GPS problems in a dome

Hello,

I am looking for a solution to my problem: I have a Meade LX200 14"
GPS scope in an Ash Dome. The Dome shields the scopes GPS system from
getting data.
Meade doesn't have an accessory to fix this.
Does anyone out there have a solution to this problem?

On 19 Feb 2007 07:33:17 -0800, wrote:

I am looking for a solution to my problem: I have a Meade LX200 14"
GPS scope in an Ash Dome. The Dome shields the scopes GPS system from
getting data.
Meade doesn't have an accessory to fix this.
Does anyone out there have a solution to this problem?

I think the GPS can be disabled- you shouldn't need it in a fixed
installation.

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com

On Feb 19, 9:40 am, Chris L Peterson wrote:
On 19 Feb 2007 07:33:17 -0800, wrote:

I think the GPS can be disabled- you shouldn't need it in a fixed
installation.

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatoryhttp://www.cloudbait.com

Exactly. If you're not moving the scope around and (I assume) have it
mounted on a wedge, there's no need for GPS.

Unk Rod

On Feb 19, 9:33 am, wrote:
Hello,

I am looking for a solution to my problem: I have a Meade LX200 14"
GPS scope in an Ash Dome. The Dome shields the scopes GPS system from
getting data.
Meade doesn't have an accessory to fix this.
Does anyone out there have a solution to this problem?

I wonder about the small GPS antenna systems included with telescopes.
My meteorological equipment at work which has a "large" antenna has
very little trouble getting a GPS lock, yet the add on GPS system with
my ETX-90 has a lot of trouble getting more than 1 or 2 satellites
from the same location.

wrote in message
ups.com...
Hello,

I am looking for a solution to my problem: I have a Meade LX200 14"
GPS scope in an Ash Dome. The Dome shields the scopes GPS system from
getting data.
Meade doesn't have an accessory to fix this.
Does anyone out there have a solution to this problem?


Maybe a re-radiating antenna?? This device is mounted in the clear where it
has a good shot at the sky. It receives signals from the satellites then
re-transmits them so a GPS receiver that is screened from the sky receives a
good signal.

http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/reradiating.php

http://www.gpsinformation.org/dale/gpsant.htm

http://www.navtechgps.com/supply/rerad.asp

On the other hand -- my understanding of things is that the GPS system is
used to tell the scope's computer (1) where the scope is located, and, (2)
the precise date and time. Because your scope is mounted in a dome, it's
not moving so you don't worry about the location. Date and time, however,
may be a problem. -- OR -- does this scope require new location, date, and
time info every time it's used? If that's the case, you need to use the
GPS.

If the scope remembers where it is and if it keeps up with the date and time
even with power off, then, it seems as though you would not need the GPS.
Just a thought.

wrote:
Hello,

I am looking for a solution to my problem: I have a Meade LX200 14"
GPS scope in an Ash Dome. The Dome shields the scopes GPS system from
getting data.
Meade doesn't have an accessory to fix this.
Does anyone out there have a solution to this problem?

Where exactly is your dome?

RMOLLISE wrote:
On Feb 19, 9:40 am, Chris L Peterson wrote:
On 19 Feb 2007 07:33:17 -0800, wrote:

I think the GPS can be disabled- you shouldn't need it in a fixed
installation.

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatoryhttp://www.cloudbait.com

Exactly. If you're not moving the scope around and (I assume) have it
mounted on a wedge, there's no need for GPS.

Unk Rod

Agreed. However in a fixed location the purpose of the GPS is to
automatically input the correct date and time.
You can do this manually but it is easier to let george do it.

Dave N

Yo' Momma wrote:
wrote in message
ups.com...
Hello,

I am looking for a solution to my problem: I have a Meade LX200 14"
GPS scope in an Ash Dome. The Dome shields the scopes GPS system from
getting data.
Meade doesn't have an accessory to fix this.
Does anyone out there have a solution to this problem?


Maybe a re-radiating antenna?? This device is mounted in the clear where it
has a good shot at the sky. It receives signals from the satellites then
re-transmits them so a GPS receiver that is screened from the sky receives a
good signal.

http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/reradiating.php

http://www.gpsinformation.org/dale/gpsant.htm

http://www.navtechgps.com/supply/rerad.asp

On the other hand -- my understanding of things is that the GPS system is
used to tell the scope's computer (1) where the scope is located, and, (2)
the precise date and time. Because your scope is mounted in a dome, it's
not moving so you don't worry about the location. Date and time, however,
may be a problem. -- OR -- does this scope require new location, date, and
time info every time it's used? If that's the case, you need to use the
GPS.

If the scope remembers where it is and if it keeps up with the date and time
even with power off, then, it seems as though you would not need the GPS.
Just a thought.




The only problem I have found with time measurement devices, be they
analog or digital, is that they do not keep precise time. Atomic clocks
must be periodically recalibrated usin the average result of many other
clocks. The time period provided by the rotation of the earth must be
adjusted periodically due to the tidal slowing caused by the presence of
the moon.
If a telescope has a continuously running clock, that clock must be
periodically reset due to slight changed in it's operation. This fact of
life gives cause for the atleast periodic running of the GPS system.

Dave Nagel
LX200 GPS SMT SAP UHTC 10" Wireless ALT-AZ

On Tue, 20 Feb 2007 09:31:08 -0600, "David G. Nagel"
wrote:

Agreed. However in a fixed location the purpose of the GPS is to
automatically input the correct date and time.
You can do this manually but it is easier to let george do it.

However, in most cases a setup like this will be controlled by a
computer. Telescope control software is perfectly capable of
synchronizing the time with the mount. After the first sync, the mount
doesn't need its time to be super accurate, anyway.

Most people I know with a fixed LX200 GPS disable the GPS simply because
they get tired of waiting for the scope to get its bearings. With the
GPS off, you turn on the scope, unpark, and are ready to go.

(Actually, I'm surprised the GPS doesn't work through the dome. I have a
GPS time receiver on my observatory computer, and it works just fine
through a steel rolloff roof. I'd think a fiberglass dome would be no
problem at all.)

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com

David G. Nagel wrote:
The only problem I have found with time measurement devices, be they
analog or digital, is that they do not keep precise time. Atomic clocks
must be periodically recalibrated usin the average result of many other
clocks. The time period provided by the rotation of the earth must be
adjusted periodically due to the tidal slowing caused by the presence of
the moon.

If a telescope has a continuously running clock, that clock must be
periodically reset due to slight changed in it's operation. This fact of
life gives cause for the atleast periodic running of the GPS system.

Dave Nagel

Just curious as to what you are timing that might require attosecond
accuracy.

My computer keeps my Losmandy mount within .005 second (better, I
think,) which makes it fairly easy for me to find the moon :--) It also
is good enough to time events related to the Galilean satellites and
such like.

Davoud

--
usenet *at* davidillig dawt com