On Fri, Oct 25, 2024 at 02:05 PM, Brian Maynard wrote:
I know the stated capacity of the g11t (75lbs imaging 90lbs visual) but having this mount for a few months I think that's overrated.
I think a 16" SCT (67lbs) for planet imaging is definitely pushing it. I'm looking for some feedback from anyone who has their g11t loaded, over 70lbs.?
?
Do you already own the M16" SCT?? ?If not the classic planetary SCT for portable use is a C11 or with a second person to help load it a C14.? At some point the return in resolution vs weight vs cost tips and it seems like a C14 is just past that point.? Some of the best planetary images captured here on Earth were with C11 and C14 SCTs.? If this is a dedicated planetary imaging OTA the wider FOV corrected optics of an EdgeHD or Meade ACF are a waste of money as only the optical sweet spot is used for planetary imaging.? You could use this money to chase the best weather conditions at the highest altitude to get the best? planetary images that no amount of additional aperture can capture.? ??
?
?
--
Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?
?
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The payload weight rating and inertial moment are only two of many considerations. In this case, with a focal length a bit over 4 meters and very narrow FOV, mounting method and flexure are two more considerations that immediatly come to mind.??
The 16" Meade SCT comes on a massive dual arm fork mount. I have to start with asking why not use this as it comes??
The second question is what's your intended use??
The third question is what else are you mounting/using with it??
?
The simplistic way the question is asked does not reflect the complexity of the answer.?
?
The simplistic way to answer your question is,? yes,? the G11T can handle it.? The mount is not "overrated" as is typical for mounts made in China. If anything it's underrated.
?
How "good" your results will be is entirely a different question. That answer depends on both technical issues and skills of the user.?
?
Since neither specific technical questions or issues were asked or raised, the circumstances in which the opinion proffered are unknown and the skills of the OP are also not known,? little can be said regarding obtaining or improving the OPs results other than obtaining optimum results from a 16" SCT with a 4 meter FL is an immense challenge in all circumstances.
?
Perhaps if the OP is willing to start over with specific issues or questions with the intent in solving their current challenges the responses would be more useful.?
?
The level of expertise by those that participate in this group is truely humbling.
?
?
?
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Re: ASIair connection via USB to G11 w Gemini2
I connect the mount to the ASIAir via the USB-B port in the bottom right of the Gemini panel. I connect the USB-A side of the cable to one of the USB-A v2 ports (black ports) on the ASIAir. I usually boot the mount before booting the ASIAir. I position the mount to the home position prior to booting the Gemini. One "issue" I have always had is that when I command the mount to go to home with the ASIAir it never completes. It does go to home, but I have to cancel the command in the ASIAir after it has reached home. Occasionally if there are issues with the ASIAir and the mount communicating, I will manually position the mount to the home position (DEC and RA levels between the lines) and then do a Cold Restart on the hand controller. That seems to correct most issues. The mount is still new to me, so I am sure there are better ways of doing things that I am not aware of yet.
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Re: ASIair connection via USB to G11 w Gemini2
Although I don't possess this unit, I would inspect the ports on the Gemini by employing a PC with the Gemini Telescope Service installed.? I'd ensure a connection to the Gemini-2 and using both USB and Ethernet.? I'd verify the software version and confirm it is current production for the hardware (likely L5.2 I think).? I could also seek input regarding any issues or instructions related to these Gemini-2 tasks.? Knowing that the Gemini responds to USB/Ethernet commands significantly narrows down the uncertainties connecting.
?
Then I'd look at reconnecting ASIAIR.? Either kind of connection works equally, but USB is far easier to troubleshoot.? I'd be sure to use the same cables used to test with Gemini Telescope.? And I really don't recall too many questions on connecting with USB to a working Gemin-2 using USB.? I'd make darn sure the USB does not function on Gemini-2 before further exploring Ethernet, even if that were the goal.
?
?
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ASIair connection via USB to G11 w Gemini2
Hi ASIair users....
