|
Re: The call came today
Ken Sablinsky <ksablin@...>
Ron, I'm curious - when did you put your name on the notification list for
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
the 1200? -Ken
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Wodaski" <ronw@nwlink.com> To: <ap-gto@egroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2000 7:19 PM Subject: [ap-gto] The call came today OK, need to share some news with folks who will understand.
|
|
|
|
Re: The call came today
Ron Wodaski <ronw@...>
I know, I know: you were left speechless. <g>
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Ron
-----Original Message-----
From: mrrockets@home.com [mailto:mrrockets@home.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2000 10:16 PM To: ap-gto@eGroups.com Subject: [ap-gto] Re: The call came today "ron wodaski" <ron-@nwlink.com> wrote: original article:http://www.egroups.com/group/ap-gto/?start=470 OK, need to share some news with folks who will understand.Ron, ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Good friends, school spirit, hair-dos you'd like to forget. Classmates.com has them all. And with 4.4 million alumni already registered, there's a good chance you'll find your friends here: http://click.egroups.com/1/2622/3/_/3615/_/954396966/ -- Talk to your group with your own voice! -- http://www.egroups.com/VoiceChatPage?listName=ap-gto&m=1
|
|
|
|
The call came today
Ron Wodaski <ronw@...>
OK, need to share some news with folks who will understand.
Got email from AP today, my number came up for a 1200 GTO mount. I said yes. Counting the days..... Ron Wodaski
|
|
|
|
Re: Replacement azimuth clamps for 600E series
Ron Wodaski <ronw@...>
For anyone who would like to lay there mount down, there is a good option
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
from the same source. The parts I have outlined on my web site are "normally engaged," in the sense that, if you turn the handle, the screw turns as well. you can lift the handle a quarter of an inch to disengage, and reposition the handle. McMaster-Carr offers another little handle, which just arrived today, that is "normally disengaged." That is, the handle turns freely, but if you press down on the handle, it engages the screw and you can adjust it. This has the nice safety feature that if you bump the handle at any time, you will not change the tension on the screw. The part information is: Part number 6610K33, "Teardrop plastic safety adjustable clamping handle M6 threaded stud, 20mm stud length, 35mm handle" The plastic looks like it would tolerate moisture well. I have not installed this part on my mount (it's packed up for a trip to Arizona right now), but I will give these a try in a week or two and report back. Ron Wodaski
-----Original Message-----
From: Marj [mailto:astrophy@pair.com] Sent: Monday, March 27, 2000 12:54 PM To: ap-gto@egroups.com Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Replacement azimuth clamps for 600E series Ron, You are full of good ideas and your explanations are very clear (looking for a technical writer/customer service job?). The side bolts on the 600E mount are M12x1.75P. An alternate supplier is Reid Tool Supply Co. Phone:1-800-253-0421 (at least as of 1997). We have provided them to several people in northern latitudes since the normal knob would be in the way. I don't know the exact part number. We did consider this type of handle a couple of years ago, but did not add them as a standard item to the mount for several reasons: The stainless handles are very expensive, but less expensive ones would rust. Since few people would realize the benefits, the cost was prohibitive. The mounts are already expensive to produce. The handles would protrude from the side and would be likely to be damaged when people lay their mounts down (and they do), especially the plastic handles. Having said this, it is a great idea for our tips and techniques section of the web site, if we ever have time to work on it. Astro-Physics -----Original Message----- From: Ron Wodaski [mailto:ronw@nwlink.com] Sent: Saturday, March 25, 2000 1:09 PM To: ap-gto@egroups.com; Subject: [ap-gto] Replacement azimuth clamps for 600E series I have taken some pictures of the replacement clamps I installed on my AP 600 base. They work very well, and are really easy to install. You probably don't need detailed instructions, but I posted them anyway. The details are there so folks can see what the result is, and decide if it's worth doing: http://www.multimediamadness.net/wodaski/ap600clamp.htm Links to the McMaster-Carr web site and to the catalog page where these puppies are sold are on the page above. Next project: those big bolts that lock down altitude adjustment. Anyone happen to know the thread on those, to save me a trip to the hardware store to find out? Ron Wodaski ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Good friends, school spirit, hair-dos you'd like to forget. Classmates.com has them all. And with 4.4 million alumni already registered, there's a good chance you'll find your friends here: http://click.egroups.com/1/2622/3/_/3615/_/954011255/ -- Easily schedule meetings and events using the group calendar! -- http://www.egroups.com/cal?listname=ap-gto&m=1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ You have a voice mail message waiting for you at iHello.com: http://click.egroups.com/1/2377/3/_/3615/_/954190313/ -- Easily schedule meetings and events using the group calendar! -- http://www.egroups.com/cal?listname=ap-gto&m=1
|
|
|
|
Time
Chris Spratt
This is probably another "stupid" question. But here goes. Does the
computer time zone for DigitalSky Voice have to be the same as the AP keypad's? I set the keypad to PST (soon to be PDT this weekend) but my laptop runs on UT. Is this a problem? Chris. Spratt
|
|
|
|
600E Counterweight Shaft - Update
paul_schroeder@...
