To enter the test program, first load BASIC or GWBASIC
(whichever your computer system uses), then type in the LX200
T E S T program. When complete, save the program as
LX200TST.BAS. To use this program, connect the completed
cable to your PC serial port and to the LX200 RS-232 port. Load
BASIC (or GWBASIC), if it is not already loaded, and run
LX200TST.BAS. Nothing will appear on the computer screen.
Press any one of the N, S, E, or W (lower case) keys on your PC
keyboard, this will move the LX200 North, South, East, or West,
respectively. To stop, press the space bar on the PC keyboard.
Press X to exit the program.
If the LX200 does not respond to the N, S, E, or W keys, be sure
the CAPSLOCK is OFF. If it still does not work, check the PC
serial port pinouts of your computer to be sure they are wired
correctly to the LX200 6-line connector.
With a successful check-out of the PC link with the LX200 using
LX200 TEST, you are now ready to write your own software
program using the LX200 command set, or to use the sample
program called DEMO that is written in Quick Basic software
language.
LX200 Command Set
Intended for professional programmers, the LX200 command
set is used to write custom software for remote operation of the
telescope with a PC. Each command is listed in a section
appropriate to its type. Each entry in the command list includes
the command name, any parameters, any return values, and a
description. The parameters and the return data are shown in a
manner that indicates their format. These formats are listed
below, along with examples of how the data might actually
appear, the legal range of values, and a short description.
1.
Command Set Formats
HH:MM.T
Example 05:47.4
Range 00:00.0 - 23:59.9
Hours, minutes, and tenths of minutes .
sDD*MM
Example +45*59
Range -90*00 - +90*00
Signed degrees and minutes (the '*' represents
ASCII 223, which appears on the handbox as a
degree symbol).
DDD*MM
Example 254*09
Range 000*00 - 359*59
Unsigned degrees and minutes.
HH:MM:SS
Example 13:15:36
Range 00:00:00 - 23:59:59
Hours, minutes, and seconds.
MM/DD/YY
Example 02/06/92
Range 01/01/00 - 12/31/99 (see description)
Month, day, and year. The two digit year
indicates the following:
92-99 = 1992-1999
00-91 = 2000-2091
sHH
Example -5
Range -24 - +24
Signed hour offset.
NNNN
Example 3456
Range 0000 - 9999
Four-digit object number.
sMM.M
Example 02.4
Range 05.5 - 20.0
Signed magnitude value.
NNN
Example 134
Range 000 - 200
Three-digit object size (minutes).
DD*
Example 56*
Range 00* - 90*
Higher parameter (degrees).
TT.T
Example 59.2
Range 56.4 - 60.1
Tracking frequency.
<obj> info
Example CNGC1976 SU DNEBMAG 3.9 SZ 66.0'
Range n/a
Object information.
Ok
Example 1
Range 0 or 1
Status value returned after setting values. If the value
is legal, 1 is returned, otherwise 0 is returned.
2.
General Telescope Information
Command :GR#
Returns +HH:MM.T#
Gets the current R.A.
Command :GD#
Returns sDD*MM#
Gets the current Dec.
Command :GA#
Returns sDD*MM#
Gets the current altitude.
Command :GZ#
Returns DDD*MM#
Gets the current azimuth.
Command :GS#
Returns HH:MM:SS#
Gets the current sidereal time .
Command :SS HH:MM:SS#
Returns Ok
Sets the sidereal time.
Command :GL#
:Ga#
Returns HH:MM:SS#
Gets the local time either in 24-hour (GL) or 12-hour (Ga)
format.
Command :SL HH:MM:SS#
Returns Ok
Sets the local time. NOTE: The parameter should always
be in 24-hour format.
Command :GC#
Returns MM/DD/YY#
Gets the calendar date.
Command :SC MM/DD/YY#
Returns Ok (see description)
Sets the calendar date. NOTE: After the Ok, if the date is
valid, two strings will be sent. The first will contain the
message UPDATING PLANETARY DATA, the second (sent
after the planetary calculations) will contain only blanks.
Both strings will be terminated by the “#”symbol.
