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Posts Made By: Bill Byrd

October 4, 2006 03:05 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Thanks Floyd!

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]Here's a pic of the USA (Upper Support Assembly) with the newly crafted baffle. Before the baffle and the heat shrink on the tubes, I was a little back heavy. With the newly added weight, things balance very well!
Bill[/COLOR]

October 25, 2006 11:28 PM Forum: Landscape Photography

Moody Casa Grande

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]This was leaving Guadalupe Mountains NP in Texas. There was not a cloud anywhere except for this cap (lenticular?) cloud over the peaks.
Bill[/COLOR]

October 25, 2006 11:44 PM Forum: Landscape Photography

Animals in the Landscape

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]While in Big Bend NP, I was very close to this family of bears two times. This is the only pic I managed to get of all three of them. They were about 30' away.
Bill[/COLOR]

December 30, 2006 04:37 PM Forum: Telescope Making

How is this?

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]Hi Chuck!
First - Nice looking OTA!

Second - Probably harder to sell at a decent price without optics.
Many potential buyers are looking for a "complete", ready to use scope.

Third - Put a price that you think is fair but check that you are flexible.
Again, many potential buyers may not have any idea what the structure might
be worth so if you don't give them a starting point for the price, they'll
be apt to low-ball you with offers just to see if they can get it.

Just my opinion as far as selling self-made stuff.
HNY!
Bill [/COLOR]

December 31, 2006 08:33 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

SONY DXC-151A, any thoughts?

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]Hi Bryan!
From the specs on the web, it's not a particularly sensitive camera so I don't know how well it will do on astronomical objects. What scope will you be using it on?
HNY!
Bill[/COLOR]

January 23, 2007 01:10 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Why Are Rechargable AA Batts 1.2V & Not 1.5V?

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]Thanks all!
I learn something every time I ask here.
Bill[/COLOR]

February 7, 2007 02:29 AM Forum: Telescope Making

8.5" F/12.5 Refractor

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]Sweet! Ventilation too!

That itty bitty counterweight is all you need!! shocked
Bill[/COLOR]

February 11, 2007 09:18 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

New (?) SV 60mm Finder

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]Well....being a finder freak, I may just have to try one of the 60mm SVs. I think a 50mm is the minimum for a useful finder...and bigger is better.

Here's a pic of finders I have on my current scope- 80mm, with Rigel and green laser mounted on the 80mm OTA.

I've since replaced the 80mm with a Vixen 70mm guide scope.

My newest scope will have Just the Rigel mounted on the upper assembly to keep the weight down...unless I make a few adjustments and allow for the 60mm SV.....
Bill[/COLOR]

February 21, 2007 03:49 AM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Map With Star Magnitudes Around Trapezium?

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]Thanks again all!

What I'm after is the mags of a few stars just outside of the Trap area. I finally got my star map program to show me the Trap area with mags for the stars I was interested in. Turns out most of them are variables anyway so the absolute mags I was curious about are not...absolute!

Oh well...I need to find a better star field to use to test how deep I can go...I need an area without nebulosity and with fewer variable...but with enough stars of various mags to test how deep I can reach.

Any suggestions?
Bill[/COLOR]

February 26, 2007 01:59 AM Forum: Telescope Making

What Do Amateurs Do For a Living?

Posted By Bill Byrd
[COLOR="Purple"]Great question James!

Myself, I design, install and maintain high end videoconferencing and audio visual systems for a state university. Luckily my job benefits allow for a fair amount of time off, which I like to use building scopes and observing with them.

Like several of the others, I'm "hands on" in that I like to build and tinker. I like working with wood and enjoy the challenge of making something that I need for a telescope.

What type of woodworking are you involved in?
Bill[/COLOR]

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