Hi all -
As a follow up to my issue last weekend (the counterweight shaft on my new 600E GTO seemed too wide on one end), I talked with AP on Monday and they immediately sent out a new shaft. The new one arrived today and works fine, confirming that the original shaft was too wide at the non-threaded end. On the new one, the counterweight slips on with no problem. The response from AP was terrific; as usual, they were ready and willing to do whatever it takes. Thanks AP! Now if only the clouds would clear . . . Best regards, Paul Schroeder
|
|
|
|
Re: Replacement azimuth clamps for 600E series
SteppZimmr@...
Thanks again, Ron. Please let us know how the new handles work out when you
have a chance. I am following you modifications with great interest. I have just joined this group. Are there any previous modifications I missed? Peter
|
|
|
|
Egroups Downtime
Derek Wong <dawong@...>
From egroups:
The eGroups site will be off-line from 6pm Friday March 31st until 6am Saturday April 1st Pacific Standard Time for scheduled maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you or subscribers. Please notify your subscribers of this scheduled downtime. During this outage, the eGroups website will be unavailable. Mail will not be delivered during some of the outage. Any mail received during this downtime will be delivered Saturday morning. Derek
|
|
|
|
Re: New member: AP GTO on Parallax mount
Mike Mah
Hi Steve,
It is my impression that the AP GTO on the Parallax implements the same software as with the AP mounts. Keypad controller and control panel should be the same except that the control panel on the 125 is not built into the mount but is in a little pouch which one hangs from one of the bolts on the equatorial head. Joe Nastasi of Parallax says that the same servo motors are used. With the few times I have used the mount, it seems sturdy and solid enough. It tracks fine for visual purposes but I have yet to do drift alignment. One of these days, I'll learn how to use my CCD camera and take some pictures. The gears on the motors are exposed, so I have to be careful that cables don't get caught in them. The clutches are of the knob kind and do not completely lock the axes as they still can be moved by hand, although I suspect that this by design. Mike Mah "steve leikind" <sleikin-@visi.com> wrote: original article:http://www.egroups.com/group/ap-gto/?start=459 Mike:the AP Goto. This is the only company other than AP itself, that uses the
|
|
|
|
Re: Replacement azimuth clamps for 600E series
David A. Silva <dasilva@...>
Hi Ron
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
User suggested improvements - from the current metal motor covers to the lever handles on the tripods. - were the source of many updates to the GM8 and G11 mounts. There is always someone out there who conceives an elegant improvement to a product(g). -David PS: Another thanks and kudos for your own improvements!
