[R-390] $5000.00 390A????

[rbethman]

I had looked into Radio Astronomy some years back.

The 10 meter sized dish is just the tip of the iceberg.  You then have 
to build or obtain all the associated LNAs, frequency converters, and 
then begin to store all the data, followed by the computing assets to 
convert the vast amounts of collected data into some form that is 
meaningful.

I quickly stepped back from that brink.  There is no way for me to be 
able to compete with all the Universities and segments of Astrophysics 
that are already doing this.  It simply reduced to numbers that I could 
not devote to such an endeavor.

However, this doesn't mean that I would not like to.  It is simply that 
I can't go that direction.

I stay with visual observation.  I have devoted one computer to do its 
tiny part of computing to Seti in the attempt to assist.

I began to start a Dobsonian 12" to 16" telescope a number of years 
back.  The priority issues struck, and I sold everything for that project.

I looked at a 16" SCT, but soon saw the dollar issues involved.  A group 
that I belong to had one of its premier members involved with one 
particular university using the specific 16" SCT.  during the movement 
of the instrument, an accident occurred.  The corrector lens got 
broken.  The manufacturer tossed off the concept of repair, and told 
them to simply buy another.  I certainly would not deal with their products.

I too went through a period of R/C planes and helicopters, and even into 
R/C car racing.  We hit a point where the location for flying got closed 
due to noise issues.  The real issue remained unknown.  I do know that 
the noise could not have been the real factor.  Our airplanes used 
mufflers that reduced the noise to the point that while running a test, 
it was demonstrated that one airplane within 6 feet of us, made far less 
noise that a lawn mower more than 30 feet away.

There was no logic to it.

Oh well, things just keep moving on.

Bob - N0DGN

Bob - N0DGN

On 3/17/2012 11:38 AM, barry williams wrote:
> I've always been fascinated. Radio astronomy. That would be Mecca. I
> think it was a Meade LX-200 14" that I almost bought. Getting to the
> country is fairly easy here. The university has an astronomy club. One
> draw back is that I know the land owner where they have star parties. He
> is a cranky old cuss. He once flew model airplanes at the rc club I
> belong too. He threatened to shoot one of the senior members. I was sort
> of put in the middle, and I don't trust that old coot to not shoot me
> out there on his farm.
>
> I wish I had bought the Meade!
>
>
> the other Barry