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  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementBase::execute($args = [], $options = []) should either be compatible with PDOStatement::execute(?array $params = null): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2244 of /home1/dhulse/public_html/_eqmac/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home1/dhulse/public_html/_eqmac/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home1/dhulse/public_html/_eqmac/includes/database/database.inc).
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  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home1/dhulse/public_html/_eqmac/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: strlen(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($string) of type string is deprecated in drupal_random_bytes() (line 2268 of /home1/dhulse/public_html/_eqmac/includes/bootstrap.inc).
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Welcome to EQMac

This site is the home for the EQMac software, designed to control Skywatcher and certain Atlas equatorial mounts directly from your Mac. Here you will find some basic guides on configuring and using the software, as well as downloads.

If you have any requests, questions, or comments about the software, please use the contact form in the menu, or you can find me on Stargazers' Lounge as OzDave.

URL Change

Effective immediately, I have changed the main URL of this site to be http://eqmac.hulse.id.au/. The old URL will redirect you to the correct place. However, you should update any bookmarks that you may have.

Download issue

If you have tried to download EQMac v1.2.1 since I made it available, you may have noticed that you can't unzip it. I've corrected this problem and you should download the application again. It may be necessary to clear your browser cache for this to work properly depending on your setup.

EQMac v1.2.1 Released!

This version contains a bug fix that could have caused random crashes on older Intel-based Macs. I have also added a crash report facility that will enable EQMac to detect that it crashed and, with your permission, send me a crash report so that I can address the issue. If EQMac has crashed in the past, you may notice it asking you (possibly the next few times you start it) to send me the crash reports. Please bear with it and eventually it will stop asking.

EQMac v1.2.0 Released!

This release of EQMac provides the following updates:

  • Fixes a possible connectivity bug when interfacing with Sky Safari or other applications.
  • Adds the ability to define custom mount positions and select which position to use for Park/Unpark (see Park Preferences).
  • Will preserve sync data between sessions provided that you park the mount before closing EQMac. When you start the next session EQMac will ask whether you want to load the previous sync data, or discard it and start again. A future release will allow you to have multiple sets of sync data and make things a little more flexible here.
dave's picture

Focuser Hardware Completed

27 June 2012 - 5:19pm — dave

After some months spent waiting to acquire various parts, and not being able to work on things due to work commitments, I have finally managed to complete the focuser hardware and have mounted the control circuit boards in a neat plastic box on the mounting bracket. The engineering required to get all of the circuitry into such a small box was fairly challenging, with a double decker stacked circuit board arrangement. However, the final result is quite pleasing. I'll try to post an image when I've got it fully attached to the telescope.

dave's picture

New Project - FocusMac

4 March 2012 - 10:20pm — dave

Recently I started building myself a motorized focuser based on the ideas generated by the SGL Observatory Automation group. I'm part-way through the build, although I still have the circuitry attached to a breadboard and I am writing my own firmware to drive the focuser. I could have just used the SGL firmware, but as a developer, I wanted to have the fun of doing this bit myself. In the process, I think I will be able to implement some improvements, such as allowing the focuser motor to move while the firmware remains responsive to the serial command protocol.

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