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Doc

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Blog Entries posted by Doc

  1. Doc
    EMS Meeting 16.12.2009



    A basic summary of what happened at our EMS Meeting 16.12.2009

    In attendance were:

    Doc
    Glider
    PhilJ
    Rusty Strings
    Red dwalf
    Steve922
    Ibbo
    Brantuk
    BazSenior
    Bryndalf



    *****


    Before the meeting Glider got confirmation from Mr Coaker, regarding the use of the dark site at Sawley, Long Eaton. Mr Coaker will allow us use of the field as long as it's outside the times of the Model Aircraft Clubs flying schedule. We get two keys and must keep off the grass runway and stay within the hard standing which is the car park. The price of the above is £250 to be paid every year on the 1st January, both sides have a one month cancellation policy.
    The meeting started talking about our possible new site and describing the pro's and cons of the site. It then went on to how we are going to fund this £250 a year dark site. At this stage forming a club was mentioned that would give EMS the money required to proceed. A figure of £25 per year was agreed upon which by my calculations we need 10 members to each pay £25 by the 1st January 2010.
    We agreed this will be a very basic club and at this stage will be just myself and Glider running to day to day duties, if we do expand then it might in time have a proper committee but this is a long way down the road.
    We also discussed public liability insurance and affliating ourselves with FAS, Glider and Ibbo will be looking into costs involved and if this is practical in regards to the size of the club



    *****


    We then discussed possible monthly meetings and where to stage these meetings. After a while we decided on Village/Church halls. I do know the rough cost of hiring a hall is about £6.50 per hour, so say we had a 2 1/2 hour meeting that would cost roughly £17. It was suggested that maybe one meeting per month at a regular destination still to be confirmed would be ideal.
    It was then discussed what would happen at these meetings and the general feeling was a place to talk amongst friends, Glider has access to a projector and screen so anyone with photo's from the previous months astrophotography sessions can plug in their laptops and show us. Also help can be given regarding such things as collimation for example. And tea and coffee will be available.
    To pay for the above we either attract more members or just pay a couple of pound each on the night. But to run some costs by you the hall to rent for 12 monthly meetings will cost £250. So once again 10 members paying £25 each covers this.
    So basically if we could attract 20 members paying £25 each we will have a club that has access to a dark site and 12 monthly meetings and no other costs will be needed.



    *****


    We then discussed future meetings such as:

    Kelling Heath 2010 where we have 12 pitches dates are 10-12th Sept 2010
    Astronomy Fest London 5/6th Feb 2010
    SGL5 in Herefordshire 15-118th April 2010



    *****


    The final topic of the night was do we need our own website. Glider had volunteered to design one but the group decided that it was not needed .



    *****


    So the meeting was finished by agreeing that a club was needed to finance the dark site and that I would give the 10 members that turned up on the night two days to consider the above and then would e-mail each member asking if they would like to contribute £25 to secure this site for the club’s use.
    I will also post this basic summary on the EMS forum and see if anyone else would like to become members. Remember if we can attract 20 members then this club will be secure for a whole year.
  2. Doc
    EMS Meeting 16.12.2009

    A basic summary of what happened at our EMS Meeting 16.12.2009
    In attendance were:
    Doc
    Glider
    PhilJ
    Rusty Strings
    Red dwalf
    Steve922
    Ibbo
    Brantuk
    BazSenior
    Bryndalf


    *****

    Before the meeting Glider got confirmation from Mr Coaker, regarding the use of the dark site at Sawley, Long Eaton. Mr Coaker will allow us use of the field as long as it'soutside the times of the Model Aircraft Clubs flying schedule. We get two keys and must keep off the grass runway and stay within the hard standing which is the car park. The price of the above is £250 to be paid every year on the 1st January, both sides have a one month cancellation policy. The meeting started talking about our possible new site and describing the pro's and cons of the site. It then went on to how we are going to fund this £250 a year dark site. At this stage forming a club was mentioned that would give EMS the money required to proceed. A figure of £25 per year was agreed upon which by my calculations we need 10 members to each pay £25 by the 1st January 2010.
    We agreed this will be a very basic club and at this stage will be just myself and Glider running to day to day duties, if we do expand then it might in time have a proper committee but this is a long way down the road.


