Denny,

I have not had this issue before, typically when I do the auto focus process, it just finds the right focus and moves on. Recently it gives me a plate error and then eventually (although it takes much longer) uses all sky solution on line then it moves on to the color series I'm working.

I included the log below.

Any clues as to what is happening? BTW I'm also having some issues getting Scheduling to work but first I want to resolve this issue.

Mark (Observatory Tech for Prospect High School - supporting David Chisholm)

Logging to C:\Users\Public\Documents\ACP Web Data\Doc Root\logs\mhanson280\20170521\20170522@093258.log
Initializing AcquireSupport V8.1.1
Telescope is ACP->LX200GPS/R, driver V2
Dome is MaxDome
MaxIm DL is version 5.24
Imager is SBIG Universal
Selecting filter Red from previous ACP run at 20170521@061616 UTC
Guider is SBIG Universal (no rotator)
Guider plate scale unknown, guided dither with guider pixels
Max unguided exposure 30 sec.
(assuring that FocusMax is running now...)
Calculated unbinned plate scales (arcsec/pix): H = 0.61 V = 0.61
Calculated field of view (arcmin): H = 16.3 V = 12.2
Plate solving With GSC 1.1 (ok for wider fields)
All-sky plate solving will be attempted when needed
All-sky service at nova.astrometry.net will be used
This is AcquireImages V8.1.0
Compiling plan...
(using ACP Plan Compiler V8.1.0)
...plan OK!
This plan has 1 live target(s), 1 images
There are 4.0 min. of actual imaging time
Image file set-numbers start with 1
Starting run for plan last-plan-from-web.txt...
==== Starting target M 13 ====
;
; Single target color series plan by Mark Hanson, created Mon, 22 May 2017 09:32:58 UTC
;
(turning tracking on for live image(s))
Start slew to M 13...
(wait for slew to complete)
(slew complete)
(request plan-start pointing update)
Ready for M 13 (# 1 of 1 in set 1)
Selecting Luminance filter (3) for imaging
Do requested auto-focus...
Switching from Red to Luminance filter for auto-focus
Starting FocusMax AcquireStar autofocus...
FocusMax auto-focus successful!
HFD = 4.48
Focus position = 3146
Autofocus finished.
(no slew, scope already within max error of target)
(doing post-focus pointing update...)
Updating pointing...
Switching from Luminance to Clear filter for pointing exposure
(taking 30 sec. exposure, Clear filter, binning = 4)
(starting exposure)
(exposure complete)
(exposure complete and image downloaded)
Image finished
Plate-solve pointing image.
206 image stars found
138 catalog stars found
** Failed to solve plate, possibly due to input plate scale being too far off.
Start slew to offset...
(wait for slew to complete)
(slew complete)
(taking 30 sec. exposure, Clear filter, binning = 4)
(starting exposure)
(exposure complete)
(exposure complete and image downloaded)
Image finished
Plate-solve pointing image.
70 image stars found
67 catalog stars found
** Failed to solve plate, possibly due to input plate scale being too far off.
Attempting all-sky plate solution (time-consuming)...
All-sky solution successful!
Scope: 16:44:22 37° 00' 20"
Actual: 16:44:08 37° 01' 30"
Pointing error is 3.1 arcmin.
[sync] pointing model updated
Re-slew to target.
Start slew to M 13...
(wait for slew to complete)
(slew complete)
Target is now centered.
(long exp(s) or requested, no orbital tracking, trying to autoguide)
Switching from Clear to Luminance filter for imaging
(take guider image at initial interval 5 sec)
(guide star SNR=43.5 X=469 Y=327)
(first exposure estimate 1 sec)
(guide star SNR=10.8 X=469 Y=328)
(final exposure for guiding 1 sec)
(guide star SNR=11.5 X=469 Y=328)
(autoguiding at 1.00 sec.)