On Mon, 27 Mar 2000 13:17:48 -0800, Ron Wodaski wrote:
I can understand the logic behind wanting to put something out the door that
|
|
|
|
Re: New member: AP GTO on Parallax mount
Mike Mah
Hi Charles,
Yes, my problems are likely from sloppy initial setup. On my GTO, the hand controller plugs into the GTO control panel (GTOCP2) which is portable and in its own little pouch and not built into the mount, as I believe it is on the AP mounts. This control panel accepts RS232 input from other programs and I have used Digital SkyVoice with it (at home anyways). Thanks, Mike Mah "charles sinsofsky" <strfir-@attglobal.net> wrote: original article:http://www.egroups.com/group/ap-gto/?start=456 OK, hello,beyound that what is in the hand controller, sometimes it is possibledepending on your code base, I do not know what code would be in a paralex 'boughtthe a/p goto system' e-prom code base, the hand controller first decidesif it is safe to move to an object, the code there will say 'fine' and sendthe mount the ra/dec cords though it is possible that the mount itselfwill refuse. this is a safety feature built into the code base in the mountthe a/p goto system can be used directly from a p.c. if the given computerprogram being used did not check for horizon it could technically inform themount to move the scope into the pier...we placed in additional checks forhorizon to compensate for just that type of case. this code has over timebeen even more refined, so because of this, I am not sure what level of codewould be in your given gto system, as opposed to the latest and greatest onein a given a/p gto mount right now.system. www.digitalskyvoice.comwhich I aboutwill move the AP155. it9:30 pm the Orion Nebula was indicated to be below the horizon when conewas not, and I could goto Betelgeuse. Did I miss something in the can't(or circle on the sky)? Is this then a blind spot that the scope access?
|
|
|
|
Re: 600E Goto
Rich N. <rnapo@...>
Hi all: Congratulations! I'm glad Christine could get away from making a big pot of focuser grease to answer your question. ;-) Rich
|
|
|
|
600E Goto
Chris Spratt
Hi all:
My new 600E GOTO arrived this morning! I then spent the pm reading the instructions and then phoning Christine at AP for an answer to a very stupid question on my part. Don't ask - it was really, really stupid!!!! But she is a very nice lady to talk to. And very understanding. Now for a clear night! I think that a pier will be on the list next. Are they making more any time soon I wonder? Chris. Spratt
|
|
|
|
Re: Replacement azimuth clamps for 600E series
Ron Wodaski <ronw@...>
Thanks for the numbers of the side bolts. For myself, I never lay the mount
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
down, so I'd like to get some knobs on the side that can be tightened by hand. The zinc will corrode a bit, but not in a messy way, and the ones I purchased have steel inserts for the threads, so I don't have to worry about them binding after a few dewy nights. It won't bother me if I have to change them out after a couple of years. I can understand the logic behind wanting to put something out the door that is affordable and supportable; makes sense to me -- you can't possibly make a perfect anything; everyone has different ways of working. It's fun, though to come up with alternate solutions so that different folks can choose what works best for them. After all, even very high-end automobiles are always getting customized; that's part of the fun. <g> I've written a number of books on technical subjects for general audiences, so I guess you could say I have explaining things in my blood. <g> It's just something I love to do. I like to see explanations that work for the broadest possible range of folks. It's challenging to put aside one's own assumptions and write with your audience uppermost in your mind, but that's really the best way to convey technical information. Being objective about your assumptions is also difficult, but necessary. I know that you are looking for someone onsite for your technical writer/customer service job. I am interested in pursuing this, but would have to think about relocation. Ron Wodaski
-----Original Message-----
From: Marj [mailto:astrophy@pair.com] Sent: Monday, March 27, 2000 12:54 PM To: ap-gto@egroups.com Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Replacement azimuth clamps for 600E series Ron, You are full of good ideas and your explanations are very clear (looking for a technical writer/customer service job?). The side bolts on the 600E mount are M12x1.75P. An alternate supplier is Reid Tool Supply Co. Phone:1-800-253-0421 (at least as of 1997). We have provided them to several people in northern latitudes since the normal knob would be in the way. I don't know the exact part number. We did consider this type of handle a couple of years ago, but did not add them as a standard item to the mount for several reasons: The stainless handles are very expensive, but