2013 February 27th Meeting

submitted by Carl Turek, with editing by Tom Richards, SIG Coordinator

• He replaced his support wings with some cross bracing to remove the trip hazard the wings presented.
• He also added self locking wheels. These wheels lock when weight is applied to the chair.
• Also added was a red reading light that you can see in the photo.

• Of various methods of construction, mainly the use of carbon resistors vs nichrome wire
• The feasibility of a group of members building heaters together to save some cost.
• What is needed to to replace current dew control system on the C14. The current heater is just a small segment of a heater that applies heat to a localized spot on the OTA. We ran the calcs to determine the amount and gauge of nichrome wire to construct a new heater for the C14.

• This was a follow up to his discussion and demonstration of Arduino controllers at the May 30th 2012 meeting, below.
• These inexpensive controllers can be used to control dew heaters, drive motors, GPS etc., and they are easy to program with a PC and software readily available (for free) on the internet. 

2013 January 23rd Meeting

submitted by Tom Richards, SIG Coordinator (my apologies for not posting reports of the previous 2 meetings, for September and November of 2013 - will try to catch up on that)

Besides the great ideas, creative construction, learning of sources for cool stuff that can be had at great price, saving your wallet, we had a lot of electronic gizmoz's this time around for scopes, focusers and batteries, with a touch of astronomy nostalgia thrown in (read on):

His "souping up" of a $200 department store Celestron Nexstar 102GT Alt/Az scope. Modifications included:

• Replacement of the tripod, with a beefy “retired” surveyor's tripod, that he picked up for free.
• Upgrading the focuser with a ScopeStuff 2 inch dual speed.
• Adding a home-built electric focuser drive from a low-cost servo kit.
• Use a “sorabafan”, that is available in small sheets, as vibration pads. The sheet size is enough for two tripods.
• Home-built tripod bracket for Nexstar Handset.

Now this scope and mount has become his favorite grab'n'go scope that includes a GoTo drive !  Nice work again Carl!

In addition, he figured out how to use those free narrow beam LEDs, that were available in the November's meeting, and wired them to a waist clipped battery pack to create a comfortable hands-free “red-light”. Carl what will you think up next? Just too cool!

Ed White brought in his (and, oh yeah, Amy's) 10 inch dob that has been modified with a low-cost, home-built version of a wireless “sky commander” control, that is a lot cooler. This included a low cost 12V/5V battery power supply for encoders and interface, RC hobby connector adapters, Dave Eks Digital Encoders and bluetooth kit that interfaced to SkySafari running on a (low cost) Nook Color tablet. The Nook was “Androidized” by “rooting” it (you can do this with the older versions) and now its an Android tablet running SkySafari. In addition, Ed found another low-cost bluetooth adapter for the Nook off Amazon.
And way to make/package a low-cost battery charger, with a very low-cost DC power board off Ebay (check with Ed on this, if interested).

Ed and Amy really like the end result of this work by Ed. For dob owners interested in making something like a Sky Commander, this is really worth checking out. Well done Ed!

Grant also showed off his knack for making very interesting technical tools, that all could benefit from. This time he cooked up a way to test batteries under load for current and voltage characterization, at the same time, with the use of two low-cost Harbor Freight multimeters (just in case there is a problem). Thats the engineer there.  He even showed a time-lapse video of a real test of data collection and plotting. Really interesting. Watch Grant's personal page for more (upcoming) details.

And now that Steve has himself a big (Skywatcher) dob that is a GoTo scope, he has been working on a low cost adaptation for video astrophotography in both piggyback and thru focuser adaptations. Steve is an avid fan of video imaging, and for personal study and public star party support, working this interface out was just simply the right thing to do. So for piggyback wide-field imaging, Steve has prototyped up an interface to a Canon lens and a bracket to carry and attach both to his collapsible dob. In addition, he has also adapted the camera to a flip-mirror/diagonal for high magnification use, and with his type of dob he was able to easily over-come the common camera focus depth issue by simply adjusting the position of his scopes diagonal/focuser ring. Steve you did it again. Way to go! See Steve's personal page on video imaging and for more (upcoming) information and photos.

Finally, and while not really related to DIY projects, Jim Curry gave us something to think about with showing off his recent (great find/buy) of a 2009 Great Sky Atlas chart book by Piotr Bych, which just went out of print. For most of us, this was a nostalgic trip, since the age attending this meeting all started the study of heavens with charts (not with computers). So, we were blown away with the number of 17x24 maps (296 of them), their detail and the fine print showing stars up to mag 12 and more galaxies and DSO's than one would want to count, all on the shiny black-on-white double side pages. Of course, most immediately were scratching our heads how to red-light adapt such a collection of charts, but with being on fine glossy paper that is double-sided, we all had to sigh, and accept reality, this this chart is definitely not for night vision, but as a great desk reference for daytime study, that is for sure. See this link ( http://www.greatskyatlas.com/ ) for more information. Congrats Jim on finding one of these gems!

Finally, just a footnote here: we are meeting every 4th Wednesday of the Month now.  So, for those creative home builders, keep those ideas and projects coming!  Thanks to all that participate.

