My astronomy project:
Setup a WIFI, Raspberry

Content:

1. Setup WIFI Hotspot, 64-bit OS
2. Setup WIFI Hotspot, 32-bit OS
3. Setup USB WIFI dongle, 64-bit OS
4. To be continued

Related projects:

• KStars / Setup GPS Raspberry
• KStars / Setup WIFI Hotspot Raspberry
• KStars / Linux commands and udev rules
• KStars / Raspberry Power
• Setup astroserver with Raspberry Pi3
• Setup astroserver with Raspberry Pi4
• Setup astroserver with Raspberry Pi5

Note:
I take no responsibility or liability for what are written here, you use the information on your own risk!

2, Setup WIFI Hotspot, 32-bit OS:

I do this on my Raspberry Pi4 with a 32-bit OS.

Until now I have controlled the Raspberry through the LAN network, I always had my equipment on the balcony when I learn how to use this Raspberry and its Linux technique. My bigger APO refractor will be connect that way, but my smaller setup with my HEQ5 mount and a Pentax 645 300 mm lens is thought to be portable. Then I setup the Raspberry as a hotspot and control it from a laptop or a tablet or even from the smartphone.

You can follow these projects at these pages:

• Project: HEQ5 mount
• Project: Pentax 645 300 mm ED f/4 lens

Setup the Raspberry as a Hotspot:

This isn't difficult because the software package Astroberry is by default setup to work as a Hotspot. The SSID of it's Astroberry and by default the password is also Astroberry. In your web browser or even better VNC you set the IP address as astroberry.local. For me it doesn't always work, I have to set the IP address direct, by default in Hotspot mode the IP address is: 10.42.0.1.

The image above show how it looks when connected with a LAN cable, wired connection. The WIFI icon only appear when connected wireless.

• Astroberry Server

I want to change the name and password for my Raspberry Hotspot. It could be that we are many people on a star meeting with the same kind of equipment. It will be chaotic, need to be different SSID and passwords. Sorry, image text partly in Swedish. Go to Setup>Advanced Network Configuration.

Highlight the Astroberry Hotspot, click on Setting icon below.

Type in a new name at the SSID row.

I gave the name astrofriend1. Change Surfzon to Hotspot.

I also change the default password to my own.

Save your new setting, before it take action I had to reboot the Raspberry.

Note:
This new password is only used when log in to the WIFI Hotspot, all other are still the default Astroberry. Sometimes there could be a need to change the channel WIFI communicate through. That could also be setup here, now it use the standard channel.

From my smartphone and the app WIFI Analyzer I check that the new WIFI channel astrofriend1 is there.

Log in with a laptop, tablet or smartphone:

I plan to use my tablet to control the Raspberry out in the field. Very small but still a high resolution screen and the battery last for many hours and if needed I can charge it from my USB backup battery.

Connect/Change WIFI network:

Whatever device you use you must first connect it to the Hotspot, go to the setting and WIFI. Look after your Raspberry, in my case the new name "Astrofriend1". Connect to it and use your new password you created above. Now you are ready to connect to the Raspberry.

Connect to Hotspot Raspberry:

In your web browser or even better VNC you set the IP address as astroberry.local. For me it doesn't always work, I have to set the IP address direct, by default Raspberry in Hotspot mode have the IP address: 10.42.0.1. When you connect it will ask for the password. This isn't the new password, this is the default password Astroberry.

Setup VNC app for the default IP address of Raspberry or the the name of it: astroberry.local.

I have found that VNC Viewer is the app that works best for me on my Android smartphone and tablet.

I have now tested the three devises I have and I made some comments here:

1. Laptop:
   My laptop is old, Windows 8 and 8GB RAM. The screen resolution is 1366x900. This laptop is useless, the low resolution of the screen make it very difficult to see the KStars windows. But convenient to have a keyboard. The battery bad too.

2. Android Tablet:
   This Pad has a high resolution screen, 1920x1200. Very easy to see details on the screen, even small text. But one big problem, there is no keyboard, of course. The overlay screen keyboard is difficult to get up on the screen. I think it's VNC that cause this problem, when I sweep to get it high lighted other things comes up. With another VNC app maybe it will be better.

3. Smartphone:
   It has 128GB RAM and high resolution screen, 1920x1080 or maybe even more. I use this smartphone when I do some work on the telescope and camera. Mostly when I focus the guide camera, then it's very handy to see the stars in KStars window on the smartphone. Until I get the tablet to work better this is my best option. Who could believe that ?

Tablet handle:

After some practice how to handle the tablet and KStars without a keyboard I got it to work very well. Most problem was it bring up the keyboard on the screen, the white list above. But once I for a glimpse get it up I can lock it on the screen with the pin, see arrow. I also tested to charge the tablet from my USB backup battery, it works that too.