips. The crystal controlled frequency used is 433.92 Mhtz. The antenna is internal to both the transmitter and the reciever.

A very quick bit rate, and only 16 bits (including address, data bits and error checking) are needed to activate the receiver. This is one reason for the perceived instantaneous response.

You can order the handpad without the radio components, and it will serve as a wired handpad (SiTech Controller only). In order to upgrade from a wired handpad to a wireless system, you will have to purchase a receiver, and send the handpad back to our factory for addition of the radio components. The cost of the wired handpad, and upgrading to the wireless will add up to the same price (except for shipping and handling).

TECHNICAL SUPPORT:

If you are using ScopeII and having issues, you need to contact Mel Bartels for Technical Support. Mel is extremely patient and will work with you until you are up and working, if necessary, he will provide telephone support.

If you are having problems with the controller, radio handpad, or the ASCOM driver, or are having problems with the Argo Navis controlling your telescope, Sidereal Technology will help you. We are available by email anytime. grayarea@tms-usa.com. Please be sure to include “Servo” in the subject line, or your email may be rejected as spam. You will receive a response, generally within 8-10 hours. You can also call Dan Gray anytime before 10:00 PM Pacific Time. His phone number is 503-887-3701.

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