mountainmadman

Such a good topic! I've just finished the groundworks for mine, and yep, I kept digging. And digging. And digging. Followed by mixing. And mixing. And mixing. 🤣🤣🤣 Top advice 👍

Love the photo of the paint drying! That's made my morning! ? Seriously though, congratulations on an impressive build!

Hi Ross I encountered something similar and went with the DIY option. I put it on my blog a couple of years ago. The first part is just a basic resistor ladder, but scroll down a bit to the part where I made one for the secondary. http://www.astromadness.co.uk/p/diy-dew-heater.html?m=1 It's based on 12v, not 9v though. Good luck! Tony

Hi Robin, just wanted to add my thanks to you for the effort you're putting into SharpCap. I'm a first time user of any sort of guiding, so when I come across v2.9, I was really pleased and looking forward to giving it a go. I've only had one clear night to use the software with an Altair 50mm guide scope and GPCAM mono. But I got it working.... mostly. I went through steps 1 and 2 where the Next button becomes available to click to move you onto the next stage once the plate has resolved. However, I have a question on the 3rd step. I got to the point where I was moving the mount and got the accuracy down to a few seconds on each axis, but I couldn't make the Next button become available to progress. I was just wondering if I had reached the end of the process, or, if I needed to do something else? Do you get a definitive Alignment Complete message or such like? I'm very much still in the learning and discovery phase, but it did have me a bit stumped. Thanks once again. It's a fantastic piece of software, Tony

Hi Ketut, thanks for your reply. It just so happens that the time I was trying this guide scope package out for the first time, it was new moon, so I couldn't use that as a focusing target. But it's a very valid point and one that I shall remember. Day time, I don't have anything far enough away in line of site that I can practise on. Nevertheless, another very valid suggestion. I have a question though, why would I want the start to be slightly defocussed in the guide scope image anyway? I have assumed that a sharp focus is best to make it easier for software such as PHP2 to detect the movement of the start in the field of view. I expect I've misunderstood how that would work. Again though, if that is the suggested way of focussing your guide scope and camera, then that's what I will do next time. Thanks once again for your reply, Tony

Thanks for your reply Steve, It sounds like one of those tasks that when you get it sorted, it should be easily repeatable. I keep a little roll of masking tape in the box of tricks, so I'll tear a piece off when I get optimum focus and stick it to the side of the camera to mark it for next time. All the best, Tony

Thanks for your reply Starlight 1. I'll need to go and get the camera and the kit and have a closer look. I don't recall seeing a red filter in the box, so I'll double check that. Unfortunately, there's no sign of anything remotely approaching a clear sky foreseeable for the next week or so. I'll give it a try when weather allows. Thanks once again for your time, Tony

Good evening members of the SGL collective, This is one of those questions that could be put into several different topics, but seeing as it's a beginner question with this particular bit of kit, I though I'd start here... I've recently invested in one of these: https://www.altairastro.com/Altair-GPCAM-50mm-Guide-Scope-Camera-Kit.html to add guiding to my set up. Because of the weather, I've only managed to get it outside once, but that was enough to raise a question. Incase you can't visit the link, it's a Altair 50mm Guide Scope Package with GPCAM Mono. With the package came with a short extender for the camera along with the associated cables for connectivity etc. Actually, the description of the kit contents on the website is spot on. However, what I can't find information on is the process for focusing the kit. On the only time I had this out under the stars, the only way I could achieve any sort of focus is partially pulling out the camera from guide scope. It just seemed like that there wasn't enough back focus on the guide scope by quite some margin. Eventually, I did get some sort of focus, although definitely by luck. It was sufficient to get the SharpCap software working though. So, what I was wondering is if there were any other SGL members who own this guide kit, and, if they have any words of wisdom to impart about its correct setup please? Thanks for your time everyone, Clear Skies, Tony

Over the last month or two, I have been in contact with Neil and Jane at Tring Astronomy centre which culminated in a visit to their showroom a couple of weeks ago. I had been in contact with them regarding two queries. Firstly, upgrading the tripod for my SkyWatcher 150p with the better and much stronger steel tube legs. Following an exchange of emails, I called the shop and placed the order direct with Jane. Two days later the new tripod turned up in perfect condition. The second query started off with me looking for a new Dobsonian telescope. Again, via an exchange of emails, I was helped extensively by Neil. So, before placing the order, I decided to take the 5 hour round trip to visit their showroom. Both Neil and Jane were there to give us a well needed cup of coffee on arrival and a very friendly welcome. It was a pleasure to visit the showroom and be in an environment where all you receive is good, honest advice with no pressure whatsoever. That visit resulted in me placing an order for a SkyWatcher 300p dob and a dual speed focuser. Neither were in stock in the showroom, but I wasn't in any hurry to get the items. Two days later I had a phone call from Jane to inform me that my new scope would be with me on the Thursday. It arrived as promised, no fuss. Also, to inform me that the focuser was out of stock with SkyWatcher and that it will be several weeks before that would be available. Again, not in any particular rush for the focuser, and the fact that I've come to trust these people implicitly, I was happy to be kept informed and wait out the time for it to be delivered. Honesty and trustworthiness - that's all I ask from any retailer or supplier, and it comes in bucket loads from the folks at Tring Astro. I wouldn't have any hesitation in recommending them to anyone. Cheers!