Tripod Field Base

[PKay (Peter)]

Hi All

Thought would share this one, as it works very well.

A small amount of welding and a few bits from ebay.

I often have to set up on uneven ground.

Set up goes like this:

Use string line and compass to set N S.
Jacks are used for accurate levelling.
Place tripod.

First night, I spent 60 minutes with PHD drift align and got it spot on.
Next night (at a new site) I started up PHD Drift align...and it was spot ON!
No adjustment needed of ALT AZ at all.

[bojan]

Good idea...

I am using the similar method..
First, I replaced the standard bubble level on my EQ6 with more sensitive one. Adjusting the length of the legs is not as easy as with your gadget, though... I wish I found some sort of helical thread for the job.

Also, for (rough) south direction, I am using compass (mounted on 1metre aluminium shaft, so it is away from metallic objects in the mount).
The arm could be attached on the mount in repeatable way.

The first time alignment took some time... the next one (even on different spot) is always easy.