0

SkySafari 5 Plus | Celestron CPC + SkyPortal WiFi Module Connection Failure on Android (Solution: CheckBox For "Don't Ask Again For This Network")

Carlos Montes

February 16, 2018 10:05

Answered

Follow

I have a Celestron skyportal wifi module which sometimes I use to control my Celestron CPC 800 GPS with my Android phone via  SkysSafari 5 Plus. The truth is that I was never able to link the phone with the scope by using the "Celestron CPC series" Scope Type option, but could make it work properly by using the "Celestron Wi-Fi" one. However, the last time I tried to do so, it didn't work and a "Connection Failure" message stubbornly pops up saying "SkySafary Plus can't make a wireless connection to the scope. Make sure the scope is powered on and you've joined its Wi-Fi network". The scope was duly powered, the wifi module was connected and blinking and my phone could see its Wi-Fi signal and was properly linked to it. What am I doing wrong?.
If I choose the "Celestron CPC series" as the Scope Type and in the Communication Settings I choose "Connect via WiFi" it fails to "Auto-Detect SkyFi"  and prompts me to provide a "SkyFi Name" and a "Port Number", values which I don't know how to fill and if I press the "SkyFi Web Page" button it goes to a blank site...
Best regards,

Carlos

• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn

8 comments

• 0
  
  Keiron Smith April 13, 2018 21:56

  Hi Carlos, 

  When using a Celestron SkyPortal WiFi Module you must always choose "Celestron WiFi" as the ScopeType option in SkySafari.

  On Android, the SkySafari "Celestron CPC Series" ScopeType options is only for use with SkyFi 3 or SkyBT.

  Sorry for the slow reply to your query.  Thanks for your patience.

• 0
  
  Carlos Montes April 16, 2018 12:27

  Hi Keiron, thanks for replying. Ok, I won't try the "Celestron CPC Series" option but the problem, I'm afraid, still remains: Since a couple of months ago, when I try the "Celestron Wi-Fi" option all I get is a connection failure message. I've also asked Celestron for support on this issue and they have suggested that I try to stablish the link in a less populated area (due to wifi signal interference?). I'll try to do it as soon as possible (moving my astro-gear from home is not a feat, but is not easy either).

  Best regards,

  Carlos

• 0
  
  Bill Tschumy April 16, 2018 14:22

  Carlos,

  This is a hard thing for us to troubleshoot.  You are using Celestron's WiFi module and the Celestron WiFi code in SkySafari was written by Celestron.

  As a test, could you download Celestron's free SkyPortal app and see if you have the same problem with that.  It automatically configures the software to talk to the WiFi module so if that works then something is probably not set up correctly in the SkySafari software.

• 0
  
  Carlos Montes April 17, 2018 08:46

  Hi Bill,

  That is one of the first things I tried, despite my disliking on installing/uninstalling applications in my mobile phone and android tablet. It didn't work. Do you think that I should uninstall and install SkySafari as well?. I tried the "Revert Chart to Factory Defaults" at the Files>Save & Restore Settings menu but it didn't work either... Now that I think about it, to be honest, I tried all this a couple months ago, got frustrated, and moved back to using my telescope the old way (via the hand control). Since you so kindly are trying to help me out, I'll give it another go and try it again tonight (I actually miss Skysafari's star hopping like capabilities when used with the telescope).

  Best regards,

  Carlos

• 0
  
  Bill Tschumy April 17, 2018 13:53

  So you did try SkyPortal?  Did it work or not?  If that didn't work then something is probably going on with your scope or the low level Celestron code.  I think there is a way to reset the mount's flash memory.  That is worth a try as well if SkyPortal is not working.  I would ask Celestron about this.

  I wouldn't bother uninstalling/re-installing SkySafari.  That is unlikely to help.  The "Revert to Default Settings" should clear all the state.  I guess you could try it though just in case.

• 0
  
  Carlos Montes April 19, 2018 07:41

  Hi Bill, I solved the issue!. Here it is what I did: with the Celestron skyportal wifi module plugged in an aux socket and with the mount powered, I hit "forget" the "Celestron-xx" wifi link that I had stored in my phone, then I pushed the reset button on the Celestron skyportal wifi module (*), then I linked my phone to the "Celestron-xx" wifi signal, then, when prompted the message "The WiFi network has no Internet connection", I checked the box for "Don't ask again for this network" and tapped "Yes" to confirm that I wanted to stay connected (*), then I opened Skysafari and, after selecting the "Celestron WiFi" at the "Telescope>Setup>Equipment Selection" menu, I hit"Scope>Connect" and, voilà, the phone was linked to the scope :-).

  Best regards,

  Carlos

  (*) After I found out this succesful procedure on my own, while preparing this message I found the explanation on this site:

  http://www.nexstarsite.com/PCControl/WiFiControlProblems.htm

  Aparently, when prompted with the message "The WiFi network has no Internet connection", if you don't check the box for "Don't ask again for this network" and then tap "Yes" to confirm that you want to stay connected, in your phone it will appear as if you are connected to the telescope's WiFi network but actually all communication will be blocked by Android.

• 0
  
  Bill Tschumy April 19, 2018 21:31

  Wow!  Very interesting.  We should get your solution places in our knowledge base.  I had no idea that Android would block communication in that (common) case.  I surprised that Celestron support is not aware of this.

• 0
  
  Carlos Montes April 20, 2018 07:34

  Hi Bill,

  I've also informed Celestron support with my findings. The more people that know about this issue, the easier it will be for other users to solve it. Now, all I need are clear skies (and time enough to enjoy them ;-) ).

  Best regards,

  Carlos