This is a reposte in hopes of getting responses related to USB connection. I am helping a friend set up his recently purchased ASIAir Plus and G11G w Gemini2 (which I sold him). He says the ASIair will not recognize the mount via USB. I don't know which cable he is using, and will see him this week.?
So I ask: Is there a proper sequence to startup and get connected and ready to do a Go To. Assume the mount has been levelled and is polar aligned. I always liked Cold Start w CWD:
--- Everything powered off:
--- ASIair physically connected via printer cable to Gemini2 control box.
--- Mount is in CWD position.?
--- ASIair App (on Galaxy S9 turned off)
?
If the ASIair will not recognize the USB connection to the mount, then what should I try? Change the power up order?
?
When I had the mount, I used Serial to USB with FTDI, and it connected to my laptop nicely. I think there was a FTDI driver. Is this a back up option to try, and still using ASIair (not a PC)?
?
Any other option, ie LAN? Many thanks for your advice!
Roger
This is the control box:
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Re: An update on meridian flips with N.I.N.A
Hi Neil,?
?
Southern/Northern hemispheres are indeed different, and the calculation for side of pier is different based on this setting in the ASCOM driver. What I find strange is that when you turn off Gemini reporting of side of pier in the driver, you still get the wrong result. In that case, I assume NINA is doing the checking and not using ASCOM driver calculation.
?
Regards,
?
? ?-Paul
?
On Mon, Oct 28, 2024 at 12:53 AM, Neil Allison wrote:
Hi Paul
?
Report PierSide was set to False.
I have now set it to True, reconnected to the mount and tried my tests again.
The N.I.N.A logs are still showing SOP=pierEast even though the scope is on the West.
?
You say North/South hemisphere wouldn't?have anything to do with the issue, but if the mount were pointing to the north, then the scope would indeed be pierside East.
So my thinking is that it believes it is in the northern hemisphere.
?
I have already tried switching off Gemini reporting the side of the pier and it made no difference.?
?
--
Thanks and Best Regards
Neil
On Sun, Oct 27, 2024 at 10:04?PM Paul Buckley via <paulbuckley14059= [email protected]> wrote:
Neil,
?
I may be mistaken, but I believe that Gemini.net IS the ASCOM-based telescope driver. If you haven't already done so you might want to download the ASCOM platform (see? and look to the upper right for the Platform 7.0 Download button). It should provide you with?the previously-mentioned Explorer tool that gives you access to every communications parameter sent between the mount and the computer.? I bring this up because I had a similar issue where the PHD2 log showed that I was always East of pier even though N.I.N.A was clearly generating meridian flips.? It turned out to be that ReportPierSide was set to false in the Gemini.net driver, even though?I was quite sure that I had previously set Gemini to report it.? I wrote this off to a bad EEPROM configuration on the mount although admittedly, I never found the root cause of the issue and kept exploring until the problem was resolved.? I lost of few nights of observing because of it.
?
BTW I don't think North/South hemispheres would have anything?to do with this issue.
?
Best Regards,
?
Paul
?
On Sat, Oct 26, 2024 at 10:53?PM Neil Allison via <nallison147= [email protected]> wrote:
I'm connecting using the Gemini.NET driver.
The mount is already reporting the pier side, but it is reporting that its in the east when it is actually in the west.
Now if i was in the northern hemisphere, that would be correct (i think).
?
Do you think I might be better off using the ASCOM driver instead?
On Sun, 27 Oct 2024, 1:03?pm Paul Buckley via , <paulbuckley14059= [email protected]> wrote:
Neil,
?
Are you connecting using the ASCOM driver?? If so, open the Profile Explorer, go to Telescope Drivers, ASCOM.GeminiTelescope.Telescope, and confirm that the ReportPierSide value is set to True, as shown in this screenshot:
?
?
Best Regards,
?
Paul
On Sat, Oct 26, 2024 at 4:01?AM Neil Allison via <nallison147= [email protected]> wrote:
So, I've been doing more testing.
I have N.I.N.A set to use telescope side of pier.
I have Gemini set to Report the pier side
I am imaging an object in the east (so the scope is Pier side west).
?
