User`s manual

Page 2
Introduction
The Shoestring Astronomy Guide Port Interface Adapter is designed specifically to work
between the parallel port of a desktop or laptop personal computer and the autoguider
port that is a feature on many different telescope mounts. It is a small but important piece
of a total system that allows you to economically autoguide your telescope for long
exposure astrophotography. A typical system includes your scope and mount, a webcam
with scope adapter, this interface adapter, and a personal computer running autoguide
software such as GuideDog from barkoSoftware (www.barkosoftware.com).
Features
• Plugs directly into the computer’s parallel port using a DB-25 male connector.
• Connects to the scope mount’s autoguider port using a six-wire RJ12 cable.
• Translates signals from pin 6, 7, 8, and 9 (D4, D5, D6, and D7) of the parallel
port to levels that are compatible with the autoguide port.
• Provides electrical isolation between the scope mount and the computer. This is
important to avoid noise pickup and ground loops that may be difficult to
troubleshoot.
• Passes all parallel port signals through to DB-25 female connector so that other
devices can be controlled with the remaining signals that come out of the parallel
port. An example would be a webcam that has been modified for long exposures.