EQ Platform

[orion]

I don't know where to start this thread considering there is'nt an ATM section so this will have to do.

I'm just wondering if anyone has biult an EQ platform before?

I know there is a wealth of info on the net but has anyone had the expierence of biulding one?

[AstroTasmania]

Sorry to say I have not actually built one, I have used the Johnsonian Mark IV, which works very well. They certainly add to a Dobsonian mount when used for photography or even just observing.

Clear skies...

[Radar]

I don't know where to start this thread considering there is'nt an ATM section so this will have to do.

I'm just wondering if anyone has biult an EQ platform before?

I know there is a wealth of info on the net but has anyone had the expierence of biulding one?

I wouldn't know where to start when it comes to ATM. Though I like the idea of learning it.

In relation to an ATM section, as the site grows, any categories that there is a demand for will be created Orion. :thumbsupmate:

[scorpius]

I don't know where to start this thread considering there is'nt an ATM section so this will have to do.

I'm just wondering if anyone has biult an EQ platform before?

I know there is a wealth of info on the net but has anyone had the expierence of biulding one?
I have and it is not an easy task. There are some photos on my web page. One of the main difficulties is not the actual making of it as long as you follow the formulae implicitly. But the drive mechanism must be ultra smooth and very balanced. e.g. the threaded drive rod if not 100% true will move the platform a fraction of a mm resulting in a blurred image especially with a 10" dob sitting on it. Also on windy nights they can be a bit unstable especially on anything over 8"

I am thinking of building a different version using the principle used on the 3M satellite dishes and a motor driven drive tube. Instead of a sat dish make a mount using ring clamps similar to those used on the EQ6 Positioners certainly much cheaper than 2500 bux !

Click on my Name for my web site info

Hereis a pickie of my sat dish showing the arrangement of the EQ mount used. The declination adjustment cannot be seen, but this configuraion tracks the equator from e to w horizons. The Az is adjusted by the long center bolt to suit your location. This can be made variable for scope mounting. Food for thought. :Chessy_Smile:

[AstroTasmania]

Hello Scorpius

This is great stuff, it is a side of astronomy I love, the levels of inventiveness by many ATM's (Amateur Telescope Makers), a very inclusive term, never fails to amaze me, true brilliance and the satisfaction of knowing you made it yourself.

It is one of the reasons I am building my 15th telescope, a massive EQ fork mounted 16". Easier to just buy it, but for me a lot less fun.

Thank you for sharing and I would like to see a lot more posts like this.

Clear skies...

[Radar]

Hi Scorpius,

Radio Astronomy is an awesome field to get into. Have you got any audio recordings from the sky yet? Would love to hear some stuff up there.

Cheers

Ray

[CanisMajorTom]

What do you mean by audio recordings Radar? Like would can be listened to?

[AstroTasmania]

I have listened to solar outbursts - from the Spaceweather.com web site.

Quite interesting too.

Clear skies...

[Tenacious Del]

Who here has heard about meteors that make a funny sound when they hit the atmosphere, even though it would usually take sound ages to reach you, you can hear the sound before they even hit the ground. It is a complicated process.

I'll google it.

http://www.pibburns.com/catastro/metsound.htm

Any ideas people? :hmm:

[Radar]

Yes, I have read this stuff before. I actually did a search ages ago and there are some websites out there that have recordings of meteors making that strange sound.

Here is the sound of some Leonids -

http://members.tripod.com/~theastronomer/recordingleonids2002.wav

Geminids -

http://members.tripod.com/~theastronomer/geminids.wav

Just click a link to hear more -

http://members.tripod.com/~theastronomer/recordingmeteors.html

[orion]

Guys, ah...back to the EQ platform. Scorpius I like to thank you for the well needed advice.

[scorpius]

Hi Scorpius,

Radio Astronomy is an awesome field to get into. Have you got any audio recordings from the sky yet? Would love to hear some stuff up there.

Cheers

Ray

The dish Ray, is for satellite FTA TV on the C band, can pick up over 200 channels. I have a ham licence VK6DX and have spoken to the now defunct MIR space station.

I haven't really given Radio Astronomy a thought. Somehow I think I may be pushing my luck already with the local council with big 20 ft yagi on a 34ft mast and three dishes dotted around the house.
I haven't looked in on the RA group at ASWA yet. So many things one can do in astronomy. basically I go to Lunatiks and HOW
Coming to the picnic 5pm 27th? Whiteman Park carpark 4A