However, In my N.I.N.A logs, I see "True Telescope SOP=pierEast" when the scope is clearly pier side West.
Given I'm in the southern hemisphere, are there some settings I need to update in Gemini?
I use a GPS receiver to get the coordinates (which Gemini connects to) so it definitely knows where in the world it is.
?
--
Thanks and Best Regards
Neil
?
?
?
?
?
?
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Hi Chip Louie,
Your reply is very useful, especially where you have all the router performance results.?
I do need to answer in a different direction because of my situation.
The purchaser is pretty new to astrophotography and scopes, etc. His depth is not such that he will learn how to connect via a router, and he will have little understanding of additional things to do inside Gemini2. You can say he is the perfect ASIair candidate... plug and play. Of course I do not have the Losmandy mount any more, and just want him to get started, ie functioning connection.
So thank you very much.?
I am going to repost my above original message as a new topic to see if I can get a clear answer about USB.
?
Thanks,
? ?Roger
?
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Re: An update on meridian flips with N.I.N.A
Hi Paul
Report PierSide was set to False. I have now set it to True, reconnected to the mount and tried my tests again. The N.I.N.A logs are still showing SOP=pierEast even though the scope is on the West.
You say North/South hemisphere wouldn't?have anything to do with the issue, but if the mount were pointing to the north, then the scope would indeed be pierside East. So my thinking is that it believes it is in the northern hemisphere.
I have already tried switching off Gemini reporting the side of the pier and it made no difference.?
-- Thanks and Best Regards Neil
On Sun, Oct 27, 2024 at 10:04?PM Paul Buckley via <paulbuckley14059= [email protected]> wrote: Neil,
I may be mistaken, but I believe that Gemini.net IS the ASCOM-based telescope driver. If you haven't already done so you might want to download the ASCOM platform (see? and look to the upper right for the Platform 7.0 Download button). It should provide you with?the previously-mentioned Explorer tool that gives you access to every communications parameter sent between the mount and the computer.? I bring this up because I had a similar issue where the PHD2 log showed that I was always East of pier even though N.I.N.A was clearly generating meridian flips.? It turned out to be that ReportPierSide was set to false in the Gemini.net driver, even though?I was quite sure that I had previously set Gemini to report it.? I wrote this off to a bad EEPROM configuration on the mount although admittedly, I never found the root cause of the issue and kept exploring until the problem was resolved.? I lost of few nights of observing because of it.
BTW I don't think North/South hemispheres would have anything?to do with this issue.
Best Regards,
Paul
On Sat, Oct 26, 2024 at 10:53?PM Neil Allison via <nallison147= [email protected]> wrote: I'm connecting using the Gemini.NET driver. The mount is already reporting the pier side, but it is reporting that its in the east when it is actually in the west. Now if i was in the northern hemisphere, that would be correct (i think).
Do you think I might be better off using the ASCOM driver instead?
On Sun, 27 Oct 2024, 1:03?pm Paul Buckley via , <paulbuckley14059= [email protected]> wrote: Neil,
Are you connecting using the ASCOM driver?? If so, open the Profile Explorer, go to Telescope Drivers, ASCOM.GeminiTelescope.Telescope, and confirm that the ReportPierSide value is set to True, as shown in this screenshot:
Best Regards,
Paul
On Sat, Oct 26, 2024 at 4:01?AM Neil Allison via <nallison147= [email protected]> wrote: So, I've been doing more testing. I have N.I.N.A set to use telescope side of pier. I have Gemini set to Report the pier side I am imaging an object in the east (so the scope is Pier side west).
However, In my N.I.N.A logs, I see "True Telescope SOP=pierEast" when the scope is clearly pier side West. Given I'm in the southern hemisphere, are there some settings I need to update in Gemini? I use a GPS receiver to get the coordinates (which Gemini connects to) so it definitely knows where in the world it is.
-- Thanks and Best Regards Neil
|
?
I know people imaging with a 70+ pound Newtonian payload on a G11G and FHD no problems.? I can't imagine the a 16" SCT would be a bad payload being a lot shorter tube with a much lower polar moment, it should be fine.? I don't think the G11GT has much more payload headroom than the G11G but it should be fine.?
