Excelent news Dave, i am eagerly waiting to see how the rod holds up to 50 degrees.
I have found some more cool stuff
http://www.circuitcellar.com/avr2004/DA3760.html
Move over JMI Motofocus..
Also found this Australian electronics dealer for the AVR and other Microcontrollers etc.
http://www.dontronics.com/prod.html
The AVR is a new cheap microcontroller that is easy to program see here for samples
http://www.circuitcellar.com/avr2004/index.html
Everything from Internet MP3 tuners to a Servo Controller that can control upto 30 servo motors..
Here is where the AVR Freaks hang out
http://www.avrfreaks.net/