less expensive ones would rust. Since few people would realize the benefits, the cost was prohibitive. The mounts are already expensive to produce. The handles would protrude from the side and would be likely to be damaged when people lay their mounts down (and they do), especially the plastic handles. Having said this, it is a great idea for our tips and techniques section of the web site, if we ever have time to work on it. Astro-Physics -----Original Message----- From: Ron Wodaski [mailto:ronw@nwlink.com] Sent: Saturday, March 25, 2000 1:09 PM To: ap-gto@egroups.com; Subject: [ap-gto] Replacement azimuth clamps for 600E series I have taken some pictures of the replacement clamps I installed on my AP 600 base. They work very well, and are really easy to install. You probably don't need detailed instructions, but I posted them anyway. The details are there so folks can see what the result is, and decide if it's worth doing: http://www.multimediamadness.net/wodaski/ap600clamp.htm Links to the McMaster-Carr web site and to the catalog page where these puppies are sold are on the page above. Next project: those big bolts that lock down altitude adjustment. Anyone happen to know the thread on those, to save me a trip to the hardware store to find out? Ron Wodaski ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Good friends, school spirit, hair-dos you'd like to forget. Classmates.com has them all. And with 4.4 million alumni already registered, there's a good chance you'll find your friends here: http://click.egroups.com/1/2622/3/_/3615/_/954011255/ -- Easily schedule meetings and events using the group calendar! -- http://www.egroups.com/cal?listname=ap-gto&m=1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ You have a voice mail message waiting for you at iHello.com: http://click.egroups.com/1/2377/3/_/3615/_/954190313/ -- Easily schedule meetings and events using the group calendar! -- http://www.egroups.com/cal?listname=ap-gto&m=1
|
|
|
|
Re: Replacement azimuth clamps for 600E series
Marj <astrophy@...>
Ron,
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
You are full of good ideas and your explanations are very clear (looking for a technical writer/customer service job?). The side bolts on the 600E mount are M12x1.75P. An alternate supplier is Reid Tool Supply Co. Phone:1-800-253-0421 (at least as of 1997). We have provided them to several people in northern latitudes since the normal knob would be in the way. I don't know the exact part number. We did consider this type of handle a couple of years ago, but did not add them as a standard item to the mount for several reasons: The stainless handles are very expensive, but less expensive ones would rust. Since few people would realize the benefits, the cost was prohibitive. The mounts are already expensive to produce. The handles would protrude from the side and would be likely to be damaged when people lay their mounts down (and they do), especially the plastic handles. Having said this, it is a great idea for our tips and techniques section of the web site, if we ever have time to work on it. Astro-Physics
-----Original Message-----
From: Ron Wodaski [mailto:ronw@nwlink.com] Sent: Saturday, March 25, 2000 1:09 PM To: ap-gto@egroups.com; Subject: [ap-gto] Replacement azimuth clamps for 600E series I have taken some pictures of the replacement clamps I installed on my AP 600 base. They work very well, and are really easy to install. You probably don't need detailed instructions, but I posted them anyway. The details are there so folks can see what the result is, and decide if it's worth doing: http://www.multimediamadness.net/wodaski/ap600clamp.htm Links to the McMaster-Carr web site and to the catalog page where these puppies are sold are on the page above. Next project: those big bolts that lock down altitude adjustment. Anyone happen to know the thread on those, to save me a trip to the hardware store to find out? Ron Wodaski ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Good friends, school spirit, hair-dos you'd like to forget. Classmates.com has them all. And with 4.4 million alumni already registered, there's a good chance you'll find your friends here: http://click.egroups.com/1/2622/3/_/3615/_/954011255/ -- Easily schedule meetings and events using the group calendar! -- http://www.egroups.com/cal?listname=ap-gto&m=1
|
|
|
|
Re: New member: AP GTO on Parallax mount
Charles Sinsofsky <strfire@...>
OK, hello,
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
