Barambah Spring 2008 Reservations are OPEN! - Page 7

Gargoyle_Steve (Steve) · #**121** 19-09-2008, 08:29 PM

No worries Alex, do you want Red, or Neutral Density, or both?

Mind you, if you're going to set up on the chessboard area, ie near the buildings not on the observing field, you probably won't need to be filtered for barambah, but it will always come in handy for going to Ron's place, etc, and I doubt you'll buy it this cheap anywhere else.

AlexN · #**122** 19-09-2008, 08:35 PM

I dunno what I want.. I suppose ND would be easiest to see and read through

Dennis · #**123** 19-09-2008, 09:13 PM

Hi Guys

Whilst the red or ND theatre lighting filters are tough, they are approx as thin (or slightly less than) an overhead transparency, so I suspect they will not be rigid enough to support themselves unless you have the screen angled at quite a shallow angle.

I built a frame from 20mm x 1mm aluminium and used contact adhesive to glue the filter to the frame to give it support and keep it taut.

For the astro camp, some masking tape applied to the top edge and the top of the notebook display frame should do. I reckon even a stiff (thickish) cardboard frame would do the job provided it doesn’t get to damp?

Cheers

Dennis

Gargoyle_Steve (Steve) · #**124** 19-09-2008, 11:48 PM

Thanks for that Dennis, must admit although the gel sheets arrived today I hadn't really unrolled either of them for a closer look.

I was thinking we should be ok to use velcro dots in the top corners around the laptop screen, and 2 more in the bottom corners if necessary to keep it in place, do you reckon that should work?

I like the masking tape idea too, and I will have rolls of that with me at camp as well!

Steve

AlexN · #**125** 19-09-2008, 11:53 PM

heh.. that reminds me of last time out at Ron's house Steve, Your preparedness was quite amazing, quite literally the man who has everything

(who brings superglue and rolls of blutac to a starparty?.. Steve does!)

Dennis · #**126** 20-09-2008, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gargoyle_Steve

I was thinking we should be ok to use velcro dots in the top corners around the laptop screen, and 2 more in the bottom corners if necessary to keep it in place, do you reckon that should work?
Steve

Hi Steve

I suspect that the width of the frame or chassis around each LCD display is quite different on various Notebook computers. My 4 ½ year old IBM ThinkPad has a very narrow frame which also angles back, so there isn’t enough available area to stick on a micro dot let alone Velcro dots.

Also, the lid may not close properly if there are Velcro dots attached to the frame around the LCD display?

That’s why long term, I ended up making a rigid frame out of aluminium, although heavy duty cardboard or 3mm MDF would do just as well if it were sealed against moisture.

My ThinkPad also has a couple of lugs that stick out from the frame around the LCD which “click in” to a couple of slots on the main chassis when the lid is closed down.

Cheers

Dennis

Gargoyle_Steve (Steve) · #**127** 21-09-2008, 12:58 AM

Ah yes good point Dennis, not all laptops are built equal.....

(Sounds like a great marketing slogan there, should copyright that.)

The masking tape is possibly sounding like a better back up option all the time. If anyone wants to pre-make thri own cardboard / MDF / aluminium frame we'll have the gel to fill it!

Yes Alex I do like to be prepared

and it has paid off numerous times so far - last time we were at Barambah I had the cordless drill out during Saturday night doing some mounting modifications for an azimuth encoder on a dob base right there on the field.

I have also been known to replace lost or worn screws, bolts and nuts from my spares drawers, and have often set up the soldering station during the day at Astrofest and done repair jobs for people such as fix broken leads, replace bent/broken cable pins, even makeup some new stuff on occasions ..... but so far I haven't needed to usethe small gas powered pencil torch I carry with me!

So far........

pmrid (Peter) · #**128** 21-09-2008, 04:04 PM

Hey Steve,
can I score (read 'acquire by purchase, barter or larceny) some of that ND and velcro dots. I'm overseas until the morning of the 26th so won't have another chance to buy up on emergency supplies - aside from Bundy of course.

Peter

Gargoyle_Steve (Steve) · #**129** 21-09-2008, 07:34 PM

Not a problem Peter, it will be waiting for you.

Alex if you like I'll keep some red and ND aside for you and you can make your mind up at the Camp itself.

I'm assuming you guys all have pretty "standard" sized screens, but can you each just indicate if you have 14, 15 or 17 inch screens, and whether it's 3:4 ratio or a widescreen, so I can make sure I have sufficient kept aside.

=================================== =================

Anyone who still wants to register but hasn't done so yet, please do so now!

Pre camp registrations will have to close midnight Monday night, even if you can't get your payment in by then please complete the registration form so we know you're coming, and we can accept your cash payment on site when you arrive. Anyone who wants to turn up at Barambah without registering may do so, and I'm sure we'll find you a bed ok but without forewarning of your arrival you may have to bunk up with others in one of the larger "8 or more" dorm rooms.

AlexN · #**130** 21-09-2008, 07:35 PM

3:4 ratio, around the 15" mark.. probably closer to 14" though.. I can measure it up for you if you prefer Steve...

WOOOOOH!!!! 5 days till I'll be on my way up!!

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #**131** 21-09-2008, 10:06 PM

Steve,
As we will be missing Dr Who on Sunday night, would you be able to bring along next weeks episode? Pretty please.... with sugar on top.

pmrid (Peter) · #**132** 22-09-2008, 12:49 AM

Steve,
I'm in Malaysia until Friday a.m. and will have to guess about screen sizes etc. I use 2 laptops on the big Dob and a third on my Maksutov - and I'd estimate them to be 1 x 12" , 1 x 14/15 and another bloody tiny - it's one of the ASUS EeePC things the size of a bee's etc. 7" I think. And as for aspect ratios - well, what a question to ask a nice boy.
Peter

AlexN · #**133** 22-09-2008, 01:05 AM

Peter, I look forward to checking out that little ASUS eeePC!!

I've been wanting one, but with not having seen or used one I've been a bit skeptical... It would be great to use for my portable imaging setup provided it was fast enough to do the job.. (which it should be judging by its specs..)

The weather man tells me that we should be looking at a nice weekend next weekend.. this is good news!

(Alex grabs at the nearest bit of wood)

The

drmorbius (Randall) · #**134** 23-09-2008, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexN

The

The? the what? I can't take the suspense!!! Alex, what were you trying to tell us?

drmorbius (Randall) · #**135** 23-09-2008, 09:41 AM

BTW - Apparently we can get channel 9 up at the camp, so all us rugby league fanatics will be able to watch the NRL finals.

And I'm still working on Dr. Who...

Tandum (Robin) · #**136** 23-09-2008, 10:30 AM

What episode is it up to? I have Season 4 here.

drmorbius (Randall) · #**137** 23-09-2008, 10:34 AM

episode 12 was last sunday... next sunday is 13... the finale!

If you have it, I'll hold off on the torrent.

Tandum (Robin) · #**138** 23-09-2008, 10:42 AM

Doctor Who S04E13 Journeys End .. Got it.
I'll convert it to a dvd.

drmorbius (Randall) · #**139** 23-09-2008, 11:18 AM

Excellent

AlexN · #**140** 23-09-2008, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drmorbius

The? the what? I can't take the suspense!!! Alex, what were you trying to tell us?

Ummm... who knows what I was on about... The End?

May have ment that the excitement was killing me, as it still is...

I'll be there Friday by about 12 I hope.

Cant wait.