SGL6 - Chat Thread

[malc-c]

Ok - web cam is a no go - wouldn't want to be outcast on my first day because I used up all the bandwidth

I'll look at getting that 3G dongle....

[NickK]

Just a thought... noone else on O2?? (Just checking to see if you lot will be stealing my O2 base station's air bandwidth )

[Photosbykev]

I'll have my iPhone tethered to my laptop via Vodaphone but wifi will be better lol

[malc-c]

Just a thought... noone else on O2?? (Just checking to see if you lot will be stealing my O2 base station's air bandwidth )

Orange, who took over / joined O2, but I think their networks are still independant ??

[RikM]

WiFi would be great. I have my new little netbook for SGL and Facebook updates.

[Adrian Condon]

Hi Folks,

I have just booked and paid for the seven nights. I have also booked the curries and B&Q as well.

Hope to meet up and learn alot about stargazing from you experienced hands.

I have an Outwell tent and I will put a picture of it online over the coming days.

Cheers

Adrian

[G2EWS]

I used a Mi Fi Modem when in the RV. This takes a normal card as used on a dongle but allows all of us to access the internet rather than just one person.

THREE E585 Mi-Fi Pay As You Go Mobile Broadband Modem - 3GB at cheap prices | PC World

Great bit of kit.

Regards

Chris

[Photosbykev]

Justed ordered a Watec 120N+ video camera for a job at work Hopefully it will arrive before SGL6 as it might be cool to throw it on the back of my prime lenses and see what it can see on a 8" video monitor without all the faffing around with processing.

[Adrian Condon]

Hi,

A picture of my Outwell Trout Farm tent.

The photo was taken in the Lake District on 31st May 2010 10.15am at Troutbeck near Keswick.

If you want further details see the Outwell site.

Trout Lake 4 | Outwell

Note: this is a heavy tent that comes in two big bags. Will take up a load of car space. I use a roof box to carry the tent plus other camping gear.

It is a sturdy, well constructed tent. Cooler in Summer than a Nylon tent and meant to be warmer in winter.

I have only used mine in summer, so SGL6 in Spring will a test of how warm it is.

I use a 5-Season sleeping bag, supposed to be survival with clothes on to -32F. Have used the bag in the Lake District in winter with snow and ice around with my winter mountain tent.

I use Thermarest mattress and a canvas bed raised off the ground.

Remember the older you get I found out, the more difficult it is to get up from the ground!!!

See you at SGL6.

Cheers

Adrian

[Moonshane]

I'm slightly gutted as one of my daughters has a solo singing performance (and the other is playing clarinet in the band) at the school cabaret night. she just gave me a lot of notice (for her) and it's 1/4/2011 - aaaaagh!!! I really won't miss that sort of thing (star parties will come again and the stars ain't going nowhere but special events for the kids are all to short an event) so it's just one night (and a day) on Thursday night / Friday am at least for me - but at least it's one.

[NickK]

Will be getting a few things this weekend.. the important thing is: Gas or Electric camping stove?

I'm thinking of Gas to save the draw on power (and would be usable in non-wired sites). However is a nake flame frowned upon?

Will check the tent this weekend too (it's not been used for 7 years.. so I may get a new tent).

One point about the oil-filled radiator is that you can switch it off and it will continue to provide warmth for a period (even with just a single element). This gives you the posibility to use other high power electricals. Mine is a 1 or 2KW. I think the kettle will be more problematic as it's a 3KW jobby.. I may just use my coffee machine instead.

[MikeP]

There will be a tea tent with kettles, tea bags, coffee etc. You may prefer to use that.

Mike

PS Possibly some biscuits and cakes too

[Photosbykev]

Another thread by Billy reminded me that I have a wireless weather station that I could set up for the week. The LCD display could be 'hosted' in the tea tent so we can all get depressed together checking the local forecast and it gives a dew point warning etc.

[Psychobilly]

Sounds like a plan Kev...

[NickK]

There will be a tea tent with kettles, tea bags, coffee etc. You may prefer to use that.

Turns out I work next to one of the largest outdoor & camping centres in the UK "Go camping". The place is massive! Had a look around this afternoon after work - it's not often you have a complete isle for camping stoves, another for chairs etc etc. I have a good idea of what's available now and so I'm set for any camping needs!

I'll still bring the espresso machine and grinder!

[malc-c]

There will be a tea tent with kettles, tea bags, coffee etc. You may prefer to use that.

Mike

So long as I can fill my hot water bottle(s) - I'll be happy

[Adrian Condon]

Hi Nick,

On the question of stove, unleaded petrol ones are the best as they operate in most conditions in my view .