2012 July 25th Meeting

submitted by Tom Richards, SIG Coordinator

Lots more great ideas and home-built craftsmanship was shown again at this past DIY-ATM meeting:

• A home made circular setting ring fitted to an Azimuth axis (pipe) with a thin wire pointer that was held to the pipe with a magnetic.  The setting ring disc was just made from a circle cut from 3/32 plastic sheet.  The incremental “ring” was developed on a PC, printed onto paper, cut to match the disk, laminated by an office supply store, and glued to the plastic disc with spray adhesive.
• Again, using his magnetic angle meter on the refractor, as he had shown previously on his Meade Light-Bridge, Carl could now find objects by use of Alt/Az values from catalog data and calculations.
• In addition, he showed an adaption that he added to the design by changing out the vertical Alt pipe to a longer pipe and with a binocular mount adapter, he could also use the same Alt/Az mount and tripod as a binocular mount as well.

Also, Carl showed a mini version of a “Cats Perch” chair design.  Carl had recently built and shown a larger typical type chair, but to reduce both weight and mass, he decided to try again with something a bit smaller.  The result was an interesting smaller, simple, yet sturdy design, utilizing heavy-duty book shelf wall strips (2 of them) for holding the seat, that had the shelf clip hooks attached to its underside.  Besides providing an acceptable minimum and secure seat, the bookshelf strips offered suitable vertical adjustment as well.  Another example of using what you got laying around.

Grant Martin gave a slide presentation of his own desiccant packaging for protection of his scopes, eyepieces, and camera from mildew for several years now.  From self testing and analysis he has found that Silica gel (beads) are the best for this purpose, which can be purchased in packets, but Grant has found it to be more affordable if they are purchased in 5 lb bulk amounts (for about $20 to $25, depending upon the type: plain, or blue (that indicates saturation), or mixed), from various sources online and craft stores.  Bulk amounts then allow the user to develop custom type packets for greater moisture absorption for astronomy gear, such as in a bag shape for cylindrical placement in a focuser of a refractor, or large flat packs for an eyepiece case.  Packets can be made from weave material such as fine screening to weave cloth, that is not affected by moisture, with any common sense means to seal the packet.  When saturated, the beads can be dried out or “regenerated”, for re-use, by oven baking at 250 for 3 hrs. in an aluminum pie-pan, and when cooked, Grant also recommended to immediately store the beads in a canning jars to keep the beads from immediate absorption (the cooling effect also creates a pressure variance and helps to seal the jar.  Grant also noted when using bags for a refractor, they should be placed within the focuser end of the scope, and the focuser cap be modified with a breathing hole to allow any change in temperature to create a change in air pressure and thus air flow into the scope and around or pass the beads.  Very interesting and helpful “tool” in protecting your gear.

Bill Sheehy showed his version of a Starmaster Dobsonian chair, that he built using wood pieces from other home projects in the past.  Craftsmanship looked very good, and included an attachable foot reset.  In addition, Bill explained that because he built the chair a bit deeper, and thus wider, than the design was a bit wiggly, but that this was solved by adding a “flying buttress” piece of wood to each outward leg, that included an adjustable foot, for improved ground contact and stability.

Steve Boerner looked for input on:

• Removal of existing eyepieces from a donated Binoviewer.  Apparently, the eyepieces are firmly threaded into the viewer, and removal was a concern.  Different eyepieces are needed to better suit use of the Binoviewer with the club's SCT 14.
• Modification to his low-cost Apogee refractor to accommodate a 2 inch focuser, diagonal, and eyepieces, for improving both visual and video use of his refractor.

Several suggestions were made for items.

Marv Stewart also sought input on an Aluminum horizontal sundial (or garden sundial) , that was started several years ago and in need of completion.  The design is based upon those found in a book by Albert Waugh.  Marv was seeking referrals for help in completing the etching, cutting, and welding or attaching an aluminum gnomon that was made by his father.  Several referrals to metal working services and other members who could help was given, including contact to the St. Louis Sundial Society, of which learning about this organization was news to many.

John Beaury also brought in:

• An equatorial bow sundial to show and to seek thought on the purpose of additional scales within the sundial, and for suggestions as to who the manufacturer (no name or label could be found on the sundial). Construction was an unusual yellow anodized aluminum, something found in the air craft industry.
• His homemade sun filter and frame that was constructed in the early Spring using Baader film mounted in a square frame box, that included knobs and fittings for secure attachment to a his scopes.  The frame also included a gap for airflow and tube cooling ventilation.  Very nice work.

In addition,

• Bill Jones looked for input for repair to his Coulter (blue) dob Alt bearings, that have an Aluminum strips around the compass bearing surfaces.  Apparently, the (teflon?) bearing tabs have worn to the point of having uneven surfaces and there has been scarring of one of the Aluminum strips, resulting in stiffness and a (not good) “squeaky” sound.  Several methods of repair were suggested from fine sanding to replacement of the pads.
• And Tom Richards briefly presented:
• Pricing and parts information recently received from the Table Mountain Star Party organizers.  This was more food for thought on the idea of ASEM and the DIY-ATM SIG sponsoring a telescope making class.
• A recent find on the internet of a low-cost ultra-light Dobsonian design, by Alan Scott of the TASS astronomy club in Albuquerque, NM., for those thinking (like Tom) with the thought of making a Dobsonian scope or converting their old heavy Coulters to something a bit lighter.  This ultralight design appeared to be very straight forward and, other the mirrors, and focuser, was made from basic hardware store materials, including the mirror cell, resulting in a substantial savings in cost.  The website was informative with good descriptions, photographs, and calculations tools and design and construction comments.
  

