RT65CB-SWL

Hi @Razvann and welcome to SGL. I use a pistol grip and monopod or tripod for my 7x50’s and 20x80’s <— 7x50 <— 20x80

Hi @LunarRob and welcome to SGL. I would give it a go. Lunar imaging is not as demanding as planetary or DSO’s, etc. I would recommend you purchase a variable polarising filter. Also a Neodymium filter is another popular and universal filter to have. They are available in 1.25” and 2”. Get use to the ‘scope and learn how it goes together and works, etc., (preferably in daylight), before thinking of what eyepieces and accessories.

This WiFi camera… For unknown reasons, I could not get the damn thing to communicate with an Android phone or tablet.

That was a Police Box. They could be used by the public and police to communicate with the police station and before the police officers on the beat were issued with radio telephony, etc. Let’s not forget the AA [Automobile Association] and RAC [Royal Automobile Club] also had phone boxes.

That is damn good. Plenty of detail to see when the imaged is at maximum resolution.

I forgot to mention this in my earlier reply… DO NOT use a solar-wedge with any catadioptric or Petzval lens telescope.

G’day @Sam0022 and welcome to SGL.

Early morning is good if you want to hear trans-Atlantic HF airband comms too! I have to make do with a random length wire antenna running through the attic/loft and a 'slinky' antenna [with a random length of wire soldered to the ‘slinky’ and phono plug, then connected to my RX with appropriate connectors] from ceiling height in the bed-sit room and the earth connected to the cold water pipe in the airing cupboard. My RX are a Yaesu FRG-7 and a Realistic DX-440.

Hi @titanif / Giovanni and @CERVOBA / Bruce and welcome to SGL.

Assuming you take all the necessary safety precautions: i.e. checking the solar filter before and every use for defects such as scratches, pin-pricks, rips, tears, etc., you should be ok. Bear in mind that all catadioptric 'scopes are sealed short tubes, it may get a little warm. I tend to use a refractor and a solar-wedge and sometimes the wedge gets warm during use. [image below]. Remember to cover or remove the finderscope and/or RDF if fitted too!

Hi @Cemmerts and welcome to SGL. Depending on your budget and what you enjoy observing, no telescope does all. Many SGL’ers, (myself included, have more than one telescope). Let us know what you enjoy and we can recommend a nice package for you.

Agreed! Also, if you have a variable polarising filter, screw one half into the diagonal and the other half into the eyepiece.

Imaging lunar or solar* with a smartphone/tablet is not easy. I find you need a minimum of three or four hands... one: to hold the smartphone/tablet over the e/p. two: to press the shutter button. three: for focusing the OTA. four: keeping the OTA on track of your target if a manual mount is used. Below is a lunar and solar handheld image taken with my iPhone 12 before. I have now bought a Celestron NexYZ via SGL’er @jadcx Link here to the NexYZ... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/celestron-nexyz-3-axis-universal-smartphone-adapter.html * remember to use safety solar film/filter that covers the front of your ‘scope or a solar wedge when solar imaging!

Keep an eye open for TeleVue Radian's too. They were the predecessor of the DeLite series and 58° AFOV. They occasionally come up for sale in classifieds section or UKAB&S.

Sorry to read about your diabetes issue @Mr Spock/Micheal. My partner has type 2... Not funny when you get a PCN either for over-staying your ‘free’ thirty-minutes in a parking lot by thirty-seconds either whilst she was taking her medication before we drove off. I appealed against it and lost the case! I am ‘lefty’ dominant. I use my left eye for viewing and hold a camera. I have tried numerous occasions to use my right eye, but it feels so unnatural to me. I write with my left-hand. Thankfully, I was not forced to write with my right hand at school. I throw a frisbee with my left hand and not to bad with my right one. I can kick a ball with my left foot but lousy with the right one. Anyway... look after yourself and stay safe.

Wow!

That is nice.

Most Catadioptric ‘scopes suffer with ‘mirror-flop’. Usually it is retaining ring that holds the mirror and slides along the baffle tube becomes a little bit loose. Many users use or add a third-party focusser, ie a ‘crayford’. Only downside is it makes the ‘scope back/tail end heavy.

Hi @Dalek26 and welcome to SGL. Silly question but have you unplugged the handset and plugged it back in? or whilst it was powered on/off? It maybe dirty contacts on the connector plug and socket. Maybe worth buying a can of contact cleaner and try that… or acetone. Acetone may damage the plastic if applied directly, so best to apply the acetone to a cotton bud and wipe over the contacts. Out of interest, how old is it? I am thinking that a component or CPU on the handset may have failed! - could be an expensive repair. ETX’s can be de-forked and a dovetail bar attached underneath and get an EQ3/2 mount as a minimum. I used to have my ETX105 mounted on a Vixen GP. I have since sold the mount and now gone alt-az. For all things ETX related, this is a good source of info… http://www.weasner.com/etx/menu.html

Hi @Soupir94/John and welcome to SGL.

Hi @Matt Bennett and welcome to SGL. As others have said, it is an EQ1. What ‘scope are you going to use it with?

The first viewing of Saturn is like a first date… unforgettable!

Silly question, but how do you flash/update the firmware? as I have never done it! I have a spare Phillips Toucam Pro ll and would like to do it.

Hi @Valerio Ricciardi and welcome to SGL. First link says and I quote: “This petition isn't available. Either the URL is incorrect, it violated our Community Guidelines, or the starter removed it.“ Second link works and I have signed it.

Also would recommend the books by SGL'er @Ags - link here... https://discovering-astronomy.eu/