?
--
Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?
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Re: An update on meridian flips with N.I.N.A
Hi Neil, did you try to turn off Gemini Reports Side of Pier and see if that works any better?
?
Regards,
?
? -Paul
?
On Sat, Oct 26, 2024 at 04:01 AM, Neil Allison wrote:
So, I've been doing more testing.
I have N.I.N.A set to use telescope side of pier.
I have Gemini set to Report the pier side
I am imaging an object in the east (so the scope is Pier side west).
?
However, In my N.I.N.A logs, I see "True Telescope SOP=pierEast" when the scope is clearly pier side West.
Given I'm in the southern hemisphere, are there some settings I need to update in Gemini?
I use a GPS receiver to get the coordinates (which Gemini connects to) so it definitely knows where in the world it is.
?
--
Thanks and Best Regards
Neil
|
On Sat, Oct 26, 2024 at 10:11 PM, Roger Smith wrote:
Hi,
Some great and practical advice!
I am helping a friend set up his recentlypurchased ASIAir Plus and G11 w Gemini2 (which I sold him). What is the proper sequence to startup and get connected and ready to do a Go To. Assume the mount has been levelled and is polar aligned. I always liked Cold Start w CWD:
--- Everything powered off:
--- ASIair physically connected via printer cable to Gemini2 control box.
--- Mount is in CWD position.?
--- ASIair App (on Galaxy S9 turned off)
?
If the ASIair will not recognize the USB connection to the mount, then what should I try? Change the power up order?
?
When I had the mount, I used Serial to USB with FTDI, and it connected to my laptop nicely. I think there was a FTDI driver. Is this a back up option to try?
?
Any other option, ie LAN? Many thanks for your advice!
Roger
This is the control box:
?
?
Hi Roger,
?
I have always used the Ethernet ports to talk to the Gemini 2 for imaging and planetarium app use so I just found a way to keep using Ethernet connections when I switched to the ASIAIR years ago pre-COVID.??
?
This is not hard to do but you do need to configure the Gemini 2 and ASIAIR specifically to do this. But it is well worth it as you will be able to use GFU and have network access to the Gemini 2 mSD card file system. There are also a lot of control through the web UI which gives you a acess to everything in the Gemini 2 which you don't even know about without it.?
?
Using the Ethernet port also frees up one USB port on the ASIAIR which on a full house system are always going to be in short supply especially with the new CAA (camera angle adjuster) coming out shortly.? If like most folks your friend will be or is planning to run a full ZWO imaging system with ASIAIR , EAF, EFW, ASI autoguider and ASI cooled imaging camera? ?means there will not be enough ports to plug everything into the ASIAIR if you want to use the CAA and an external USB SSD/Flash drive. Unless of course there is a USB hub built into the new CAA.?
?
So looking forward if you can set your friend's Gemini 2 to use Ethernet for command and control this is a big help and supposedly allows for better mount performance.? This is what the people who wrote the software have said all along anyway. I can't confirm it, as long as I have had a Gemini 2 I have used the G2 Ethernet port for communication.??
?
The way I do it is simple. I use a small high-end travel router and plug the Gemini 2 and ASIAIR into the switch ports of the router.? The best small routers with the newish WiFi6? 803.11AX standard AND at least 2 or 3 Ethernet ports with full 1Gbs Ethernet are the GL.iNet travel routers. I am using the Slate-AX model as it has the best specs and includes a third Ethernet port. It is very a very fast WiFi router if you are near the router, faster than wired Ethernet. If you have a phone that is less than 5 years old you probably have WiFi6 and can take advantage of this much faster WiFi standard.
?
These days I am no longer waiting at all any more for the data to move between the ASIAIR and the phone with this setup, focusing, preview downloads from the ASI2600MC Pro take longer to process on the ASIAIR than to download. But it wasn't always the case, in fact it was SLOW.? But at least the WiFi connection was not failing every 2 minutes.?
?
