SLAC/QuarkNet Cosmic Ray Detector FAQ

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1. How do I set up (Windows) HyperTerminal to work with the Logic Board?
2. How do I align and read the protractor on the telescope stand?

How do I set up HyperTerminal to work with the Logic Board?

(added 7 Oct 2003)
If this is the first time you've used HyperTerminal, you will not have any defined "connections" (or configuration files). And, annoyingly, when HyperTerminal first start up, it thinks you want to define a new such connection. Thus, there are two parts to the answer.

First time use. When HyperTerminal starts up and gives you a "Connection Description" dialog box, type in a name of your choice (like "cosmic ray detector") and then click "OK". Next, you will be presented with a "Connect To" dialog box. You may ignore the first three items, then for "Connect using", pop up that menu and select the COM port to which the Logic Board is connected, e.g. "COM1", and click "OK". Finally, a "COM1 Properties" dialog box appears and you must set the five items as follows:

Bits per second: 19200

Data bits: 8

Parity: none

Stop bits: 1

Flow control: None

Then click "OK". Your HyperTerminal window should now be in communication with the Logic Board. You should see the ">" prompt (if not, type "enter" to get it). At this point, I recommend that you go to the File menu and select "save".

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Subsequent use. When HyperTerminal starts up with the "Connection Description" dialog box, click "Cancel", then go to the File menu and select "Open..." (or click the little open folder on the tool bar). An open dialog box will appear containing the names of your defined configuration files. If, as in the example above, you have named this connection "cosmic ray detector", it will appear and you may select it, then click "Open". You should now be in communication with the Logic board.

How do I align and read the protractor on the telescope stand?

(added 10 Oct 2003)
This can be done easily as follows:

1. Set up the telescope on a level floor and make sure the protractor is mounted securely on the front of the telescope stand just behind the wing nut.
2. Using a foot of ordinary sewing thread (or equivalent), make a 1-inch loop in one end and slip that over the wing nut holding the telescope's rotating arm. Now tie a small weight to the dangling end of the thread (a small nut will do). The thread should be dangling in front of the protractor.
3. Orient the telescope horizontally by using a ruler to measure the distance from the floor to the bottom of the plywood scintillator/photomultiplier support. When both measurements are equal, you have achieved an accurate horizontal orientation.
4. Rotate the protractor until the string passes along the 90-degree mark. Voila! You have now calibrated the protractor position and you have a method for accurately reading the angle of the telescope.

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