My boring guiding problems

[The Thing]

...that's why my Calibration Step is 1500, a compromise between movement and time taken.

[RobertM]

If you haven't already then change the autoguider cable.  Failing that I suggest you try autoguiding through a PC.

[Carole]

All of my cables are attached to the mount/scope with a velcro wrap leaving enough slack to actually plug them in.

That's exactly how I have mine set up Mick.

does PHD calibrate correctly when you initially setup ?

No Robert that is exactly my problem.  It takes sometimes several goes (fails in Dec) – sometimes it will work eventually and sometimes I have to give up and try a different part of the sky, but not consistent as above – one night it won't calibrate M81 area, but will M1 and another night it will be around the other way.

setting the length of calibration time and guide rate.

Is that within the Brain and if so, which of the above settings is this, it's not obvious except Calibration step which is currently set to 500.

If you haven't already then change the autoguider cable.  Failing that I suggest you try autoguiding through a PC.

I have a bought and am using a new cable and control guiding on the laptop (is this what you mean)?

Carole

[mickw]

I know you use a dehumidifier but do you leave camera, QHY and laptop in the observatory all the time ?

If yes, try taking the QHY indoors until you are going to use it (plug the end of the guide scope though).
I don't think the dehumidifier is doing the job.

[Carole]

No Mick, I bring in the laptop and cameras (after the experience with the SC3 needing drying out a few months ago, although I didn't have a dehumidifier that would work below 5 degrees then. 

Calibration Step is 1500

Where do I set this?

Carole

[Carole]

Guiding report:

I contacted Craig Stark but before doing so read the FAQs on the website.

Seems that calibration in Dec is a known problem in PHD as there is a whole paragraph on the subject and it appears to be due to backlash.  Upped my Calibration steps from 500 to 1200 and calibrated OK.  The guiding however was not as good as normal (I say, normal, what I mean is guiding once I can get past calibration).  

Hopefully starting to get there, might drop the calibration steps a bit and see if I can find a compromise.

that's why my Calibration Step is 1500, a compromise between movement and time taken

this goes along with your reasoning Duncan.

Carole