From reapsta at gmail.com  Tue Feb  1 16:38:50 2011
From: reapsta at gmail.com (Craig Williams)
Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 16:38:50 +0800
Subject: [RadioTelescope] Radiotelescope round 2
Message-ID: <AANLkTimL-sSWg28XTr1qVEhZ099sQ0BoWd_bVmYicR+f@mail.gmail.com>

Due to various other stuff (job, new house, etc) I kinda dropped this but
Harry is obviously keen to get going again soooo..

Who's interesting in doing some work this weekend?

We still need to fix up the controller box that is attached to the scope,
and replace the power (something I'm not too sure about).

We'd probably also need to provide a mounting solution for the board Harry
is building.

Anyone keen for Saturday evening?


------- Original Message --------
Subject: Radiotelescope project
Date: Tue, 01 Feb 2011 14:43:43 +0800
From: Harry <harrymc at ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au>
To: committee at ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au

Hello Committee

I'm about to build up an interface board (shield) between an Arduino Mega
and
the two stepper driver modules for the Radiotelescope.

I've got some stepper motor code done on the Arduino which could be used to
serially instruct the stepping (ramp up, constant speed slew, ramp down) in
the final system. Alternatively, it could be used for testing the mount
motion
and then reassigned to another project requiring an Arduino.

The parts cost (including Arduino Mega) is around $150 and I've just asked
Bob
whether that is appropriate expenditure to be reimbursed as a UCC project.
If
UCC has an Arduino Mega then the interface-board-only cost is closer to $70.

I can buy the parts and proceed but if it runs and remains at UCC, would
committee let me know if that is a recoverable cost ?

All the best
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From bob at ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au  Tue Feb  1 16:57:46 2011
From: bob at ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au (Bob Adamson)
Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 16:57:46 +0800 (WST)
Subject: [RadioTelescope] Radiotelescope round 2
In-Reply-To: <AANLkTimL-sSWg28XTr1qVEhZ099sQ0BoWd_bVmYicR+f@mail.gmail.com>
References: <AANLkTimL-sSWg28XTr1qVEhZ099sQ0BoWd_bVmYicR+f@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <alpine.DEB.2.00.1102011655590.4140@martello.ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au>

This would actually make a lot of sense, since there is a lan on at the 
same time and we have an all-night pass.

Bob Adamson
UCC Treasurer

|"Bureaucracy is a challenge to the be conquered with a righteous        |
|attitude, an intolerance for stupidity, and a bulldozer when necessary" |
| ---Peter's Laws                                                        |

On Tue, 1 Feb 2011, Craig Williams wrote:

> Due to various other stuff (job, new house, etc) I kinda dropped this but Harry is obviously keen to get going again soooo..
> 
> Who's interesting in doing some work this weekend?
> 
> We still need to fix up the controller box that is attached to the scope, and replace the power (something I'm not too sure about).
> 
> We'd probably also need to provide a mounting solution for the board Harry is building.
> 
> Anyone keen for Saturday evening?
> 
> 
> ------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Radiotelescope project
> Date: Tue, 01 Feb 2011 14:43:43 +0800
> From: Harry <harrymc at ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au>
> To:?committee at ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au
> 
> Hello Committee
> 
> I'm about to build up an interface board (shield) between an Arduino Mega and
> the two stepper driver modules for the Radiotelescope.
> 
> I've got some stepper motor code done on the Arduino which could be used to
> serially instruct the stepping (ramp up, constant speed slew, ramp down) in
> the final system. Alternatively, it could be used for testing the mount motion
> and then reassigned to another project requiring an Arduino.
> 
> The parts cost (including Arduino Mega) is around $150 and I've just asked Bob
> whether that is appropriate expenditure to be reimbursed as a UCC project. If
> UCC has an Arduino Mega then the interface-board-only cost is closer to $70.
> 
> I can buy the parts and proceed but if it runs and remains at UCC, would
> committee let me know if that is a recoverable cost ?
> 
> All the best
> 
> 

From harrymc at decisions-and-designs.com.au  Wed Feb  2 10:32:36 2011
From: harrymc at decisions-and-designs.com.au (Harry McNally)
Date: Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:32:36 +0800
Subject: [RadioTelescope] Radiotelescope round 2
In-Reply-To: <AANLkTimL-sSWg28XTr1qVEhZ099sQ0BoWd_bVmYicR+f@mail.gmail.com>
References: <AANLkTimL-sSWg28XTr1qVEhZ099sQ0BoWd_bVmYicR+f@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <4D48C244.70606@decisions-and-designs.com.au>

Hi Craig

I've been creating some stepper driver code on the Arduino as an excuse to use
the QPnano statecharts framework. I'm thinking of rearranging a couple of
things but it's pretty much there.

I felt that the last time the stepper driver box got worked on I stuck my
hands in the box and wired up the steppers as a solo effort but should have
stood back for the two other people that were there to get involved. They'll
have to speak up because I don't know their names (sorry).

