I had the worst night of my life

[h0ughy]

Here I sit typing this , tired and cranky ruing a night of misfortune and disaster.:sadeyes::sadeyes:

It was a perfect night:thumbsup: the first night that was clear for weeks - even months, slight breeze I even got the gear out after managing to talk the wife out of going to carols by candlelight. and that's as good as it got.

A new moonlight focuser on the R200SS - it was brilliant, and I even got the scope collimated, but as for the rest............

I could not for the life of me get the toucam to work, or the DMK and for 5 hours i persevered to get the bloody things to work - the whole night!!!! nothing no imaging no guiding, no luck. probably the best transparency I have seen over Newcastle for a long long time. And the show put on by Geminids was spectacular -almost rubbing it in that i wasn't imaging. I never even got the chance to drift align as i was transfixed with the problem at hand!!


Its was almost enough to make me quit the hobby;)

[Rodstar]

If that is as bad as it gets HOughy, you are blessed indeed!

Maybe you should gave gone to that Carols service after all?:whistle:

[Dennis]

Sorry to hear of your travails Dave - but I'm glad you made it through the “night-to-be-forgotten” and will soon get out of the doldrums and return to your usual cheery self.

Cheers

Dennis

PS - to help minimise these traumatic events, I try to do as much configuration and testing as I am able, in daylight, thus minimising the nasty surprises.

[erick]

And fair enough too. I'll send you my address so you can dump all your gear on my front lawn!








:D

[beren]

Trails and tribulations :doh: interestingly I seem to encounter the same scenarios when I manage to squirm out of my wifes social/family engagements :P karhma
I have this printed (http://www.soton.ac.uk/~maa1/chi/philos/bulls.htm) and close at hand as an aid against frustration and for help in the search for astronomical enlightenment ;)

[edwardsdj]

At least the Geminds put on a good show :)

[Ric]

That's a bummer Dave, hope you get those problems sorted.

Chin up

[h0ughy]

yep your right

well considering nearly all the new goodies turned up in the last few days and work and all I suppose I deserved it. Normally i test it - i assumed it would be a working wonder LOL

Dream on boy, dream on it all goes with me to the grave LOL

yes its true it is all true ---- but i did help an old lady yesterday - that might just be the R200SS working, wonder what I would have had to have done for the rest???

too right, and now it is high cloud and no blue sky visible tonight

hope to - BBQ tonight with a wine or two then a play with new software downloads and settings:help::whistle::screwy:

[IanL]

H0ughy

Did you find out what was causing you all the problems. Could be worse you could be in Brisbane. Not seen clear sky's for weeks.

[GeoffW1]

Ah yes, it was indeed best to go to the carols and sing one or two, then try the telescope. Try this one, to the tune of Silent Night:

Cloudless night, lovely night
Sky is dark, stars are bright
Round yon sturdy E-e Q five
Holding my R-200 on high
Tracking round heavenly scenes
Tracking round heavenly scenes

Cloudless night, lovely night
Hoping my Toucam works just right
Meteors stream from heaven afar
Batteries charged, dovetails tight
Wait! The LED’s not on
Wait! The LED’s not on

Cloudless night, lovely night
Oh no it’s not, voltage too slight
Radiant beams from Gemini there
CCD blank, too much to bear
Bet you it happens again
Bet you it happens again

(Apologies to anyone who might find this a bit off at Xmas, it is not meant to be in any way disrespectful, just larrikin)

[mill]

Geoff you are just too funny :rofl::rofl:

[h0ughy]

8 + for us:scared:

[h0ughy]

:thumbsup::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[leon]

Gee Houghy, I would take up stamp collecting after such an experience. :lol:

Leon :thumbsup:

[ballaratdragons]

Houghy,

you are suppose to turn the power on :whistle:

[h0ughy]

:rofl:LOL bought my anniversary astro stamps this year:D:P

[h0ughy]

Unlike your electron eating machine mine was a laptop ken - batteries:P:lol:. but the power was on:whistle:

[h0ughy]

OK - the verdict

I had a broken USB cable that was intermittent in its use - that was 1 problem fixed with a brand new cable.

then there was the issue of my upgrade to PHD I should have unloaded the older version rather then just installing over the top - this one now works.

third issue - I have marked several focus points on the scope for each camera. the toucam is still problematic and I hope to have the problem rectified soon

[Lee]

Sounds like a shi'ite night Dave..... have had those. I too never fire up anything for the first time in the dark!
Glad to hear you are solving the issues though.....

I was up at 3am (briefly) on Sat morning - it was absolutely amazing - I don't think any stars were twinkling at all.....

[h0ughy]

no they were not it was perfect:)