FindHome

[astrocalina]

Hello,
I've an other question about SharpCap; I want to create a script that move my telescope to the home position:
I tried to use this pyton command:

SharpCap.Mounts.SelectedMount.AscomMount.FindHome()

but when I try to execute it I receive back this error:

Exception: FindHome is not implemented in this driver

is it my mistake or is it really not implemented (and how can I workaround the issue?)

Thank you

[admin]

Hi,

'FindHome' is one of the optional parts of the ASCOM standard, so there is no requirement for ASCOM drivers to implement it, even if it is available via some other route (the handset, or the dedicated PC software for the mount). There is even a 'CanFindHome' property that allows you to ask the ASCOM driver if it is capable of finding the home position or not.

So, I suspect the error is correct - your mount driver doesn't support this functionality.

cheers,

Robin

[astrocalina]

Thank you admin,
but I need to move my mount to the home position or via script or via sequencer; is there any way to do it? My mount (connected via ASCOM driver) is a Skywatcher AZ EQ6
Thank you

[admin]

Hi,

could you tell the mount to park and then unpark? Normally parking puts the mount in the home position (although this can be customized).

cheers,

Robin

[astrocalina]

I'm using EQMOD and I've configured on it an other parking position (that is not the home), so I suppose that is not possible to park it on an other parking position too (that is configured on EQMOD).
on EQMOD I have:
- the home position
- my parking position
Thank you

[admin]

Hi,

ah, OK, in that case I think you are stuck I'm afraid. It's EQMOD that is not implementing the 'FindHome' part of ASCOM, so any home position movement is only going to be available via the EQMOD user interface. EQMOD is also not really being updated any more, so it's unlikely that the feature will be added.

It may be worth checking the EQMOD documentation to see if there is a way around this using purely eqmod (perhaps it has a command line program that can be used to do things?) - not sure that I ever recall seeing anything like that.

There are also alternative ASCOM drivers for Skywatcher mounts - I moved from EQMOD to GreenSwampServer a while back. It might be that GSS has FindHome implemented (not something I have checked I am afraid).

cheers,

Robin