I have seen the screen responsiveness improve as download speeds increased.? I kept upgrading as newer WiFi technology came out for nano and travel routers and I moved from the router I hung off the Gemini 2 for WiFi access and bridge routing to my home mesh LAN to needing to overcome the terrible ASIAIR WiFi which requires additional 1Gbs Ethernet ports at the mount router.? At the time there was no such thing as a multi port travel router so I used a 4-port mini 1G/100/10 switch to add the required ports. I went from the?
150Mbs 802.11n TP Link nano router>
300Mbs 802.11n TP Link nano router >
433Mbs 802.11ac TP Link travel router >
433Mbs 802.11ac Slate with 3X 1Gbs ports>
867Mbs 802.11ac Beryl with 3X 1Gps ports>
1,200Mbs 802.11ax Slate-AX 3X 1Gbs ports
?
The speed improvement I have seen is very significant. But you really have to have a newer phone with Wi-Fi 6 to take advantage of the technology. You can verify what Wi-Fi your phone has in the settings pages.?
?
Let me know if you need any more advice or screen shots for configuration of the Gemini 2, ASIAIR and Slate-AX router.?
?
?
--
Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?
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Re: An update on meridian flips with N.I.N.A
Neil,
I may be mistaken, but I believe that Gemini.net IS the ASCOM-based telescope driver. If you haven't already done so you might want to download the ASCOM platform (see? and look to the upper right for the Platform 7.0 Download button). It should provide you with?the previously-mentioned Explorer tool that gives you access to every communications parameter sent between the mount and the computer.? I bring this up because I had a similar issue where the PHD2 log showed that I was always East of pier even though N.I.N.A was clearly generating meridian flips.? It turned out to be that ReportPierSide was set to false in the Gemini.net driver, even though?I was quite sure that I had previously set Gemini to report it.? I wrote this off to a bad EEPROM configuration on the mount although admittedly, I never found the root cause of the issue and kept exploring until the problem was resolved.? I lost of few nights of observing because of it.
BTW I don't think North/South hemispheres would have anything?to do with this issue.
Best Regards,
Paul
On Sat, Oct 26, 2024 at 10:53?PM Neil Allison via <nallison147= [email protected]> wrote: I'm connecting using the Gemini.NET driver. The mount is already reporting the pier side, but it is reporting that its in the east when it is actually in the west. Now if i was in the northern hemisphere, that would be correct (i think).
Do you think I might be better off using the ASCOM driver instead?
On Sun, 27 Oct 2024, 1:03?pm Paul Buckley via , <paulbuckley14059= [email protected]> wrote: Neil,
Are you connecting using the ASCOM driver?? If so, open the Profile Explorer, go to Telescope Drivers, ASCOM.GeminiTelescope.Telescope, and confirm that the ReportPierSide value is set to True, as shown in this screenshot:
Best Regards,
Paul
On Sat, Oct 26, 2024 at 4:01?AM Neil Allison via <nallison147= [email protected]> wrote: So, I've been doing more testing. I have N.I.N.A set to use telescope side of pier. I have Gemini set to Report the pier side I am imaging an object in the east (so the scope is Pier side west).
However, In my N.I.N.A logs, I see "True Telescope SOP=pierEast" when the scope is clearly pier side West. Given I'm in the southern hemisphere, are there some settings I need to update in Gemini? I use a GPS receiver to get the coordinates (which Gemini connects to) so it definitely knows where in the world it is.
-- Thanks and Best Regards Neil
|
Hi,
Some great and practical advice!
I am helping a friend set up his recentlypurchased ASIAir Plus and G11 w Gemini2 (which I sold him). What is the proper sequence to startup and get connected and ready to do a Go To. Assume the mount has been levelled and is polar aligned. I always liked Cold Start w CWD:
--- Everything powered off:
--- ASIair physically connected via printer cable to Gemini2 control box.
--- Mount is in CWD position.?
--- ASIair App (on Galaxy S9 turned off)
?
If the ASIair will not recognize the USB connection to the mount, then what should I try? Change the power up order?
?
