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This location is for downloading "Pre-release Updates" to files for the Sitech Servo system software and firmware. Information about the updates will be in this section of the webpage and in the "Comments" section at the bottom. The actual software to download will be in the "Attachments" area below.
Pre-Release software is "Beta" software that has enough shelf life and testing to provide to the general user population and "should" work ok, but may still have some bugs.... "Caveat Emptor " is the rule when using Pre-release software, and is the price you pay for messing with the latest new capabilities...... So, before you install the updated "Pre-Release" software, be sure to save the files it is replacing "just in case".
The formal "Released" versions of Sitech software are accessed and downloaded at the Sidereal Technology Website at: http://www.siderealtechnology.com/
UPDATE INFORMATION (as of 6/9/10):
The no kidding absolutely gotta have software you need to have to initially get up and running is:
- DotNet version 1.1 installed (must be done before the initial install of sitechexe.exe is done)
NOTE: Download from:
- ASCOM 4.1 Installed (assuming you want to use the ascom features of sitechexe.exe.
NOTE: Download from: http://download.ascom-standards.org/ascom41.exe
- ServoConfig.exe version 1-1 installed (must be done in order to load the controller firmware and config the controller)
- Controller firmware version 36e flashed to the controller flash ROM for all controllers used (version 36E.bin is latest)
- Sitechexe.exe installed (latest version is 55T)
- Sitech.dll installed (latest version is dated 7/3/09)
NOTE: An initial install requires using the SitechExe051.zip initial install package, which installs sitechexe.exe version 51 and all the basic support files and hooks into windows. Then you need to update the sitechexe.exe file to version 55T, and the sitech.dll file to the 7/3/09 version:
NOTE: Save the v36e.BIN file in the C:\ServoConfig folder, and use ServoConfig to flash the new firmware to the controller. Be sure that sitechexe and servoconfig are not connected to the controller at the same time (controller can only talk to one of them at a time). And, if you use two controllers (RA/Dec for one controller and focuser for the second for example) only one controller can be plugged into the RS232 port on the PC at a time when running ServoConfig. Both controllers will need to both be updated to v36e if you want to have both plugged into the same RS232 port....
NOTE: You can download and install version 5 (or later) of the ASCOM platform after installing version 4.1
NOTE: You can download and install later versions than 1.1 of the DotNet framework if other programs require the later versions, but you MUST leave the 1.1 version installed on your PC to support sitechexe.exe. Later versions install alongside not on top of) the 1.1 version
Additional files to use the advanced features of Sitechexe.exe are:
Additional sound files: (not strictly required but very handy):
- Soundfile updates.zip (unzip into the sound folder that is inside the sitech folder)
For mount modelling (automated if you use a CCD camera): (Read me files are in each of these downloads)
- CalPointsXPv1.09
- PlateSolveXPv1.16
- The Database for PlatesolveXP
NOTE:
The database for PlateSolveXP can be downloaded from http://siderealtechnology.com/APM.zip
Jim Roe has a mirror site for the PlatesolveXP database and you can download the whole enchilada at http://jamesroe.com/APM/APM.zip (538 MB)
or in smaller pieces at
For interfacing to LX200 programs:
- LXtoSitech080.zip
For interfacing to planetarium programs that do not have a straightforward ASCOM interface:
- MegaStar-to-ASCOM.zip
- TheSky_TeleAPIPlugin[1].zip
For using your mount and CCD camera to write with a star image:
Sky Writing files.zip
For doing troubleshooting on encoder (mount and motor) performance:
ChucksLogger1-3.zip
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SitechEXE051.zip is the "Initial Install" package. Be sure to have already installed the Microsoft Dot Net Framework version 1.1 (ok to also install later versions, but you MUST install version 1.1). Also install the latest version of the ASCOM initiative Platform.
ServoConfig1.1.zip is the latest version of the ServoConfig program. Unzip this file, and run the exe program. It will then create a directory c:\ServoConfig, and place the files to use the program there. This folder is also where you will save the updates to the firmware (V*.BIN) so ServoConfig can find them for updating the controller. This is the program used to configure the Sitech Controller itself with the latest firmware, and important information it needs about your mount. It also has very useful tools for helping to determine this information on your mount.
SkyWriting Files.zip is a collection of files required to use SitechEXE to use a mount to write designs using a ccd camera aimed at a star. Instructions for this are in the Operations Manual.
MegaStar-To-ASCOM.zip contains the files needed to run the LX-200 to ASCOM interpretor named MegaStar-To-ASCOM that was written and tailored specifically for allowing the planetarium program MegaStar (which is not ASCOM compliant) to be able to interface with ASCOM compliant programs like SitechExe. Thanks to the authors of MegaStar-To-ASCOM and com0com for allowing these programs to be re-distributed here.
TheSky requires changing out the TeleAPI.dll file to be able to work with ASCOM. The operations Manaual, Appendix B, page 165 has all the instructions, including the link on the ASCOM website to download the new teleAPI.dll. However, for you convenience it is in the download files here also. Be sure to run all the instructions in Appendix B for "TheSky" to set things up...
PlatesolveXP1.16.zip contains the latest update from Dave Rowe to PlatesolveXP.exe Unzip and save the file to the Sitech folder.
LXtoSiTech_080.zip contains the required files to set up SitechExe.exe to interface with programs that are not ASCOM compatible, but instead use LX-200 commands. The zip file contains the instructions for installing the program LXtoSitech.exe, the Program, and a freeware Virtual Serial Port program that is automatically called up by LXtoSitech and creates a virtual serial port that the non-ascom compatible program will connect to to send/receive its LX-200 commands.
Sitechdll7-3-09.zip is the latest updated version of the sitech.dll file. This file replaces the version located at C:\Program Files\Common Files\ASCOM\Telescope
PlatesolveXP1.16.zip contains the latest update from Dave Rowe to PlatesolveXP.exe. Unzip and place the following files in the C:\Program Files\Common Files\ASCOM\Telescope|Sitech folder:
PlateSolveXP.exe
AARemote.dll
Interop.MaxIm.dll
Save the file named "ListenSitech.neb" to your "My Documents" folder
Open the file named "ScriptedPxPOpsCueCard Rev C.xls with a spreadsheet program. It is a shorthand version of a checklist to setup and use the scripted PXP Operations capability.
CalPointsXP1.09.zip is the latest version of CalPointsXP by Dave Rowe. Unzip and place these files in the C:\Program Files\Common Files\ASCOM\Telescope\Sitech folder. This program is used by SitechEXE in the Scripted PXP capability that allows the mount to automatically build a PointXP model of the mount.
NOTE: You need to edit the file: Sample File - Sitech.hrz to document your local horizon. Then re-save it in the Sitech Folder, with the filename: Sitech.hrz Then be sure to delete the file: Sample File - Sitech.hrz
SitechExe055T.zip contains the latest Beta version of Sitechexe.exe and the version history of the last serveral updates to sitechexe.exe and the firmware. Unzip the sitechexe.exe file and use it to replace the one in the sitech folder at: c:\program files\common files\ASCOM\telescope\sitech