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Posts Made By: Darrell Fichtl

December 1, 2004 03:41 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Re: Want a good laugh?

Posted By Darrell Fichtl
When I was the data specialist for Pacific NW Bell in Portland Oregon 25 years ago I often was at Bonneville Power Administration in their computer room. This "Room" occupied the whole second floor of this large office building.

That entire floor capacity would now fit easily in my Sony PC.

Darrell

December 3, 2004 03:39 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Lasers for shutting down streetlamps

Posted By Darrell Fichtl
Unless she went to a lot of expense I doubt if she could turn it on and off. That would require:

A. A change to the inside wiring and additional wiring from the lamp to the house; doubtful.
B. Radio controlled also doubtful.
C. Timer controlled; this would have to be changed with the seasons; doubtful.

From any I've seen they are light controlled. See if a red one will work first. The green ones show up like a flare at night obviously pointing to the culprit.

As for confrontation, what the hell. She was inconsiderate enough to put the damn thing up without asking permission from her neighbors; turn the damn thing off when you need too. If anything is ever mentioned just look stupid and shrug your shoulders.

Darrell

December 5, 2004 03:41 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Durability of Coatings

Posted By Darrell Fichtl
Paul:

I think you have to consider where you're buying it. Several years ago I sold a 8" Meade LX200 on Ebay. I had lived at the coast for a couple of years and I didn't realize that the coating had been deteriorated by the salt air.

So, don't buy a used scope from any place that is close to the ocean.

As for the coatings on the commercial scopes they generally do it every two to three years. I've visited the Naval observatory at Flagstaff and work at Mt. Hopkins.

The VERITAS telescope anodizes there mirrors but they are out in the open with no covering and anodizing protects them for some time. It's a simple procedure and takes a very short length of time but I doubt if it's done on the amateur scopes.

The anodization does effect the reflectivity somewhat but the benefits far exceed the minor loss at the high frequency end of the spectrum (above 450)

Darrell

December 6, 2004 03:21 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Meade Model #4495c

Posted By Darrell Fichtl
Hugh:

I've got a Meade catalog that's a couple of years old and no reference to 4495.

Meade does make a cheap telescope that sells at WalMart. Don't know the number but following an old proverb "When in doubt - don't"

Darrell

December 8, 2004 03:20 AM Forum: Takahashi

Are they worth it?

Posted By Darrell Fichtl
Nitin

Getting an answer to that question is in about the same as asking a man if his wife/girlfriend is worth it.

You'll hardly get a objective reply. That goes right in line with, "Is a bigger aperture worth the money."

Keep in mind that in many cases it's a pride thing.

A. My scope is bigger than your scope.
B. My scope costs more than your scope.

Getting objective brand name answers is difficult. Best advice go to a LARGE star party. You'll get a chance to see a lot of "stuff"

The last one I went too was in Flagstaff. I decided to buy a couple Orions ED eyepieces after seeing them there, instead of Panoptics. Needless to say there is a HUGE difference in price. The club has the Panoptics and frankly, for the difference in money, they aren't worth it.

With that said, just watch the post that follow to tell me how FOS I was.

Darrell

December 11, 2004 08:02 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Your Newts and SCTs will be Obsolete!!

Posted By Darrell Fichtl
Nonsense!

Darrell

December 13, 2004 04:50 AM Forum: Eyepieces

Meade 5000 series

Posted By Darrell Fichtl
First we had aperture fever; now we got eyepiece aperture fever! Will it never end?

Darrell

December 13, 2004 05:33 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

First CCD shot: a little depressing.

Posted By Darrell Fichtl
Gianluca:

I agree with Maurice. It just takes time. I've got the DSI also. I've had more sophisticated models and believe me the DSI is EASY to use compared to some others.

Get the focus down pat (and that isn't easy) and you'll be happy with what you have.

Darrell

December 14, 2004 04:20 PM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Sale to Astromart User in Belgium

Posted By Darrell Fichtl
If he's got the money in your PayPal account I don't know how you can be scammed. He can't reverse the process unless PayPal has your permission to do so.

Darrell

December 14, 2004 04:23 PM Forum: Off Topic Discussions

Sale to Astromart User in Belgium

Posted By Darrell Fichtl
Oh, and as far as payment coming from Holland that's like saying your Texas buyer is paying out of an account in New Mexico or Oklahoma.

Darrell

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