MORNING STAR OBSERVATORY
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        • Alternating Current Sink
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        • MX-949 Adapter
        • Precise Model 111 Tube Tester
        • Precision Model 10-12
        • Supreme Model 385
        • TV-3C/U Tube Tester
      • VTVMs and Multimeters >
        • B&K Model 290 Hi-Low FET Multimeter
        • Hickok 225K VTVM
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        • Micronta 22-220 FET Multimeter
        • Simpson 360-2 Digital FET DMM
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      • Hickok >
        • Hickok 19X RF Generator
        • Hickok 225K VTVM
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        • Simpson 360 DMM
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        • Simpson 480 Genescope
      • Supreme Instruments >
        • Supreme 385 Automatic
        • Supreme 560A Vedolyzer
        • Supreme Model 561 AF/RF Generator
        • Supreme Model 562 Audolyzer
        • - Restoring a Gray 562 Audolyzer
        • - Restoring a Black 562 Audolyzer
        • Supreme Model 576 RF Generator
      • Rider 162 Chanalyst
      • Tektronix 326 O'scope
    • ---------------
    • Geology >
      • Fossils
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    • Star Trek >
      • Star Trek Rock Mood Lamp
      • Star Trek Communicator

Setting up a New Workstation

Picture
My old HP dual-core Athlon observatory computer was just too old and slow so I searched online for an affordable replacement and settled on a refurbished HP Z420 workstation advertised with a 6-core, 12-thread 2.5GHz Xeon processor, 32GB of RAM and a 2TB HDD, for just $300. I was pleasantly surprised when I received a Z420 with an 8-core, 16-thread 2.6GHz Xeon at no extra charge. I only needed to add a 240GB SSD ($30) for the OS and the HP serial port option ($5) to have a "real" serial port for the EQ-8 mount.

Picture
It already has the no-tools case, extra case fans and ducting for improved cooling, a dual-port DVI video card, USB 3.0 ports, and a 600-watt PS. For the OS I installed Linux Mint and added all the Astronomy related programs including K-Stars, Ekos, INDI, INDI-EQMOD, and Star Tools.

​I picked up the dual Dell 23" monitors and stand for cheap at a store that sells estate items, and they are a great match for the workstation. The keyboard came from Saitek and has red backlit keys.

Page created 12/28/2021
​Last update 12/28/2021
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  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Astrophotography
  • Observatories
    • About the ExploraDome
    • About the Lancaster Dome
    • New Observatory
  • Equipment
    • CCD Cameras >
      • Orion Starshoot Pro
    • Mounts >
      • Orion HDX110 (EQ-8)
    • Telescopes >
      • 1956 Questar 3.5
      • Astro-Tech AT6RC
      • Celestron C-11 XLT
      • Zhumell 152mm Refractor
  • Projects
    • Orion SSPRO Camera >
      • Disassembled Views
      • Noise Reduction Mod
      • Temp Controller Mod
    • Zhumell Refractor Mods
  • Non-Astronomy
    • Amateur Radio >
      • Boat Anchor Radios >
        • BC-348N Receiver
        • Collins 51J4 HF Receiver
        • R-392 HF Receiver
      • DIY >
        • Station Boom Microphone
      • Ameco >
        • Ameco AC-1
        • Ameco OCM
        • Ameco PT-2
        • Ameco R5A
      • Heathkit >
        • Heathkit SB-102 Station
      • Knight-Kit >
        • Knight Kit Span Master II
        • Knight Kit T-60 Transmitter
      • Yaesu FT-817 >
        • Yaesu FT-817ND
        • LDG Z-817 Autotuner
        • Windcamp LiPo Battery
    • Antique Radios >
      • Building A Radio Workbench
      • Radio Dial Neon Clock
      • Radios >
        • 1938 Zenith 6-S-254
        • Echophone EC-1
        • Eltz Radione 2
        • Panasonic RF-5000A
        • Silvertone Model 4465
    • Geiger Counters >
      • AN/PDR-27G Radiac Set
      • Lionel CD V-700 Geiger Counter
      • RCA WF-12A Geiger Counter
    • Test Equipment >
      • DIY Test Equipment >
        • DIY Curve Tracer
        • DIY Signature Tracer
      • Military Test Equipment >
        • BC-221-AF Frequency Meter
        • I-177 Tube Tester
        • LM-21 Frequency Meter
        • MX-949 Adapter
        • TS-323/UR Frequency Meter
        • TS-465 C/U Sweep Generator
        • TS-505D/U VTVM
        • TV-3C/U Tube Tester
      • Tube Testers >
        • Alternating Current Sink
        • Drug Store Tester
        • EMC Model 200 Tube Tester
        • Hickok Model 6000A Tube Tester
        • Hickok OZ-1 (550X)
        • I-177 Tube Tester
        • MX-949 Adapter
        • Precise Model 111 Tube Tester
        • Precision Model 10-12
        • Supreme Model 385
        • TV-3C/U Tube Tester
      • VTVMs and Multimeters >
        • B&K Model 290 Hi-Low FET Multimeter
        • Hickok 225K VTVM
        • McMurdo Silver VOMAX 900
        • Micronta 22-220 FET Multimeter
        • Simpson 360-2 Digital FET DMM
        • TS-505D/U VTVM
      • Hickok >
        • Hickok 19X RF Generator
        • Hickok 225K VTVM
        • Hickok 288X RF Generator
        • Hickok OZ-1 (550X)
        • Hickok 6000A Tube Tester
      • Simpson >
        • Simpson 360 DMM
        • Simpson 360-2 DMM
        • Simpson 480 Genescope
      • Supreme Instruments >
        • Supreme 385 Automatic
        • Supreme 560A Vedolyzer
        • Supreme Model 561 AF/RF Generator
        • Supreme Model 562 Audolyzer
        • - Restoring a Gray 562 Audolyzer
        • - Restoring a Black 562 Audolyzer
        • Supreme Model 576 RF Generator
      • Rider 162 Chanalyst
      • Tektronix 326 O'scope
    • ---------------
    • Geology >
      • Fossils
      • Rocks and Minerals
    • Star Trek >
      • Star Trek Rock Mood Lamp
      • Star Trek Communicator