Re: ATM - RTMC

["Tom and Beth Simmons" <tomandbeth@theriver.com>]

Hi Ken,

  I've been to RMTC several times (8 to 10?). Yes there are commercial
vendors there, but then again,
they contribute door prizes that (I for one) wouldn't mind taking home, or
at least selling, so I can buy tools,
glass, encoders, motors, tools, computers,... did I say tools?

  Usually anywhere from 1,500 to 2,500 folks attend, depending on moon
phase. I have talked at length with
ATMers with interesting telescopes and/or components. Amatuers and
professionals rub elbows, yet very few
attitudes exist. As with any group, don't leave valuables out. I usually
leave my telescope at home, because
MOST scopes there are bigger and better than mine, and you can look through
quite a few of them. As with so
many other things in life, each person has different needs and expectations.
Frankly, I can look past the commercial
stuff and just enjoy socializing with other telescope nuts. Others may not,
and they certainly have a right to
speak their mind, and vote with their pocketbook as they see fit.

  Last but not least, there are some areas that feature better camping or
dorms than others. I prefer a
section that has very little traffic, to pursue another hobby - a nice
afternoon nap. Other folks like to be in the
thick of things.

  May I encourage you to find a way to make it? If not this year, than some
other. Also visit the Texas Star
party and all the others. What have you got to lose? Since you are a member
of this list, your sanity is already
gone. Spend your kid's inheritance.

>Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2001 19:08:03 -0500
>From: "Noesgaard,Ken" <Ken.Noesgaard@siemens.ca>
>Subject: Re: ATM - RTMC Fraud is Ended
SNIP>>
>I'm quite interested to hear of people's experiences at that and other such
>venues. If the RTMC has drifted away from things of interest to amateur
>telescope makers, that is good information to those of us who would
>otherwise attend. If I want to go to a star party, I don't have to drive
for
>3 days to get to one.

>IMHO this IS on-topic. After all, this is the ATM list, not just the
>"testing and figuring" list.

>Ken Noesgaard
>Saskatoon, SK.
SNIP<<

Tom and Beth Simmons
tasimmons@west.raytheon.com (work)
tomandbeth@theriver.com         (home)