Reloading the ASIAIR Plus with Open Astro 1.0

[@VilenSharifov]

hi Joey, thank you very much for your effort. You saved my time with the issue of not working USB after installing the astroberry on ASIAIR Plus. Now it's my turn to save your time :) When I disassembled the AA+ I saw 2 contact holes next to the SD card slot. That is actually the boot jumper which can be triggered by simple paper clip :) For flashing the new software you will need to use the type-c connector on the board (using the rpiboot app). Cheers! Clear skies!

[@JTAstro]

Sweet so you don't need the Compute Module 4 io board then? Very cool I'll have to try this out! I have plans to also release a 64bit kernel as well.

[@VilenSharifov]

@@JTAstro yep! so it becomes quite easy! The ones who will want to install will need to know how to install rpiboot and that's it :) Forgot to mention - 2 holes are between SD card slot and LAN connector

[@JTAstro]

@@VilenSharifov thanks for that I may make another video after I get the new Kermal built. Been too busy with work these days to post on anything.

[@VilenSharifov]

@@JTAstro you are welcome! Will wait for your new vid! CS

[@JTAstro]

@@VilenSharifov posted a new video on StellarMate and gave you a shout out!

[@Microtonal_Cats]

Interesting. Does this allow adding non-Zwo cameras and accessories? I know that default is that only Zwo astro cams (plus some DSLRs) will work with it.

[@JTAstro]

💯 You can use any DSLR or Astro camera you want that has drivers written for INDI. I have since released OpenAstro 2.0 which allows you to run even more stuff based on what you like. www.openastro.net/. Currently I'm working on a new INDIGO Sky image as well. I'll be releasing a video and walk through of that software suite when it's completed.

[@AstroCrescentDIY]

Nice upgrade 👍🏼.

[@JTAstro]

Thanks! I am almost done releasing Astroberry for the ASIAIR Plus as well. Should have it done in a few hours as it's ripping the image currently.

[@anfelobo]

Hi Joey, thank you very much ¿ Can use it with AsiAir mini?

[@JTAstro]

Not yet we are still poking the bear. We have been able to root the mini's on CN but are not able to replace the OS yet. Joshumax released the root script for all the devices (pro,plus,mini,seestar) www.cloudynights.com/topic/900861-seestar-s50asiair-jailbreak-ssh/

[@TheJoshuaCarter]

I'm assuming this would void my warranty. But this is great. I have a ASIair Plus and have been trying to figure out what to do with my old Pro.

[@JTAstro]

Hard to say. Maybe but your only reloading software you can always reload it back. There was no seal on either the pro or plus so it's not like you're breaking a seal.

[@raymondlillard1054]

Using k stars, should enable me to use my nightcrawler. Zwo doesn't play nice with many peripherals not supplied by them. I don't have an immediate need for this, but I certainly will keep it in mind.

[@ashviksinha447]

Hi Joey, thanks for putting this together, don’t think anyone has a similar video so really useful for me. You website mentions this change can also be done using StellarMate,but I could not find an image on your website. I have my own paid version of StellarMate that I tried loading through this process, but that does not enable the USB ports. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@JTAstro]

Your very welcome! The problem with StellarMate is it's proprietary so I can't rerelease the image without their permission. Since you seem very familiar with working with the Pi since you were able to load it up you can build my custom kernel which fixes the issue with the USB not working. As long as the Pi Board is loaded up with StellarMate you will want to build the kernel on a Linux PC. I used Ubuntu 20.10 64bit and then connect the Pi to the Linux PC and replace the kernel. I have all the steps listed here on compiling and copying over the files github.com/open-astro/linux. This setup would be designed for a 32bit version of StellarMate and not the 64bit version just a FYI. I never tested the 64bit kernel.

[@ashviksinha447]

Thanks so much! Joey, I will try in next few days and let you know how it goes. Currently I have the 64 bit version of StellarMate installed but if that does not work, I don’t mind going back to 32 bit

[@JTAstro]

@@ashviksinha447 you can build the 64bit kernel but honestly 32bit is all you need as there is only 4gb of ram on the ZWO boards.

[@ashviksinha447]

Yes that is correct, the CM4 module I got has 4gb ram … thanks

[@siegfriedberger7009]

Hi Joey, why should I do this? Any Advantages?

