Meetings are every other month during moderate and warmer observing times of the year, and every month during the 1st quarter of the year (where more time is usually spent building something).
The January 25, 2012 Meetingsubmitted by Tom Richards, SIG CoordinatorAgain, for those who missed it, we saw some very interesting
craftsmanship on display at this past DIY-ATM meeting. Here is a run down from my notes and
impressions: -
Carl Turek gave an excellent presentation of the modifications he made
to his
12 inch Meade LightBridge dobsonian, in particular the addition of an AZ
axis setting ring (mounted on the base plat) and a slow-motion
hand-control for the Alt axis. This involved some amazing metal-work
and ingenuity of using parts on hand, and if not, making something into
something else for the part that is needed. Great job. Carl also noted
the use of a magnetic Digital Angle Gauge (Inclinometer), that was
found at Harbor Freight) in conjunction with his Az axis setting circle
and Palm-Pilot program (that is similar on other older "pads" he still
has) to find an object by its Alt/Az coordinates. See the pictures,
below. Carl also pointed out other Meade LightBridge attachment and
collimation
screw issues, and his approach in improvements there, as well as how to
use a barlow with a laser collimator to improve a reflectors final
collimation adjustments. Lots to see and discuss here.
-
Steve Boerner showed his "fix-a-scope" wood mount that is aimed add improving
the Alt/Az mount interface for low-cost refractors or small reflectors
to. The mount is simple to build, with few wood pieces to cut, common
household parts, and clamps or holds the scope by light side "squeeze"
pressure. Again, see the pictures, below.
-
Grant Martin show his automatic red-light for the inside lid of his large
eyepiece box. The red-lights are $14 automotive (12V) led strips (2 in a
package, found at Autozone) and he added a low-cost mercury switch in
t
he battery circuit. A very simple and affective approach to
night-vision lighting needs. He also showed a few low cost (< $2 ?)
LED lights that can be bought a discount and party stores for guarding
one's scope or tripod legs at a public star-party. Great ideas.
-
Tom Richards looking for input on an interesting idea found on CloudyNights, of a DSLR power switch box for remote DC power, either from a DC battery
pack or an AC power brick, that he is giving thought to build along
with a purchase of an AC power brick for his Canon 60D.
All in attendance chatted more on the feasibility of a scope building
workshop for beginners, of which the club is giving consideration in
sponsoring along with the DIY-ATM SIG's support. Please keep thinking
on this. Steve's "fix-a scope" maybe of interest in this regards too. By the way, its the first quarter of the year, so we will meet every month during this quarter now, before it gets a bit warmer, and building stuff slides to second place after observing. The next meeting is on Wednesday, February 29, 2012. The November 25, 2011 Meetingsubmitted by Tom Richards, SIG CoordinatorA BIG thanks to those who presented: - Grant
Martin and Eddie Agha on home made Power
Packs. The "have power will travel" guys.
- Grant gave a very interesting presentation on construction and
tips, including a very interesting idea of charging his 12v battery
during the daytime with a solar cell mounted to his GEM that the battery
is powering. You got to see his video of this and his write-up. Now this is cool!
- Eddie showed of his recently built power-pack as well (see his webpage for photos and BOM).
- Gary Liming and his beauty of a CNC crafted binocular mount. You have to see this on his Binocular Mount webpage.
- Grant on the
visit to the Colter-Menke observatory with Jerry Kelley, Thane Bopp, and Bill Sheehy.
- Input/chat from Jerry Kelly, Doug Kniffen,
and Steve Boerner on various topics was interesting as well.
The September 28, 2011 Meetingsubmitted by Tom Richards, SIG Coordinator
- Jim Roe gave a presentation on the latest release of Google SketchUp (a free 3D CAD-like concept design program). Considering the cost of a purchase 3D entry level CAD package, this is worth looking at before buying anything.
- Thane Bopp on his home-built "single stalk" (traveling) dobs, a 10 inch and 17 inch. Talk about a packaging job. Nice work there Thane! And thank you for putting a few more miles on those dobs (you would be surprised to know how far "have scope can travel", especially on that 10 inch. LOL Thanks for bringing them in Thane.
- Grant Martin gave a review of other single stalk dobs and variants. Lots of ideas out there.
The July 27, 2011, Meeting
submitted by Tom Richards, SIG CoordinatorOur meeting in July of 2011 was very busy with lots of show'n'tell of
re-building, fixing, and use of old Coulter telescopes, including
show'n'tell of a homemade Binocular (parallel) mount. Check out the
write-up and photos (below). A special thanks to all who participated, especially to those who hauled
their big Coulter dobs (during a very hot summer evening - whew) into the back meeting room at the Weldon Springs
Interpretive Center (and no one could top what Wayne Clark brought in -
you have to see the pictures to believe it!) AND to those who gave
presentations on their DIY projects, modifications (to) and rebuilds
(of) their Coulter dobs: - Steve Boerner on his recent DIY binocular (parallelogram) mount that supports his heavy 80mm bino's. Nice work there Steve.
- John Beaury for presentation/demo of his Coulter "Odyssey 8"
(inch), that included an interesting change to the mirror mount for
better adjustments, air flow and fan (built-into the mirror mount),
power/battery inverter, and collapsing leg stand for the rocker box.
- Mark Jones for presentation/demo of his 13 inch traveling
(scope) dob design and a slide show on his (nearly completed and
improved) 17 inch version of the same.
Wayne Clark on his truly homemade MONSTER 17 inch dob (or
shall we say coffin or walk-in closet there Wayne?), with quick
removable mirror box, homemade 3 inch focuser slide/tube and 80mm (?)
finder scope. Amazing work. Thanks for bringing that to the meeting
Wayne.
- Thanks also to Bill Jones for bringing in his recently
acquired, and in great condition, blue-box Coulter Odyssey I (13 inch)
that gave an interesting comparison to my unmodified (thats need
modifying) "red-tube" Odyssey 13 inch.
After the presentations we
had time for a detail look-see and Q&As, and, since the skies, for a
change, followed the forecast of "mostly clear", we continued the fun
at 9 PM by hauling our dobs over to Broemmelsiek Park for a few hours of
some visual observing fun and performance comparison. Don Ficken
showed off his (in good working condition) Odyssey 13 inch there. This combined meeting/event turned out
to be a very informative and beneficial experience. I know I certainly
enjoyed it. Thanks
again for all the Coulter owners for joining the DIY-ATM meeting and
sharing your work; you are certainly welcomed to return to the DIY-ATM
group meetings, where building/modifying/improving scopes and gear is
what we are all about. Don and I both feel that we ought to make the
"Coulter/Dob Round-Up" an annual event for sure.
Our apologizes for missing any photos or links. Please let me know of any and I will amend the reports. Thank you. Tom Richards, SIG Coordinator |