    *****

    We then discussed possible monthly meetings and where to stage these meetings. After a while we decided on Village/Church halls. I do know the rough cost of hiring a hall is about £6.50 per hour, so say we had a 2 1/2 hour meeting that would cost roughly £17. It was suggested that maybe one meeting per month at a regular destination still to be confirmed would be ideal.
    It was then discussed what would happen at these meetings and the general feeling was a place to talk amongst friends, Glider has access to a projector and screen so anyone with photo's from the previous months astrophotography sessions can plug in their laptops and show us. Also help can be given regarding such things as collimation for example. And tea and coffee will be available.
    To pay for the above we either attract more members or just pay a couple of pound each on the night. But to run some costs by you the hall to rent for 12 monthly meetings will cost £250. So once again 10 members paying £25 each covers this.
    So basically if we could attract 20 members paying £25 each we will have a club that has access to a dark site and 12 monthly meetings and no other costs will be needed.


    *****

    We then discussed future meetings such as:
    Kelling Heath 2010 where we have 12 pitches dates are 10-12th Sept 2010
    SGL5 in Herefordshire 15-118th April 2010


    *****

    The final topic of the night was do we need our own website. Glider had volunteered to design one but the group decided that it was not needed .


    *****

    So the meeting was finished by agreeing that a club was needed to finance the dark site and that I would give the 10 members that turned up on the night two days to consider the above and then would e-mail each member asking if they would like to contribute £25 to secure this site for the club’s use.
    I will also post this basic summary on the EMS forum and see if anyone else would like to become members. Remember if we can attract 20 members then this club will be secure for a whole year.
  3. Doc
    Strange had some sort of power surge go through the house last night....
    It tripped the main fuse but after turning everything back on I found out it had blown 6 bulbs, and fried the living room dimmer switch.
    Fixed everthing today.
    I wonder what caused that!
  4. Doc
    Hip Hip Hoo-Ray for Jensen Button. What a great race for a change.
    The rule changes really worked and I have a feeling this season will be a great one.
    Clear skies tonight so scopes outside cooling.
  5. Doc
    Unfortunately I cannot follow the fantastic night of yesterday as it's cloudy and raining.
    Watched England beat Slovakia 4-0.
    And watched the shuttle land at Kennedy Space Centre. After 5 million miles and 202 orbits it arrived back safe.
    Really enjoyed watching this mission.
  6. Doc
    Best night for ages...
    Bagged another 7 Messier objects.
    Read report here..
    http://stargazerslounge.com/observing-reports/77528-meade-lightbridge-observing-report-27-3-2009-a.html#post1198201
  7. Doc
    Went to IDAS last night with Rob (Red Dwalf) had a great time. Rob bought along his scope. He showed the members around it and we took go's at viewing Saturn. As normal it was pretty cloudy and very cold.
    There was three slideshow presentations where various members showed us there images taken that month. Some cracking efforts and nicely presented on a big screen.
    Overall a good night and look forward to the next one.
  8. Doc
    Bought one of those headlamps today. Looks pretty good has 4 settings including 2 red LED one.
    Very bright.
    Going up to Ilkeston Astronomical Society tomorrow with Rob so hopefully it will be a good night.
  9. Doc
    A very windy night but did manage a little observing see here.
    http://stargazerslounge.com/observing-reports/77342-meade-lightbridge-observing-report-23-3-2009-a.html#post1196138
  10. Doc
    Just spotted the 20.28 ISS fly pass.
    I've seen it a few times before but this time it was really bright.
    Glad I've seen it though as the shuttle was docked with the ISS.
    No luck with stargazing tonight as the house 5 doors down are having a barbeque and have one of those outside security light thats been turned on permanently. Also the sky is a bit lentil soup like.
  11. Doc
    Wanted to see the ISS tonight but no chance. Loads of clouds as normal.
    Bought a DV or Firewire lead today. My DV camcorder now acts as a webcam. All I need now is a nosepiece I think it's a "C" mount I need.
    Tried making sense of Registax. My god it's pretty hard to understand.
    The idea is to take an AVI of the moon and try using registax to get a good frame fromm it.
    We will see.
  12. Doc
    I let my mate in work solder those wires back onto my rotary encoder and I'm glad I did. Apparently it was a PITA. The wires were also broke by the plug, took him 2 hours to do.