[@JTAstro]

The only reason to reload and try a new Astro Operating system is if you are using any non ZWO or non Nikon/Canon DSLRs think Sony or Fuji. The big advantage is it's all open source so you can support any Astro hardware i.e. QHY cameras, Astro Domes, Weather Stations, etc.

[@nightrook5732]

Can I control it using a mobile app? I need portability

[@JTAstro]

Sorry for the delay, yes you can use the following mobile app on Android github.com/marcocipriani01/Telescope.Touch it should be in the play store as well. Again Open Astro is based on INDI so any INDI client will work indilib.org/about/clients.html

[@rob2323]

Any hack for the 32gig SD card limit on the Air+?

[@JTAstro]

@@rob2323 is this the Raspberry Pi or the Rockchip? You can tell from the bottom of the device based on the model number. If it's the Rockchip I have not rooted or modified but someone on Cloudy Nights may be able to help. If it's the RPi I can do some testing.

[@ashutoshvaidya7083]

Hey, is it possible to just enable SSH without flashing another OS? I don’t have the IO board but I have another Raspberry Pi 4 and Mac. What I am looking for is just enable the SSH access on ASIAIR Plus and investigate further why my GEM 45 2021+ keeps on disconnecting from the ASIAIR Plus with external USB hub.

[@JTAstro]

It's not possible as you need to get to the OS level or local file to make changes. The only way to modify the OS is the IO board. The Pro was way easier to root and I'm sure the reason ZWO went with the RPI4 Compute is most users won't pop for the IO board to mess with it. In terms of the GEM 45 make sure you have the most updated firmware and also turn off DST. With my GEM35 I use WiFi and it works fine.

[@fuzzball297]

Is there a simple way to only change the config file and disable wifi (and bluetooth if it has it) on the ASIAir? Something like dtoverlay=disable-wifi or dtoverlay=disable-bt? I am using the Mini btw, with the Rockchip board, I believe, not the Pi. Thanks

[@JTAstro]

If you are talking the stock ASIAIR OS you can plug in the USB to a PC and edit the config.txt www.animmouse.com/p/how-to-disable-wifi-and-bluetooth-on-raspberry-pi/#for-raspberry-pi-os-formerly-raspbian

[@fuzzball297]

@@JTAstro Sorry I might have edited my comment before I saw you replied. I believe my ASIAir Mini is using the Rockchip board, does it still work the same?

[@JTAstro]

@@fuzzball297 with the mini when you connect it to your PC you might still see the config.txt specially if you connect it to a Linux computer/virtual machine. I have a mini as well so I can check it out tonight. Still working on rooting these devices not as easy as the Raspberry Pi's with the Pro and 1st Gen Plus.

[@fuzzball297]

@@JTAstro Thanks for the help! Currently trying to make my rig RF quiet since I plan to use it near some radio telescopes. Could also use a dummy load on the antenna port but I'd rather be more cautious, since it can still leak and possibly cause some RFI.

[@JTAstro]

@@fuzzball297 The only concern I can see if you turn off the WiFi on the Mini is it will be useless to image as it does not have a network port. You would be better off with the Pro or Plus. When connecting the Mini to my PC and Linux system I am not seeing any other directories than the normal image storage so you probably won't be able to do what you are hoping to do. Also the settings I gave you were for the PI and not the Rockchip so those settings won't work either. I would recommend looking for a used Pro, there are out there just need to find one.

[@Rapid81]

The one I bought doesn't look like yours at all. My board is a completely custom design. I sent you a message on FB and the images. I hope you can help me. Thanks!

[@JTAstro]

Sounds like you got the new Rockchip board ZWO moved too. I have the new Mini that also has the Rockchip as well and so far no one has had a lot of luck messing with it. Ideally you may want to buy the ASIAIR Pro used. More details are on CN www.cloudynights.com/topic/835556-the-open-astro-initiative-zwo-asiair-proplus/

[@DOOBU]

Hello, Do you know what code asiair gets the serial number of pi? I need your help

[@JTAstro]

I do not. You would need to contact ZWO for assistance.

[@carbonbadu]

Hello Joey, is there any way to install asi air os on rpi 4 ?

[@JTAstro]

ZWO has the restore image on their site , however you will need a license file that is associated with ZWO and the RPI4. The only way to get it working properly is to buy one of the ASIAIR Pro devices.