Here I sit typing this , tired and cranky ruing a night of misfortune and disaster.
It was a perfect night 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!!
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.
Trails and tribulations interestingly I seem to encounter the same scenarios when I manage to squirm out of my wifes social/family engagements karhma
I have this printed and close at hand as an aid against frustration and for help in the search for astronomical enlightenment
If that is as bad as it gets HOughy, you are blessed indeed!
Maybe you should gave gone to that Carols service after all?
yep your right
Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
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
Quote:
Originally Posted by erick
And fair enough too. I'll send you my address so you can dump all your gear on my front lawn!
Dream on boy, dream on it all goes with me to the grave LOL
Quote:
Originally Posted by beren
Trails and tribulations interestingly I seem to encounter the same scenarios when I manage to squirm out of my wifes social/family engagements karhma
I have this printed and close at hand as an aid against frustration and for help in the search for astronomical enlightenment
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???
Quote:
Originally Posted by edwardsdj
At least the Geminds put on a good show
too right, and now it is high cloud and no blue sky visible tonight
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ric
That's a bummer Dave, hope you get those problems sorted.
Chin up
hope to - BBQ tonight with a wine or two then a play with new software downloads and settings
A new moonlight focuser on the R200SS - it was brilliant,
Its was almost enough to make me quit the hobby
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)
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)
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
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.....
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.....
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.
interestingly I seem to encounter the same scenarios when I manage to squirm out of my wifes social/family engagements 
karhma
