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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/
The database for PlateSolveXP can be downloaded from http://siderealtechnology.com/APM.zip or http://jamesroe.com/APM.zip UPDATE INFORMATION (as of 10/21/09):
SitechEXE055J is the latest pre-release "stable" version of the driver. Be sure to use the latest sitech.dll and the latest firmware in the controller (v36C) with this driver. Simply unzip the sitechexe file and save it in the c:\program files\common files\ASCOM\telescope\sitech folder. Save the v36c.BIN file in the C:\ServoConfig folder, and use ServoConfig to flash the new firmware to the controller. Be sure that sitechexe and servoconfig cannot be connected to the controller at the same 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 v36c if you want to have both plugged into the same RS232 port....
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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.
Sitech.dll is the latest updated version of the sitech.dll file. This file replaces the version located at C:\Program Files\Common Files\ASCOM\Telescope
CalPointsXP1.09.zip is the latest version of ClaPointsXP by Dave Rowe. Unzip and place this file 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.
ScriptedPXP Files.zip contains 5 files required to use the Scripted PXP Operations capability. Unzip and place the following 3 files in the C:\Pprogram Files\Common Files\ASCOM\Telescope|Sitech folder
AARemote.dll
Interop.MaxIm.dll
Sample File - Sitech.hrz
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.
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
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.
PlatesolveXP1.13.zip contains the latest update from Dave Row to PlatesolveXP.exe Unzip and save the file to the Sitech folder.
LXtoSiTech_072.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.
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...