to answer your questions regarding the safe zone, and also I will place this into the group area so that others may also use the information if they find it usefull 1) Orion below the horizon, when it really was not.. Well that really depends on how you set up the internal clock and date and your location information. Remember the mount will calculate the altitude of an object based on this information. if an object is relativly close to the horizon, but visualy it is not, if your internal clock and position information is not correct then it may very well indicate it is below the horizon. 2) the safe zone, what it refers to is the number of defrees in a giant circle from the zenith (stright above your head) outword. so a 20 degree safe zone would mean the scope would refuse to slew into any object at altitude 90 - 20 (or nothing greater then 70 degrees up). we designed it this way as not to have a large refractor bump an expensive camera or eyepiece or ccd into the tripod or pier rob or base for that matter. in most cases you will not have to set the safe zone. or rightly explained or refered to as 'exclusion zone' ....ie: the scope will not enter that area. One last note, inside the mount itself is more code, above and beyound that what is in the hand controller, sometimes it is possible depending on your code base, I do not know what code would be in a paralex 'bought the a/p goto system' e-prom code base, the hand controller first decides if it is safe to move to an object, the code there will say 'fine' and send the mount the ra/dec cords though it is possible that the mount itself will refuse. this is a safety feature built into the code base in the mount because not everyone uses the mount with a hand controller. remember the a/p goto system can be used directly from a p.c. if the given computer program being used did not check for horizon it could technically inform the mount to move the scope into the pier...we placed in additional checks for horizon to compensate for just that type of case. this code has over time been even more refined, so because of this, I am not sure what level of code would be in your given gto system, as opposed to the latest and greatest one in a given a/p gto mount right now. But I would not worry about it...really.. - Charles Sinsofsky Author: DigitalSky Voice, and contributor to the A/P mount GTO system. www.digitalskyvoice.com email: strfire@attglobal.net
----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Mah <mikemah@attglobal.net> To: <ap-gto@eGroups.com> Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2000 9:58 AM Subject: [ap-gto] New member: AP GTO on Parallax mount Hello everybody,
|
|
|
|
Re: New member: AP GTO on Parallax mount
howard lazarus <lazhow@...>
Hello again , Mike.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
I use a pier and have never had the scope hit the pier. Set your slew or pier stop number to #3....it will handle problems annd you will be able to go to the zenith. You must be very careful on the setting up on your keypad as you have already learned ...i think you will be set to go and hope you enjoy you new mount. Mine is almost two years old being recieved in Oct 98.
----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Mah <mikemah@attglobal.net> To: <ap-gto@eGroups.com> Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2000 7:42 PM Subject: [ap-gto] Re: New member: AP GTO on Parallax mount Hi Howard,
|
|
|
|
Re: Setup of AP 400gto
Larry Denmark <kldenmark@...>
Hi Marc,
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Congratulations on your new mount. I had a 400 QMD for several years and they are very easy and quick to set up. There are several ways to achieve alignment good enough for observation. The goto feature will make it a snap and the manual comes with fairly good instructions on how to do a two star alignment without using Polaris. You can use a compass, during the day light hours, to get your mount oriented close enough to Polaris for the two star alignment to work quickly. Then pre-adjust the altitude setting on the mount to your latitude using a simple protractor. Then follow the instructions in the manual. With practice, you can be up and running in under ten minutes. ( To get your latitude, see: http://www.geocode.com/eagle.html-ssi ) Larry Denmark ---- E-mail ..... kldenmark@att.net Web site .. http://home.att.net/~kldenmark/
Just a simple question from a novice. I placed my name on the list
|
|
|
|
Setup of AP 400gto
Marc Zukoff <yooody@...>
Hi,
Just a simple question from a novice. I placed my name on the list for a 400 mount thinking it would be way in the future. Well the future came quickly, and the mount is due in the next few months. My question concerns the setup time for the mount including polar alignment. I was looking for a mount for a 4 inch refractor and considered the GP with the skysensor, which does not require polar alignment, but I read of too many mechanical problems with the skysensor. My ideal viewing spot does not have a good view of polaris. I know there are other ways of polar aligning, but they sound very time consuming.Anyone with an estimate of setup times, and how careful alignment is needed for casual observation, no astro-photograghy.
|
|
|
|
Re: Help with safety zone
Rich N. <rnapo@...>
Learn to star hop. ;-)
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Rich
Just received AP900GTO ...
|
|
|