Butane ones don't work at cold temperatures, I tried making a cuppa soup one October day in Scotland and after 30 minutes the water was lukewarm.

I use a Coleman twin ring petrol stove with my big tent which I will be using at SGL6.

I use a small portable petrol stove when camping in the Cairngorms. It never fails to produce a meal.

A good petrol stove will heat a pint of water in 2 to 3 minutes.

Plus it is not advisable to cook in the tent......

See you there.

Cheers

Adrian

[RikM]

I use Trangia 25 and 27, meths burner stoves. Never had a problem with them in any weather. Lucksall has some fire bricks dotted about that you should set the stove on to protect the grass if you use this type of camp cooker.

[NickK]

I still have my camping tranger from my duke of edinburgh, however for a week of camping I'd prefer having something a little more capable.

Adrian, I had a look at the Coleman petrol stove at the place after work.

I decided not to buy anything and have a think over the weekend and then grab what is needed after work during the week.

[Adrian Condon]

Nick,

Smart move not buying on impulse!!!

We have just over two weeks to gather and test out the gear before having to use it in anger.

Incidentally, how much is the camping shop charging for the Coleman twin petrol stove?

I see that you are testing out your tent this week-end. Good Luck!!

Normally, I found that the weather improves ( i.e. stops raining ) when I want to test it out and I use a hose with a strong jet for 10 minutes.

Of course, when I want to dry it out it starts to rain again............

I re-proofed my Quasar Mountain tent (a small 2-man tent) in 2009 before camping out on the Isle of Skye for 9 days, cost about £10 to £12 for the Nikwax sprays, definitely worth it as we had a heavy spell of rain on one of the nights.

Hope to see there on the Tuesday evening.

Cheers

Adrian

[stardad]

Hi Nick,

On the question of stove, unleaded petrol ones are the best as they operate in most conditions in my view .

Butane ones don't work at cold temperatures, I tried making a cuppa soup one October day in Scotland and after 30 minutes the water was lukewarm.

I use a Coleman twin ring petrol stove with my big tent which I will be using at SGL6.

I use a small portable petrol stove when camping in the Cairngorms. It never fails to produce a meal.

A good petrol stove will heat a pint of water in 2 to 3 minutes.

Plus it is not advisable to cook in the tent......

See you there.

Cheers

Adrian

Petrol stoves can be a pain to use against gas. Used both in my time and I would far prefer the gas ones to petrol any day.

I've got a coleman petrol (1980's) version and the regulator clogs up with use. On using a camping gaz version and its far more reliable. I'd stay away from multi ring burners as you have to have the large bottle of gas to carry so more weight.

I do agree with the no cooking in the tent.

[BAZ Senior]

Apparently the petrol for use in cars has a lot of undesirable additives in it, and it's these that clog up the injectors. I was advised to use a fuel called 4T, which is petrol for use in chain saws and such like, it doesn't have the nasties in it, and is a heck of a lot cleaner. It also doesn't degrade, so will burn just as well after months in storage. I get mine from a garden tools specialist in Nottingham, it was about £12 for a five litre container.

If you google 4T it should show any stockist near you.

I have a Coleman twin burner and a single and I like using them, they really chuck out the heat and will boil a kettle a lot quicker than a gas cooker.

I suppose that the idea of vapourising pressurised petrol may not seem like the best thing to do, but they do what it says on the tin, and defo not to be used in a tent.

[MG1]

It's worth checking if your coleman stove can use coleman whitegas fuel (it's a liquid not a gas BTW ) as well as petrol (it should) as this is much cleaner and puts out much less noxious combustion gas. Because it burns cleaner it also means less hassle with your fuel jets and fuel line.

Our Primus stove will work with pretty much anything that burns. Petrol, diesel, meths, aviation fuel, overproof vodka etc...but the coleman stuff burns with less nasties, fast and a whole week (Tue-Sun) at Kielder it did breakfast, lunch and the occassional evening meal on well under half a bottle of fuel.

EDIT: Gas is however much less subject to flaring...if you get a petrol/ coleman fuel type stove read the instructions, practice using it before you go and treat it with respect....also don't use cheap thin pans as it is a very strong burner!

[rowan46]

If anybody needs to service their coleman I found this link useful http://www.campingsurvivalgearreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/stove-dissasembly.pdf

[Psychobilly]

I Had a call out of the blue from Kev 102 42 today ... the newer members wont know him but it looks like we might be up for a few hours on the Saturday

I blame Helen's cakes - theres no keeping him away from them...

I'll have a few freebies for the first few Megrez 72 and ZS80 users as well.. I was tidying up and found a few laser cut masks lying around... I'll check numbers when i get home...

Peter...