So I'd like to suggest the following steps with me taking a back seat so more
people can have some fun with the project:

- I can setup the code on AVRStudio (windows) and the new QP-Modeler (Windows
or Linux) and show how to change and reprogramme the Arduino. Ah, it needs a
Dragon board, not sure if UCC has one of these but I can bring one down initially.

- Look at the present DC power supply and try to figure out why is was
designed as it is. The Stepper Driver manual on the wiki has some good tips on
PSU and layout in the cabinet so we could look at that for ideas. Decide
whether another DC supply is needed in the longer term.

- Wire the Arduino/Shield into the stepper driver boards and test with the
existing DC supply.

- Chat about the next stages for getting the motors and box back onto the
mount, mount re-greased, and dish attached for some dynamic tests.

I think that's a full evenings work even with all-night LAN time available.
That also hinges on people who do have ideas to help aren't also wanting to
play at the LAN. Perhaps another night is a better option ?

But my main goal is to put the Arduino and code into the system so other
people can decide how they want to take the project further. Making the mount
move is a good first step. What do you think ?

Harry

On 01/02/11 16:38, Craig Williams wrote:
> 
> Due to various other stuff (job, new house, etc) I kinda dropped this
> but Harry is obviously keen to get going again soooo..
> 
> Who's interesting in doing some work this weekend?
> 
> We still need to fix up the controller box that is attached to the
> scope, and replace the power (something I'm not too sure about).
> 
> We'd probably also need to provide a mounting solution for the board
> Harry is building.
> 
> Anyone keen for Saturday evening?
> 
> 
> ------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Radiotelescope project
> Date: Tue, 01 Feb 2011 14:43:43 +0800
> From: Harry <harrymc at ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au <mailto:harrymc at ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au>>
> To: committee at ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au <mailto:committee at ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au>
> 
> Hello Committee
> 
> I'm about to build up an interface board (shield) between an Arduino
> Mega and
> the two stepper driver modules for the Radiotelescope.
> 
> I've got some stepper motor code done on the Arduino which could be used to
> serially instruct the stepping (ramp up, constant speed slew, ramp down) in
> the final system. Alternatively, it could be used for testing the mount
> motion
> and then reassigned to another project requiring an Arduino.
> 
> The parts cost (including Arduino Mega) is around $150 and I've just
> asked Bob
> whether that is appropriate expenditure to be reimbursed as a UCC
> project. If
> UCC has an Arduino Mega then the interface-board-only cost is closer to $70.
> 
> I can buy the parts and proceed but if it runs and remains at UCC, would
> committee let me know if that is a recoverable cost ?
> 
> All the best
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> RadioTelescope mailing list
> RadioTelescope at ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au
> http://lists.ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/radiotelescope

From harrymc at decisions-and-designs.com.au  Sat Feb  5 16:03:17 2011
From: harrymc at decisions-and-designs.com.au (Harry McNally)
Date: Sat, 05 Feb 2011 16:03:17 +0800
Subject: [RadioTelescope] Radiotelescope hacking tonight
Message-ID: <4D4D0445.7080404@decisions-and-designs.com.au>


I'm just about to start building the interface board (hills ride this morning
followed by shopping has me feeling not very active).

Were there actually any takers to do radiotelescope this evening, other than
Craigs follow-up ?

I may get the board half built and could come down and go over the GDM manual
and so on but the advantage of an early night for me is a 6am ride to Areluin
tomorrow.

If anyone was wanting to do radiotelescope, I'd appreciate an ahoy and I'll
bring along what I've got done and get away early. I can keep going with the
board and software and get it all installed later in the week.

Harry



From harrymc at decisions-and-designs.com.au  Sat Feb  5 17:21:13 2011
From: harrymc at decisions-and-designs.com.au (Harry McNally)
Date: Sat, 05 Feb 2011 17:21:13 +0800
Subject: [RadioTelescope] Radiotelescope hacking tonight
In-Reply-To: <4D4D0445.7080404@decisions-and-designs.com.au>
References: <4D4D0445.7080404@decisions-and-designs.com.au>
Message-ID: <4D4D1689.20007@decisions-and-designs.com.au>

Sorry, reply to self update.

For further amusement, it looks like the picker at SoanarPlus has cut the
connector I got on Friday (possibly by cutting the tube it was in to transfer
it to to a loose bag). Emailed SoanarPlus but getting the board alive is not
until next week. Grr.

Thanks Bob for raising the request for parts in the minutes.

Harry

On 05/02/11 16:03, Harry McNally wrote:
> 
> I'm just about to start building the interface board (hills ride this morning
> followed by shopping has me feeling not very active).
> 
> Were there actually any takers to do radiotelescope this evening, other than
> Craigs follow-up ?
> 
> I may get the board half built and could come down and go over the GDM manual
> and so on but the advantage of an early night for me is a 6am ride to Areluin
> tomorrow.
> 
> If anyone was wanting to do radiotelescope, I'd appreciate an ahoy and I'll
> bring along what I've got done and get away early. I can keep going with the
> board and software and get it all installed later in the week.
> 
> Harry
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> RadioTelescope mailing list
> RadioTelescope at ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au
> http://lists.ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/radiotelescope
>