Queensland Astrofest 2013

[h0ughy (David)]

well I should be put in quarantine but I will be there!! only having one mount this year I hope to be over most of what i have, looking forward to recuperating with some photon therapy. have spent two the past three weeks off work crook - nothing like a challenge eh! BTW I haven't packed yet, and fast approaching a small panic attack........

many thanks to Lee for his help

[Davros (Lauren)]

Starting my pack up tonight and writing a shopping list for everything i have lost or forgotten about.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Houghy, so long as you don't forget to pack the EQ6

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

Houghy, so long as you don't forget to pack the EQ6

yes boss

[acropolite (Phil)]

Packed, on the boat last night and disembarked on the North Island, looking forward to the 4th....

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by acropolite

Packed, on the boat last night and disembarked on the North Island, looking forward to the 4th....

looking forward to seeing you.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

The first of the pilgrims to depart.

[Nortilus (Josh)]

ensuite tent put up and tested this morning...now to start packing

[h0ughy (David)]

well i feel a bit better and have been trying to prep the trailer and start the packing process. its a beautiful clam warm day today, but Wednesday we are due for some rain - which will hamper efforts for the final pack

i must make a list of the things i will need - and wont. not many spares coming this trip. yes JJJ i will be packing the eq6 today

as you can see i have had to get the trailer lights fixed - so i bought a light set from Supercheap Auto - fitted that this morning. the other lights sort of work but it needed a complete rewire. cheap quick way to get roadworthy

I will be packing for some comfort this year the "tajmyhut" just got a little bigger

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by Nortilus

ensuite tent put up and tested this morning...now to start packing

so how long did you take to pop it up and then pack it away

[Tandum (Robin)]

Dave, I've been told that they have changed the law up here regarding ute/trailer loads. I've been told you will be fined per item for an uncovered load and most utes/trailers I see getting around now have mesh/netting over them. I'm guessing your's will be covered with a tarp.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by Tandum

Dave, I've been told that they have changed the law up here regarding ute/trailer loads. I've been told you will be fined per item for an uncovered load and most utes/trailers I see getting around now have mesh/netting over them. I'm guessing your's will be covered with a tarp.

Robin I take you haven't seen the trailer fully packed. I ratchet the load down after the tarps and occo straps and trailer nets have been coveredand then put a second net over it. to precious to loose. been doing that since 2005

[Tandum (Robin)]

No I haven't, your first in and last out aren't ya

I thought you had a van full of stuff last time

The story I got about this load netting stuff was a builder had 2 open boxes of sicaflex (silicon) sliding around the back of his ute. They pulled him over and booked him $110 for each unsecured item. Two dozen tubes of silicon in this instance. The mongrels, anything to raise revenue.

[Nortilus (Josh)]

Didnt take long at all. 5 mins up...5 mins down...barely even needed instructions

[stanlite (Grady)]

i will have to unfurl the tent sometime this week at night... i will probably be arriving sometime around 8pm friday night and given i will only get that night and saturday night this year a night time setup is going to be attempted lol...

Did i also mention that i have to be back in brisbane now by 9am Saturday for an event that is being held so i will be gone all day saturday too back up by 4:30pm tested all the gear today on the laptop the QHY9 is aces with my equipment although i think i have damaged the Lodestar cable to the mount from the camera... does anyone now if you can do pulse guide like eqmod?

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Grady - if you are using Gemini.net you can pulse guide through the serial connection however I found this pretty flakey so went back to the ST4 port.

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by stanlite

i will have to unfurl the tent sometime this week at night... i will probably be arriving sometime around 8pm friday night and given i will only get that night and saturday night this year a night time setup is going to be attempted lol...

Did i also mention that i have to be back in brisbane now by 9am Saturday for an event that is being held so i will be gone all day saturday too back up by 4:30pm tested all the gear today on the laptop the QHY9 is aces with my equipment although i think i have damaged the Lodestar cable to the mount from the camera... does anyone now if you can do pulse guide like eqmod?

Don't forget you will not be able to drive into the grounds after sunset,so unless you are camping down the bottom by the Tennis courts you are going to have to carry all your stuff to your camping and observing/imaging site from the road.
Cheers

[thunderchildobs]

Could people please, please read the camp rules

http://media.qldastrofest.org.au/pdf...oklet.2013.pdf

regarding noise in and around the bunk houses, red lights, smoking and
children.

Brendan

[h0ughy (David)]

the countdown continues..... I have part packed the trailer and have cut down on a lot of kit - heaps in fact!! only clothing and food to go......

looking forward to the adventure

[stanlite (Grady)]

i have become well versed in setup in the dark no headlamps here Brendan.
Also all my equipment is in role-able cases so parking in the night parking area isn't a problem.

everything is planed and ready to go. looking forward to kicking your new mount houghy ... to test its stability of course >_>
<_<