ATM The project is on it's way

["Ryan Hess" <atmryan@excite.com>]

Hi everyone,

   I thought I'd let everyone know where I am 
in this telescope "renovating" project.  Just 
recently, I've been informed that the Orion 
Short Tube 4.5" has a spherical mirror!  
According to them, it's not even diffraction 
limited, it's 1/2 wave.  All the more motivation 
to get this project on the road.  
   I've sent off for my mirror grinding supplies, 
and my new spider.  I just finished making a 
stepper motor interface for the focault tester.  
It features 4 pushbuttons, and a stepper that 
has 200 steps.  I got it for $1 from a disk drive 
at "Good Will", a thrift store in the area.  I've 
seen stuff like that for $10 in a surplus 
catalog.  
   I also came home from Radio Shack the 
other day, with a 12,000 mcd LED, and a pot, 
and a 2"D" holder.  The LED cost $4, and the 
second I got home, I wanted to try it out, and I 
put it on the holder's leads, and burnt it out.  
Well, went back there today, and bought a 
300mcd green Jumbo LED for $2.  Works 
great.  I'll keep you guys updated.

Ryan Hess




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