Modifying a D-Link Netqam for long Exposures.

john(at)firingnow(full stop)com

Apologies for this very quick and dirty page.  I've got a million things to do, but it's not fair to hold the information to myself when those that made it possible were so generous.  One day I'll have time to update this with more details and photographs - who knows, I might even get to attach the camera to my telescope!

I cannot solder neatly to save my life - this project is not as daunting as it appears.  Go for it safe in the knowledge that the camera cost less than £20 :-)

The picture below shows how one cut can be made to separate the three tracks required and where the six wires need to be connected.  I used a scalpel and made a straight slice across - slowly so as not to slip and overdo it.  Wires were soldered to pads or vias by pre-tinning them, holding them in position and applying the iron.

This picture is of a simple stripboard layout that provides serial control of single frames.  No amp-off or interlaced downloading (yet...)  The circuit is for a 4066B chip and uses a SIL network resistor pack in place of the separate 10kohm ones shown in other circuits.

I have attached the RTS line to the guts of a USB-RS232 converter and then attached that to the guts of a USB hub.  Only one USB port on my laptop is required. (make sure you carry through the screen connection of the USB components or Windows will puke when it tries to recognise the devices.

Best of luck - let me know how you all get on.

STOP PRESS.....

I've finally had the time and the weather to get it all together and here is my first success:

Nothing spectacular really, but all mine!  This is a stack of around 20 15s exposures, uncooled and taken through my ETX125 at prime focus through a homemade focal reducer (i.e. magnifying glass!)

John Taylor

"Thank you"s:

Steve Chambers - nuff said.  Electron Guru!

Arthur Edwards - for daring to do it first and for spotting the cheap source of cameras (www.scan.co.uk)