Hi from Ft Davis, TX

[EWGreen]

Hi! Been an amature observer for a long time. Built a few smaller telescopes and a while back obtained a Orion SkyQuest XT8 which works ok but not the best. Quite by accident I came across a Coulter 17.5" and matching elliptical (dating back to late 80's) so am now interested in building a suitable structure to house it. I do have some experience with professional size telescopes of various sort having worked for UT McDonald Observatory for 23 years, but scaling that down to something I can build and afford is another thing. Right now I'm thinking of a DOB but would prefer to go equatorial at some point. I want to do some serious optical checkout before I start building just in case I have a poorly built mirror. Any advice of help in that area would be appreciated. There is a wealth of information on this forum so I have lots of searching to do. Thanks!

[Nyctimene]

Welcome to this friendly forum from a German dobsonaut; I 'm an owner of a 13,1 Odyssey since 1987; great DSO views with it under Bortle 4 skies; now outperformed by an 18" Obsession.

Good luck for building that 17,5" scope, and Clear Skies

Stephan

 

[laudropb]

Hello and a warm welcome to the SGL

[Mr Spock]

Hi, welcome to SGL

[Floater]

Welcome from me, too. Hope you have lots of fun and satisfaction with your project.

[Pondus]

Hello there and welcome to SGL .

 

Rune

[Buzzard75]

17.5"...everyone say it with me now...ooooooh, ahhhhhh Very nice! Sounds like a fun project.

[Dave Lloyd]

Hi there, welcome. 

[Ant]

Welcome to SGL, I've been to Fort Davis  (and the TSP and Mcdonald observatory), way back in '89.

Assuming that the skies haven't changed a great deal in the time (you are pretty remote there), you have some exceptional skies.

One day I'll come back.

Ant

[tony210]

Hi and welcome - Tony

[JamesM]

Hi EWGreen and welcome to the forum

Clear skies

[Charon]

Welcome aboard.

[Pete Presland]

Hi welcome to SGL from Pete in Bedfordshire :-) 

[triton1]

Hi there and welcome to SGL 

[PeterCPC]

Hello and welcome.

Peter