Here’s some of my notes I put together last year which has helped a few folk using EQMOD
Hope it may help in some way ?
EQMOD Prerequisites and Settings #### Skywatcher EQ Mounts with hand controller RJ45 port only EQ Direct Cable available from Shoestring Astronomy StoreShoestring USB2EQ5 This cable is only 1.8m long so you can extend it by using a good quality Startech brand 2m USB2 Type A Extension cable. ( Male to Female ) Max combined cable length 4m SoftwareEnsure you download the Windows 11 Prolific driver PL 2303GL latest version for your operating system 32bit or 64bit Ensure you have the latest version of Ascom 6.6 SP2Also ensure you download the following Microsoft .NET versions Microsoft .NET 3.5Microsoft .NET 4.8Ensure you have the latest version of EQASCOM on Source Forge site ( 12/5/21 ) Next is very important !!For Shoestring USB2EQ5 cable you must download the virtual com port VCP driver for the FTDI chipset in the Shoestring USB2EQ5 cable as follows - Go to the Shoestring website at
http://www.shoestringastronomy.comthen click on the The Shoestring Astronomy Store then click on Downloads , then in “Software” find Virtual COM Port Drivers for USB2EQ6 and USB2EQ5 , click on this. This opens the FTDI website then scroll down to the first table under the first line Windows ( Desktop) Over on the righthand side you can use the setup executable to download it. You can also read the installation notes on how to download the FTDI VCP driver as well. Make sure you use the correct operating system speed 32bit or 64bit for your computer.Once downloaded your new Shoestring USB2EQ5 cable can talk to the mount. #### Skywatcher EQ Mounts with additional USB2B port. Connect your mount to your laptop with a USB2A to USB2B cable (max length 5m )Switch on your mount and laptop and open Device Manager in laptop and verify Com portconnection to mount via a serial USB Com port. ( eg COM 3 , COM 4 etc.. ) Unplug cable from mountend to check connection , USB Serial Com ## should disappear. plug it back in and it should reappear. Still in Device Manager select Ports then double click your USB serial Com port and Com portProperties will appear. Go into port settings and just change Bits per second to 115200 which is Baudrate ( this is very important !!! )Press Ok and close Device Manager. Your serial port connection is now ready to communicate withEQMOD.USB2 to Serial COM Port Driver ( Important !!! )Skywatcher mounts with the additional USB2B connection use a Prolific Driver to allow the mount tocommunicate with your Laptop via a USB2A to USB2B cable. Ensure you have the latest version ofthe Prolific driver installed. In Device Manager under USB to Serial COM Port , open the ProlificDriver Properties and there is a button to Update Driver if you’re connected to the internet. Windows 11Do not connect to internet Disable Windows updates Disable Windows Notifications Do not run any Apps as “Run As Administrator” Just right click on App and click on “Run as Administrator” say No !! USB Power Management ( Disable )Open Device ManagerClick on Universal Serial Bus ControllersIn the drop down list for each Controller, Root Hub and USB Router you must do the following - Right click and open Properties, then select Power Management Uncheck or Untick Allow this computer to turn off this device to save power.Click Ok for each one. This will eliminate USB ports from sleeping when in use or not in use. EQMOD settings I use the EQAscom Toolbox to launch the EQAscom driver. The EQAscom Toolbox can usually be found in C: drive of your computer under Program files (x86) > EQMOD>EQMOD_toolbox.exeI placed the EQAscom Toolbox shortcut on my desktop screen to open EQAscom ( Driver Set up button ) but other folk prefer to launch from their Astro Apps I prefer to open all my Astro Apps manually one at time rather than through an acquisition App. EQMOD Ascom Set Up ScreenMount Options - Auto DetectEQMOD Port Details Timeout - 1000Retry - 2Baud - 9600 for Handcontroller Port and 115200 for USB2B Port Port - Com ( ## ) Note: Com port numbers should be say COM4 up to say COM7. If COM9 or higher then there are unused COM ports which need to be addressed ( discussed later ) EQMOD Driver ScreenOnce EQASCOM is connected and opened check settings by expanding screen using spanner symbol at top Site information ( as per your location )LatitudeLongitudeElevation etc…..Alignment / SyncUser Interface- Append on SyncAlignment Behaviour- 3 Point nearest point Proximity Range - 0Point Filter - AllPark / UnparkPark Mode - Park to Home Position Unpark Mode - UnparkMinutes until Park - 0Ascom Pulse Guide Settings Ra rate - x0.50Dec rate - x0.50Mount Limits - Disable or Off Remaining settings None or zero Only if Required Hidden Unused COM Ports or change COM port assignments You can clear hidden unused COMports by opening Device Manager , click View, then select Show Hidden devicesUnder Ports ( COM & LPT ) expand to show assigned but unused Ports ( greyed out )Right click and select uninstallTo change COM port assignments right click on USB Serial Ports , click on Properties, click port settings tab then Advanced , now choose an unused COM port from drop down list Bad Cable ConnectionsEnsure all USB and RJ port connections on mount and Laptop are clean and have a solid connections ( not floppy or loose ) Important !!Ensure you do not use and data hubs or other connections between Laptop and Mount connection using EQ direct cable for EQMOD Do not exceed 4m in total cable length for EQMOD eqascom ( Shoestring USB2EQ5 1.8m + Startech 2m USB2 extension cable Ensure Laptop is not too old ( max 7 years ) That’s about it unless I’ve missed something Hope the above helps and you resolve your issues sooner than later Clear Skies Martin
