From: Mark Gaffney <markgaffney@mac.com>

Date: April 23, 2009 6:45:28 PM MDT

To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [Astro_IIDC] pads & sheds..


Milton, I think I need something as a level base if only because the ground gets so soggy here(particularly at the moment- after 3-4 days clear we had another week of rain-clear again today though). I`ve heard of this problem of concrete accumulating heat but I haven`t noticed it being a problem with the scope, by the time I usually start observing (around 10 pm- occasionally I do get out around dinner though). Snakes & spiders have never been a problem on the pad outside the carport, though ants can be a pain. We do have a visit from an immature black or brown snake but they`re easily moved on their way-not this summer though! I`ve been quoted $810 for a 3 metre square pad (that`s for a contracter to make it etc.). It`s to be made that large to cope with the prospective shed/ observatory if that happens. I haven`t entirely given up on that idea yet! The cables will basically have to come out of the corner of the garage across a path through a small verge of garden & onto the pad-the advantage is I can do a lot of work from inside hopefully when I accomplish proper remote control. The idea of the computer on a single power cord is in the running too, especially if I obtain my 2nd Mac Mini later in the year. The Mini has monitor,keyboard/mouse, ethernet, usb hubs, sound as well as the firewire cable to remove so it`s a rather involved process moving it each time especially when you have things (like monitors..my new Samsung one is a problem with this! )which won`t restart immediately when the power to the computer is turned off! The monitors are at present going through a VGA splitter & a DVI / VGA switch which is a relic from when I thought I could use 2 DVI screens but does have a convenient usb hub incorporated & keyboard mouse sockets. Mark.

On 24/04/2009, at 2:59 AM, Milton Aupperle wrote:


Mark;


If your not building a Shed, why build a Pad?


Without shade, the Pad will soak up the days heat and radiate it all

night long, which can hurt your seeing, just like a house does in the

evening. It also attracts snakes, spiders or any cold blooded vermin

that want to warm up too in the night.


And why have cables everywhere that likely will get mangled when all

you really need to have a single power cord and move your gear to the

site?


What I would do is look into an efficient way of transporting your

Mac Mini and gear to and from the observing site. For example, make a

board / open top box / desk with big wheels that the Mac Mini, power

supplies, cords and Monitor are attached to so you can move it all as

a single unit in one shot. Add a garbage bag / tarp cover etc to keep

heavy dew or intermittent rain off your gear, if that's an issue.


HTH..


Milton Aupperle



On 23-Apr-09, at 2:47 AM, Mark Gaffney wrote:


Hi Milton, I`ve run into a couple of snags with the shed. My Father is

being difficult about MORE electrical cables across the yard & the

best site with respect to sky views & length of cables (were they to

be dug in for instance?) appears to invade my (next eldest) brother`s

personal space. Perhaps I`ll have to go with the simple pad tucked in

amongst the bushes of the front garden (suggested by my Mother) & hope

she can eventually be convinced the shed wouldn`t be an eyesore. The

main problem with the cables to this site was the firewire ones which

can probably be solved by the use of a long ethernet cable as you

suggest! These cables would be removed when not connected to the

scope. Anyway thanks for your help! Mark.



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