    Anyway working now so well chuffed.
    Also put some bicycle handle bar grips onto my Handle bars on my dob. Looks good and makes it alot better to use.
  13. Doc
    23.43 GMT.
    36th Launch of Discovery.
    Space shuttle launch on Nasa TV. My first time watching this live and I must admit I'm enjoying every minute of it.
    I love this stuff. Fingers crossed for a safe blast off.
    AWESOME....
    LOVED IT.
  14. Doc
    My scopes outside cooling. Not a cloud in the sky buy it's pretty windy right now.
    I don't hold out to much for tonight. Not fun observing in a gale.
    Just looking at the scope sitting outside on the patio and boy does it look good. Can't believe I have one of these. A boyhood dream come true.
    Off to make a list of possible targets.
    Typical it's now all cloudy. Arrrghhhh why oh why does this happen.
  15. Doc
    Full moon tonight .....
    At last the supplier for my broken rotary encoder has e-mailed with a schematic drawing of which wires go where.
    I've access to a soldering iron from work so hopefully, and fingers crossed I'll have a go myself.
    I'll let you know what happens.
    Cloudy outside so will be watching Champions league again Man Utd v Inter Milan. 2-0
  16. Doc
    Been really busy at work for the past few days so didn't post yesterday.
    Other then work there was nout to report and I'm sure you don't want to be bored about work.
    Been outside for a bit tonight, almost a full moon. A bit cloudy though so looking through some breaks in the cloud.
    Lunar is fantasic tonight. Didn't bother with the laptop outside so don't know which craters I've looked at but been up and down terminator and it's just so detailed and clear.
    When it is cloudy have bbeen watching snippits of the Liverpool v Real Madrid game. What a game that's been. 4-0
  17. Doc
    What a PITA looked outside at 18.00 lovely and clear, decided to set up my new barn door mount. Put it on it's tripod, polar aligned it. Set up the camera and laptop. Focused on the Dog Star. Started to take a 1 minute exposure and then clouds rolled in.
    It's outside still awaiting a break in the clouds but still as cloudy as ever.
    Oh well until next time.......
  18. Doc
    Stuck up two ceiling lights for my in laws today.
    Went shopping and then relaxed and watched FA Cup Quarter final between Man Utd and Fulham.
    Then spent a few hours on SGL.
    Not a bad day.
    Very cloudy outside so won't be stargazing tonight.
  19. Doc
    Went and saw my son James's play at school. He was Perfect Peter from the TV show Horrid Henry. I was really impressed he has a talent for acting.
    Then went and had a Mcdonalds breakfast with the wife.
    A very relaxing day. Finish work early as well so fingers crossed for a clear night.
  20. Doc
    Refitted handlebar modification to my dob today. Looks mighty impressive.
    All I need now is some handlebar grips and a couple of those plastic blanking caps that fit ito the ends of box sections.
    Then gave the dob a polish and a bit of TLC.
    Just finished work 22.00 and the sky is clear and perfect for stargazing but I have to be up at 06.00 so no stargazing for me tonight:(
  21. Doc
    Finished my barn door project today. Will take photo's later. Looks impressive just need a clear night now hopefully Friday or Saturday.
    Also sprayed my dob handlebars black today. Outside drying as I'm typing.
  22. Doc
    Got my "At Risk" letter today at work and luckily for me I'm not up for redundancy. I know at least 8 work colleagues who are.
    It doesn't mean that they will definetly go it means they will have to apply for a different position. But there will be 40 compulsary positions to go. In total 175 jobs to go but a lot are voluntary.
    Took my handlebars and wheels of my dob today and primed them with undercoat for a nice fresh coat of black paint tomorrow.
    Still no news form the supplier who sold me the rotary encoder so I can get a schematic drawing to fix the pulled out wires. pretty annoying really.
  23. Doc
    Spent the morning writing up my observing log for last night.
    It can be seen here...
    http://stargazerslounge.com/showthread.php?p=1185328#post1185328
    Then dismantalled a old alarm clock so I could use the face on my barn door.
    Off to work later, I'm on the late shift so no stargazing for me tonight.
  24. Doc
    Lovely day today, nice and warm with clear skies.
    Cleaned the house throughout, sort of spring clean. Love a clean house, hate clutter.
    Then took James down park for a game of football before coming home and watching Carling Cup on TV. Man United beat Spurs on Penalties.
    And to cap it off great night, it was clear at last, stayed out till 22.30 and bagged another 4 Messier objects. Will write up my report tomorrow.
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