Once again, a great thanks is owed to all who attended and shared their project ideas and end results.  This meeting sure demonstrated that this Special Interest Group is a venue where one can give and receive valuable DIY and ATM ideas, material, and reference information.  If you are interested in attending the next meeting, it will be held on September 26, at 7PM in the ASEM club meeting room, at the Weldon Interpretive Center.

2012 May 30th Meeting

• Grant Martin reporting on:
• The mirror coating services by Nova Systems, both in testing (included in the service), quality and cost.  Definitely a service provider to make note of.
• The use of Radio Shack's Arduino controller board kit with power management applications he needed for battery charging and red-lighting control:
• With the Arduino, he now can both monitor and control charging and load on the battery.
• For lighting control, he was able to achieve increased dimming control over a POT he had used previously.  And, with the interface of an motion sensor, he could also have the added feature of automated control of the light (OFF if he is not near the chart table and ON when he arrives at the chart table).
• Programming was very easy, software is free, and there is a ton of resources on the internet to assist in development and for additional parts.

• John Duchek:
• A presentation on his filter measurement service, through the use of a spectral meter, and recent findings he made when comparing filters from Lumicon vs Baader UHC and OIII.  The Baader UHC was noted not to be as good as the Lumicons, but the Baader OIII was indeed better.  John has really been doing some interesting test and analysis with light and color filters.  See examples in his web page section on the use of color filters for moon studies/images and test results on other filters.
  
• Showed the modifications he has made to his home-made 6 inch reflector to improve Astro-Photography imaging results.  In particular, to deal with thermal stabilization of both tube and mirror, and improved focusing:
• He replaced most of the sonotube with aluminum bracing/spars, to open the scope up.
• Suspended a battery operated fan behind the mirror with elastic straps, , in lieu of physical mounting of the fan, to eliminate vibrations from the fan and motor for continuous use during imaging sessions.
• Added a $75 Orion Accu-Focus motor with remote control pad, to his existing focuser, to gain fine, vibration free, control during focus adjustments.

• Bill Sheehy discussed and asked for input with the design challenges he has in making a modification to the base box of his Starmaster dob for relocation of the Azimuth drive control clutch handle.  Lots of good suggestions were made.
• Carl Turek showed off his home-made short binocular mount, and re-use and interface to an old “handy-me-down-and-around” tripod.
• Steve showed a Cullman folding (flat) tripod that he found on E-Bay.  Made to travel at a very affordable price.

2012 March 28th Meeting

• Steve's Boerner and his inventive solar filter and a DUCT tape solution to mounting for the upcoming 2012 Solar viewing events.
• Marv Stewart's great work on his new CATS perch chair. Nice Marv.
• Carl Turek's cost saving tips on using Bobs Knobs for Collimating Screws on his Celestron SCT.
  
• Gary Liming's and his cool home-built CNC machine, that is covered on his website page here.  Gary has used this fantastic tool to fabricate and engrave, such as his Oerry, shown in the February meeting, below, and the putting the club logo on wood, on the Members Link page.
• Chuck Simms and myself with a presentation of improvement needs and plan for the Sheds and Scopes at Broemmelsiek Park.

2012 February 28th Meeting

• Steve Boerner discussed and showed the changes he made to his Berry Mount that could be used to re-mount department refractor telescopes. An idea that the club could use for a public workshop, if interest was found to support it. Steve also showed his home-built "Downward Looking" binocular mount, that uses a "first surface" mirror.  Pretty handy for observing those over-the-head objects with binoculars.
  
• Carl Turek displayed his wood crafted "cats perch" chair (that is his version of a design he found off Stellafane) and a home-built back-lit wood chart box, that used an array of LEDs behind a red piece of acrylic that provided sufficient back lighting to a 8 1/2 x 11 paper copy of a star chart. Carl noted that the red acrylic s available in scrap sizes at ACI Plastics, downtown St. Louis.
• Gary Liming showed his wood crafted "Orrery", his approach to the historical versions of orrery's and a slide show as to the fabrication and assembly. The benefit of a home-built CNC machine really is demonstrated with this creation. Again, see his Oerry website section for details and photos.
• Marv Stewart showed his version of a Az-Setting Ring modification to his 8 inch Meade LightBridge, that was made after seeing Carl Turek's design in a previous meeting. We do get inspired and motivate from seeing other's projects.
• Eddie showed off a simple solar finder: mounting a short rod to a flat base plate that could be mounted to a scope or camera base, and offering a safe way to follow the sun by following the rod's shadow.

2012 January 25th Meeting

• 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.