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Posts Made By: Ron Hranac

April 10, 2004 05:02 PM Forum: Takahashi

TOA-130 and Losmandy GM-8

Posted By Ron Hranac
Anyone try using a TOA-130 on a GM-8 mount for VISUAL observing? Losmandy claims the GM-8 is good for 30 pounds. Clearly, astrophotography warrants something a lot heavier duty--the Tak EM-200, Losmandy G11, etc. But what about casual visual use? Thoughts?

Ron

April 18, 2004 07:00 PM Forum: Takahashi

Cap bolt: tube holder to mount?

Posted By Ron Hranac
What size cap bolts are used to fasten a Tak tube holder (e.g., TOA-130) to a Tak mount such as the EM-200? I'm interested in length, diameter & thread size. Thanks! --Ron

April 30, 2004 09:20 PM Forum: Ham and Shortwave Radio

Re: Second Thoughts (long)

Posted By Ron Hranac
Ed, don't give up on ham radio based on a remark from one person on one repeater. My suggestion is to enjoy the hobby! Try a different repeater, or maybe some of the simplex frequencies. Get involved in a local ham club, Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES), SKYWARN, or some of the local VHF/UHF nets. You might try some of the UHF repeaters, or maybe VHF/UHF SSB. There's plenty to do on the amateur bands, and if voice communications sours you, consider some of the digital modes--PSK-31, for instance. 73, Ron Hranac, N0IVN

May 14, 2004 08:48 PM Forum: Takahashi

TOA-130 on Gibraltar

Posted By Ron Hranac
Don't try this at home. This probably would make Al Nagler cringe. Yes, that's a Takahashi TOA-130 on a Tele Vue Gibraltar mount. I designed and had PreciseParts build an adapter to mate the Tak tube holder to the Gibraltar mount. Everything fits together nicely, although the TOA-130 is probably a bit much for the Gibraltar. Its regular mount is the Losmandy G11 in the background. --Ron

May 19, 2004 07:48 AM Forum: Takahashi

Flip mirror for Tak

Posted By Ron Hranac
Any thoughts or recommendations for a flip mirror setup to go between a TOA-130S's focuser and, say, a webcam? --Ron

June 5, 2004 07:51 AM Forum: Takahashi

10:1 microfocuser arrived

Posted By Ron Hranac
The 10:1 microfocuser for my TOA-130 was delivered Friday afternoon. After reviewing the accompanying well-written instructions and the parts themselves--which appear to be VERY high quality--it looks like installation should take no more than a few minutes. One of my weekend "to-do" tasks is to install the microfocuser. Details to follow, along with a picture or two. --Ron

June 26, 2004 04:38 PM Forum: Eyepieces

Collins Electro Optic image-intensified eyepiece

Posted By Ron Hranac
Does anyone have experience with these, in particular, the company's newer thin-film technology? I'm contemplating getting one, but would like to get some feedback from users beforehand (other than comments about the $$). Thanks in advance. --Ron

September 24, 2004 06:03 PM Forum: Refractors

"Apochromat" pronunciation

Posted By Ron Hranac
OK, not a technical question by any means, but I've heard "apochromat" pronounced a couple different ways over the years.

uh pok' ro mat
(short u in uh; short o in pok like rock; long o on ro like row; and mat like a floor mat)

ah' po kro mat
(ah like the a in at; long o in po, rhymes with doe; long o in kro like home; and mat like a floor mat)

Which pronunciation do you hear or use most often? Enquiring minds want to know wink

Ron

November 25, 2004 07:37 PM Forum: TeleVue

Re: question about 60 on a telepod

Posted By Ron Hranac
I have both the Gibraltar and Tele Pod mounts. I use the Tele Pod primarily for travel with a TV85 (the Tele Pod gets checked in my baggage, and the TV85 in its soft carry case is carry-on). Once in a while I use the Tele Pod for a quick setup at the house, but more often use the Gibraltar at home with the TV85 or a Coronado MaxScope60.

December 14, 2004 03:33 PM Forum: Refractors

Re: focusing problem

Posted By Ron Hranac
Are you trying to focus with a high power eyepiece or low power eyepiece? In some scopes a high power eyepiece can produce images that aren't as clear as what one may see with a lower power eyepiece.

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