if you spent thousands of dollars on sponsoring stuff and be treated like c--p by the committee and be bullied, you won't be taking a chill pill. Had to forgo a month's pay for Astrofest.
I'm sure everyone else had a good time, but this is our experience and we will be keeping our money this time. That sounds more fun.
if you spent thousands of dollars on sponsoring stuff and be treated like c--p by the committee and be bullied, you won't be taking a chill pill. Had to forgo a month's pay for Astrofest.
I'm sure everyone else had a good time, but this is our experience and we will be keeping our money this time. That sounds more fun.
I'm so so sorry you had that experience.
What an awful thing to happen.
I haven't been to Astrofest before and now that I'm retired I would like to attend this year.
Is there a document that explains what I should bring along (besides astro gear), e.g generator for 240V or a bank of a 12V batteries, a weeks worth of food, and are their facilities there. I can sleep in the back of my Ute with a sleeping bag so that's not an issue.
Billdan ,
You will have a blast. I haven't missed a year since 2002!. Looks like the 2016 web site might not be up but http://www.qldastrofest.org.au/ will give you a good idea. It should answer most of your questions
Power IS available, but due to the location the supply is subject to some issues. This is a rural site in the hills near the source of the Brisbane River, and while there is power there, the Queensland Astrofest is like putting a small town (without the supporting infrastructure) where there was none before.
When the Astrofest was conceived and started, almost everybody had dobs, I recall only one computer in the first few years, and only one or two SCTs. Things have changed as in the imaging field it is not uncommon to have two computers, dew zappers of course, multiple cameras, etc. I know on their own they have modest usage but multiply that by 50 to 100... you see where this is going. The power company came out one year as there must have been complaints from other users of the single 3-phase supply to the area. I DON'T expect that the grid will be upgraded just for us. Brown-outs are an increasing issue.
Please make sure that:
All your equipment is electrically safe (no shorts, leakages, etc)
Use UPS for critical equipment
Surge protect critical equipment
Keep plug joins sealed
Avoid tripping hazards with leads and plugs (stake them down, cover with mat, etc)
Avoid using overlong power leads, coiled leads can create induction fields
240v hair-dryers are to be avoided
electric blankets and heaters put a huge load on the system - rethink your warming neads
The Committee tries to provide the best experience for all who attend, but we need fellow 'Festers to assist. Power is the greatest challenge faced by the Committee, and it is growing - just look at your own list of equipment and how it has changed in the last 10 years.
Just a quick word to let everyone know that the first meeting of the Queensland Astrofest 2016 organising committee was held yesterday. Registration is estimated to "go live" toward the end of April.
As always the meeting examined the nuts and bolts of the the Astrofest. Further meetings are coming up soon and when important info needs to be announced, we will be doing it via the web-page, Facebook and through the IIS threads such as this one.
Just a quick word to let everyone know that the first meeting of the Queensland Astrofest 2016 organising committee was held yesterday. Registration is estimated to "go live" toward the end of April.
As always the meeting examined the nuts and bolts of the the Astrofest. Further meetings are coming up soon and when important info needs to be announced, we will be doing it via the web-page, Facebook and through the IIS threads such as this one.