When I had the mount, I used Serial to USB with FTDI, and it connected to my laptop nicely. I think there was a FTDI driver. Is this a back up option to try?
?
Any other option, ie LAN? Many thanks for your advice!
Roger
This is the control box:
?
|
Re: An update on meridian flips with N.I.N.A
I'm connecting using the Gemini.NET driver. The mount is already reporting the pier side, but it is reporting that its in the east when it is actually in the west. Now if i was in the northern hemisphere, that would be correct (i think).
Do you think I might be better off using the ASCOM driver instead?
On Sun, 27 Oct 2024, 1:03?pm Paul Buckley via , <paulbuckley14059= [email protected]> wrote: Neil,
Are you connecting using the ASCOM driver?? If so, open the Profile Explorer, go to Telescope Drivers, ASCOM.GeminiTelescope.Telescope, and confirm that the ReportPierSide value is set to True, as shown in this screenshot:
Best Regards,
Paul
On Sat, Oct 26, 2024 at 4:01?AM Neil Allison via <nallison147= [email protected]> wrote: So, I've been doing more testing. I have N.I.N.A set to use telescope side of pier. I have Gemini set to Report the pier side I am imaging an object in the east (so the scope is Pier side west).
However, In my N.I.N.A logs, I see "True Telescope SOP=pierEast" when the scope is clearly pier side West. Given I'm in the southern hemisphere, are there some settings I need to update in Gemini? I use a GPS receiver to get the coordinates (which Gemini connects to) so it definitely knows where in the world it is.
-- Thanks and Best Regards Neil
|
Re: An update on meridian flips with N.I.N.A
Neil,
Are you connecting using the ASCOM driver?? If so, open the Profile Explorer, go to Telescope Drivers, ASCOM.GeminiTelescope.Telescope, and confirm that the ReportPierSide value is set to True, as shown in this screenshot:
Best Regards,
Paul
On Sat, Oct 26, 2024 at 4:01?AM Neil Allison via <nallison147= [email protected]> wrote: So, I've been doing more testing. I have N.I.N.A set to use telescope side of pier. I have Gemini set to Report the pier side I am imaging an object in the east (so the scope is Pier side west).
However, In my N.I.N.A logs, I see "True Telescope SOP=pierEast" when the scope is clearly pier side West. Given I'm in the southern hemisphere, are there some settings I need to update in Gemini? I use a GPS receiver to get the coordinates (which Gemini connects to) so it definitely knows where in the world it is.
-- Thanks and Best Regards Neil
|
Gee I don’t have a 16” ….we’re they not the Meade ACF…..that thing is huge. I cannot imagine many mounts could manage it. ?I wouldn’t even think a Titan is in the range maybe one of the HGM200s is something that might manage it.?
?
FWIW
?
--
Brendan
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An update on meridian flips with N.I.N.A
So, I've been doing more testing. I have N.I.N.A set to use telescope side of pier. I have Gemini set to Report the pier side I am imaging an object in the east (so the scope is Pier side west).
However, In my N.I.N.A logs, I see "True Telescope SOP=pierEast" when the scope is clearly pier side West. Given I'm in the southern hemisphere, are there some settings I need to update in Gemini? I use a GPS receiver to get the coordinates (which Gemini connects to) so it definitely knows where in the world it is.
-- Thanks and Best Regards Neil
|
I know the stated capacity of the g11t (75lbs imaging 90lbs visual) but having this mount for a few months I think that's overrated.
I think a 16" SCT (67lbs) for planet imaging is definitely pushing it. I'm looking for some feedback from anyone who has their g11t loaded, over 70lbs.?
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Re: What mount for Celestron 9.25
I too have the G811 for my 9.25 Edge HD, along with a ZWO ASI2600, EAF and? OAG, as well as the surprisingly heavy Celestron reducer.? The G811 handles it all with no issues whatsoever.
Paul
I use a GM811 works great for C9.25 for imaging.  Visual as well.....
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Re: What mount for Celestron 9.25
I use a GM811 works great for C9.25 for imaging.  Visual as well.....
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Chip Louie
Paul Kanevsky