Swoop1

probably 25kg bags in that case.

So we had a cup of tea.........

1 hour ago, JamesF said:

Digging holes is such much easier when you have the right tools for doing it

James

I find it is better to have someone else with the right tools.....

Aaaaaaaand we have a winner!

After a few wak wak oops moments and some fiddling, I have a video file that Autostakkert is working on.

Thanks for the input gents👏

6 hours ago, JamesF said:

I can just hear the neighbours saying "That's a *huge* kennel he's building.  What sort of dog is he getting?!"

James

Why, he's getting and Old English Canis Major Hound of course.

Very nice Alex.

Building and equipping ones own obsy- £several.

Enjoying the fruits of ones labour- Priceless.

Downloaded and processing!

I was using my Sony a6300.

I tried a bit of daylight lunar today, stills and video. The video recorded as MP4.

On trying to upload to Autostakkert! I opened the software, clicked on open and selected my video. Nothing happened.

I mooched around the software a bit and found a button for opening AVI and something else so I converted my MP4 to AVI and tried to upload. I still can't get past stage 1 Open.

What is this idiot doing wrong?

I don't know if anyone has tried this as a roof securing method-

Install ground anchors such as bolt loops in the floor of the obsy, perhaps even concreted in. Install eye bolts in the roof sructure and then get long ratchet straps between the two to tie the roof down to the ground?

Good progress being made. Well done👍

I think another factor in the way things happen in The States is, Americans network far better than us Right Pondians.

In a previous life, i spent a number of years as a cycle patrol police officer- day in, day out astride the saddle of my Smith and Wesson patrol mountain bike. This was proper bike patrol, full on cycle equipped and fast, not the traditional view of Dixon of Dock green in his tunic and police helmet pootling around on his sit up and beg shopping type bike.

Whilst researching effective tactics, I discovered that America had an established cycle patrol ethos, bith police, paremedics and even fire prevention. There were organisations in existance to promote the tactics and train the practitioners. I joined opne of these organisations and in 2007 was invited to their annual conference in Baton Rouge. This was attended by hundreds of police officers and paramedics and was a fantastic event.

We tried to set this up in the UK. After a couple of years it had to fold due to lack of interest.

My point is that in America, people are more receptive to this networking and, networking is how you get to go hands on with bigger and better kit. Going hands on demonstrates the benefits and makes someone more likely to splash out big bucks on that extra couple of inches of apperture.

5 hours ago, cletrac1922 said:

Hi Guys

Just picked up on this thread

Seems to be same in Australia

Down here average house is detached, on a 600 sq meter block, houses around 32 squares, with entertaining areas, pools, off street double car accommodation 

Most houses built last 30 years, also have 4 bedrooms, and average size of bedrooms are 4 metres by 4 meters, and incorporates built in wardrobes

Where I am, we live on a 2000 sq meter block, with frontage 60 meters, and 120 metres in depth

The equivalent of 20 terrace houses in the UK

Even though marginally below Tropic of Capricorn, had light pollution free skies as well

This morning when leaving home for work around 4-30am, had Jupiter on western horizon, Saturn was trailing behind, and quarter moon, all most overhead

Currently Jupiter is visible above eastern horizon, after sunset, and Saturn rises about an hour later

Around midnight, both overhead

I have 10" Dob, as well as ED80 on EQ5 mount, which store inside house without a problem

John

 

  

You can go right off people can't you............

Fab bit of work there. Thanks for sharing!

I wonder if the two lines at right angles are other galaxies behind this showuing through? The lower one looks to have a bright slightly bulging centre, perhaps an edge on spiral?

I don't think it is just home and vehicle size. I suspect the average back garden/ yard in the states is a bit bigger than in the UK so smaller is more practical (though aperture envy is still rife).

Also, isn't eveything bigger in Texas? 😉

5 hours ago, Shelster1973 said:

Probably should have explained the question a wee bit better too.  Am just looking for a way to contain the concrete that comes out of the ground.  From looking this morning (busy day in work) I can simply screw together some pieces of wood to create a box and then hold that in place with some heavy weights on each side until the concrete has cured.  Will then just lift off and give me the look I am after.

I concur. Fabricate a bottomless box the dimensions you want the base to be above the surface and secure in place. I have seen it done with pegs fixed to the outside of the box and driven into the ground to keep it in place. When pouring the concrete, do so so that is level with the top of the box then use a trowel or plasterers float to smooth the surface to give a nice finish. If the base is the same dimensons as the bottom of the pier you are going to mount and you intend to use adhesive/ mortar etc, consider roughing the surface to give a good key for the adhesive.

Don't forget to apply a release agent to the inner surface of the box as failure to do so can cause the concrete to stick to the former.

I work in a cycle shop and apart from a bicycle, everything else I sell is just a 'gadget' to entice the victim customer.

Lots of the accesories make a ride easier or more pleasant BUT, when you get right down to it, all you need for a bike ride is a bike.

The best telescope in the world is just a gadget to improve someones astronomy experience. All you really need to engage in astronomy is a functioning eyeball.

9 hours ago, dyfiastro said:

Yes the roof was locked down the the main structure using 4 large hinged latch bolts (one on each corner).
The roof was ripped from the latches and they was still in their locked positions so how it happened I still do not understand.

That must have been one hell of a blow going on there!

What are your mounts fixed on Charl? Alos, what is yoyr floor- wood, concrete?

I'm asking as your images always have a sharpness that I don't associate with being on a wooden floor.

Yet more fantastic imaging!

Oh to have a permanant set up in an obsy.

And a horizon🤦‍♂️

Did your damaged obsy have shackles or locking bolts to keep the roof in place?

13 hours ago, JamesF said:

And there I was, waiting for the images to load, expecting Boris to be a spider

James

🤣

Every big spider that takes up residence in my house is christened Boris by my wife and I!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and, as my obsy is just a scruffy patch of back garden lawn, to my eye, any obsy building is an absolute gem.

Lovely images there Steve