Initial Setup and Focusing:
As with all of our products, we recommend a user become
familiar with the product indoors in a well-lit setting before venturing
outside. A rooftop may be the best place to mount an All Sky
camera, but it is the worst place in the world to be installing software
and learning camera operation, particularly in the dark. Also, do not
try to go to Bluetooth immediately – start with a wired connection.
Begin by installing the software to your PC. Make sure you have
administrator privileges on the PC, and insert SBIG’s software disk.
A screen should pop up in a few seconds. Select “SG-4, AllSKy-
340” software to install and, on the next screen, select “Install
AllSKy-340”. The software should install automatically. You might
also choose to install CCDOPS at this time. (Note – CCDOPS will
not communicate with the AllSky 340. It can display FITS files
saved with the AllSky Program, but that is all.) Next, connect the 9-
pin serial cable between a serial port on your PC and the AllSky
Camera’s RS-232 port. If your computers does not have a serial port,
one can be easily implemented using an USB-RS-232 converter. One
we have had good luck with is the FTDI US232R-10-BLK, but there
are many to choose from. We stock this converter if you wish to
purchase it, and the drivers are also on the software disk. Finally,
hook up the power to the AllSky camera, making sure the connector
is well seated and does not wiggle (which would cause the power to
be intermittent). Power up the unit, and flip the small recessed Power
On/Off switch toward the lettering. The red LED in the switch
should light steadily.
Launch the SBIG AllSky340 software. You will see the
screen shown in Figure Three as well as one or two image windows.
Figure Three AllSky340 Main Software Screen
The first item to try is under the Setup menu item - Serial Port. This
will open up a window you can use to test the RS-232 link. There
you can enter the COM port and the baud rate, and hit TEST. If you
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