Paramount GT-1100S and Paramount ME

PEMPro can create a raw PEC file for upload to the Paramount GT1100S and Paramount ME.

NOTE: PEMPro offers the following advantages over PrecisionPEC from Software Bisque:

  1. PEMPro works with cameras that MaximDL, CCDSoft V5, and AstroArt V3/V4 support. PrecisionPEC will only work with cameras supported by CCDSoft V5.
  2. PEMPro works with TheSky6 and TheSky5.
  3. PEMPro dynamically recenters a subframe so it can track a star across the entire CCD chip instead of the smaller fixed tracking area that PrecisionPEC allows for.
  4. PEMPro can use any arbitrary rotation of your camera.
  5. PEMPro can use stars at any declination (seeing may be significantly better overhead).
  6. Although PEMPro is already "tuned" for the harmonics normally found in Paramount ME and GT-1100S it can analyze and identify the exact harmonics (using the frequency spectrum feature) that cause periodic error.
  7. PEMPro can be used for other mounts should you already have one or ever purchase one.

Note: Some pictures on this page show "PEMPro v1.50" in the title, however these pictures still apply to v1.60 and later.

Steps to program the Paramount.

Make sure you have defined the appropriate mount type in the Mount/Scope Configuration dialog. You can also use the Mount Setup Wizard.

Also critical is to make sure you have the Southern Hemisphere checkbox set appropriately on PEMPro's setup page. Only check this checkbox if you are in the Southern Hemisphere.

Synchronizing PEMPro to the Paramount

Important note when using TheSky6: If you are using TheSky Version 6 you no longer need to manually synchronize PEMPro. PEMPro will automatically synchronize to the Paramount GT1100S and Paramount ME when you connect to TheSky6 in PEMPro.

Also, when using TheSky6, when you press Start on the Acquire Data page PEMPro automatically queries the mount for the current worm position and synchronizes the data that it is about to collect to the mount's worm phase. This means that you can freely move the mount before acquiring data without the risk of forgetting to synchronize PEMPro to the Paramount.

If you are using TheSky5, use the following procedure to synchronize PEMPro:

1. Connect to the mount from the setup page. When doing so you will be prompted to connect to TheSky 5 or 6. Select whichever one you have installed and want to use.

2. In TheSky5/6 go To Telescope | Options | More Settings and select the Periodic Error Correction tab.

3. Note the running PEC index counter (it should be decrementing quickly).

4. Go into the setup page of PEMPro and change the Sync Index value (only visible when the mount is connected) to a number lower than the running PEC index of the mount:

5. Watch the countdown in TheSky and as the PEC index in TheSky reaches the number you entered for the Sync Index press the Sync Worm Cycle button. If you make a mistake just try again.

IMPORTANT (this applies only when using TheSky5): Do not disconnect from the mount or move the mount in RA after synchronizing PEMPro. If you have to power cycle or Home the Paramount you will need to do this procedure again.

Building a Paramount PEC file in the PEMPro Create Curves dialog.

1. Use the Calibration Wizard to define the settings of your mount if they have changed recently.

2. Synchronize PEMPro to the Paramount (see above).

3. Acquire 5-6 worm periods of periodic error data.

4. Create a native Paramount PEC data file in the Create PE Curve Dialog:

5. Press Create Paramount PEC File to create the file. You will be asked if you need to invert the data. This depends on your camera configuration. I recommend you do not invert the data (unless you know it needs to be inverted) and stay in this dialog until you have a chance to confirm that the curve reduced PEC instead of making it worse.

6. Now, in TheSky 5/6, go to Telescope | Options | More Settings and select the Periodic Error Correction tab:

7. Hit Zero Flash. Any PEC curve will be replaced by a straight line.

8. Hit Paste. The PemPro-generated curve will be plotted and the Curve Fit and Upload buttons will be enabled.

9. Hit the Upload button to send the curve to the ME firmware. IMPORTANT: Do not hit the Curve Fit button.

10. When upload is complete, reboot the mount. For MKS3000 systems, the mount power must be recycled. For MKS4000 systems, the one with the USB port, hit the Normal button under System reboot. With both systems, you will then need to re-home the mount and the uploaded PEC curve should show on the Periodic Error Correction tab.

Paramount Quick PEC Wizard

With PEMPro you can also process the exact same CCDSoft Tracking files that you use as input to PrecisionPEC. PEMPro makes the process event simpler by providing this very easy to use wizard. You can access the wizard here:

The Wizard consists of a simple 4-step process. In Step 1 you select a previously created CCDSoft Tracking file to use. Press Open Log File and browse to the CCDSoft Tracking file that you wish to use.

PEMPro improves on what PrecisionPEC does by de-rotating the data by the angle it reads from the CCDSoft tracking file. It further improves the calculation by compensating for the scope's declination when the log was captured.

Click Next to continue.

In Step 2, enter the CCD Image Scale and the Declination of the star you intend to use. PEMPro will automatically adjust for declination (and camera rotation if you check De-rotate Periodic Error Data). Click Next to continue.

Step 3 is optional. You can use it to determine the camera angle but you can also change the direction later when creating a curve.

Step 4: You're done! Press Finish and the Create PEC Dialog will open and process the log file.

PEMPro will now display the processed curve:

NOTE: PEMPro is automatically configured to process the native harmonics of the ME and 1100S.

Now follow this procedure to get the PEC Curve to your mount.