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-Christopher Erickson
Network Design Engineer
5432 E. Northern Lights Blvd., Suite 529
Anchorage, AK  99508
N61° 11.710'  W149° 46.723'
Meade 16" LX200 SCT
www.data-plumber.com

"Monetary contributions to support the
Data-Plumber.com archives are always
welcome via PayPal to cerickson@..."




> -----Original Message-----
> From: MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of AB
> Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 4:15 PM
> To: MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [MeadeDS] Electric Focuser for DS-2102MAK
>
> Looking for an electric focuser for my latest Craigslist
> purchase....
> Apparently the 1240 is no longer produced by Meade....  I
> can't find a
> retailer with it in stock.  Any suggestions? TIA
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

Looking for an electric focuser for my latest Craigslist purchase....
Apparently the 1240 is no longer produced by Meade....  I can't find a
retailer with it in stock.  Any suggestions? TIA

--- In MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com, "brian_jilka" <brian_jilka@...> wrote:
>
> I have electronics and microcontroller experience, and was
> interested in developing my own controller for a pair of
> DS motors that I have for tracking/goto operations.
>
> Does anyone know anything about the protocol used to communicate
> between the handheld controller and these motors?  I know that they
> are controlled by a PIC, so they likely have some serial interface
> with feedback.  I have seen I2C as the basic protocol on the
> Internet, but was would like to know if anyone has any more specific
> information on commands and responses between the controller and
> motor before I drag out an oscilliscope and get dirty with it.

Much work has been done over the years by the folks at the
Roboscope Yahoo group,
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/RoboScope/
(check out their Files area)

and be sure to read Meade's patents:
  6,304,376 and  6,392,799  from
http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/srchnum.htm
...as well as other sites.

Most of the effort has been in replacing the -motors- with
more powerful units... very few have succeeded in usefully
controlling the DS units without keeping the Autostar in
the picture.

have fun
--dick

I have electronics and microcontroller experience, and was interested
in developing my own controller for a pair of DS motors that I have
for tracking/goto operations.

Does anyone know anything about the protocol used to communicate
between the handheld controller and these motors?  I know that they
are controlled by a PIC, so they likely have some serial interface
with feedback.  I have seen I2C as the basic protocol on the
Internet, but was would like to know if anyone has any more specific
information on commands and responses between the controller and
motor before I drag out an oscilliscope and get dirty with it.

Thanks!

-Brian

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1309902,00.html

-Christopher Erickson

Sounds like a long tube would work. Mine is about that
long as I remember.
Remember that the distance from the diagonal mirror to
the eyepiece is subracted from the total length of the
tube as it turns the light path 90 degrees at that
point.
Jerry in Arizona

--- Mark Jones <astronomy@...> wrote:

> Jerry,
>
> I finally got a full moon to test with.  The
> distance was 35 inches.
>
> So, this would require a long tube, right?
>
> Mark
>
> --- In MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com, Jerry
> <crazyj1251@...> wrote:
> >
> > Mark,
> > In order to use that mirror it has to be about f4
> in
> > the short tube. It is easy to sheck the focal
> length.
> > Go out on a full moon and reflect the image of the
> > moon on a flat white surface. Move the mirror back
> and
> > forth until you get a focused image. Measure the
> > distance from the surface to the mirror and do the
> > math. The distance should match the length of your
> > scope from the primary mirror to the focal point
> where
> > an eyepiece would come to focus.
> > Hope that helps
> > Jerry in Arizona
>
>
>



      
________________________________________________________________________________\
____
Looking for last minute shopping deals?
Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. 
http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping

Jerry,

I finally got a full moon to test with.  The distance was 35 inches.

So, this would require a long tube, right?

Mark

--- In MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com, Jerry <crazyj1251@...> wrote:
>
> Mark,
> In order to use that mirror it has to be about f4 in
> the short tube. It is easy to sheck the focal length.
> Go out on a full moon and reflect the image of the
> moon on a flat white surface. Move the mirror back and
> forth until you get a focused image. Measure the
> distance from the surface to the mirror and do the
> math. The distance should match the length of your
> scope from the primary mirror to the focal point where
> an eyepiece would come to focus.
> Hope that helps
> Jerry in Arizona

I can do that!  Thanks for the tip.

Mark J

Mark,
In order to use that mirror it has to be about f4 in
the short tube. It is easy to sheck the focal length.
Go out on a full moon and reflect the image of the
moon on a flat white surface. Move the mirror back and
forth until you get a focused image. Measure the
distance from the surface to the mirror and do the
math. The distance should match the length of your
scope from the primary mirror to the focal point where
an eyepiece would come to focus.
Hope that helps
Jerry in Arizona


--- Mark Jones <astronomy@...> wrote:

> Thanks, Jerry. The main reason I'm wanting to know
> the difference is
> because of the relay lens issue.  I'm wanting to
> modify my DS so that
> I can use a standard focuser without the relay, i.e.
> post #603.
> Would save me the trouble of epoxying a bolt to the
> back of the
> mirror.
>
> Mark J
>
>
> --- In MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com, Jerry
> <crazyj1251@...> wrote:
> >
> > Mark,
> > I am not sure if there is a simple way but I know
> it
> > can be done. The question is why bother? It is
> > essentially impossible to tell the difference
> between
> > parabolic and spherical when the mirror is so
> small.
> > Also you need to know the focal length of the
> mirror
> > before you can proceed in any case. Most 4.5"
> mirrors
> > today are either f8 or f4. The f8 mirrors are
> usually
> > spherical as at that focal ratio, it doesn't
> matter.
> > The f4 mirrors can be either.
> > I have an f8 mirror that I plan to test for
> parabolic
> > just because it was sold to me as parabolic, but I
> > really don't care as long as it star tests better
> than
> > the Meade mirror it will replace. I only paid
> about
> > $10 for it so it will not kill me to either toss
> it or
> > maybe try to refigure it in my spare time.
> > Jerry in Arizona
> >
> >
> > --- Mark Jones <astronomy@...> wrote:
> >
> > > Is there a relatively simple way to determine if
> a
> > > mirror is spherical
> > > or parabolic?
> > >
> > > I have a 4.5" mirror and cell that appears to
> have
> > > come from some kind
> > > of nicely made scope.  (My cousin bought the
> scope
> > > parts at a garage
> > > sale for $1 because he wanted the tube to fix
> his
> > > water heater... and
> > > tossed the mirror in his junk drawer...)  Oh
> well,
> > > I'm thinking of
> > > either building a new reflector with it, or
> using it
> > > in my DS if it
> > > turns out to be parabolic.
> > >
> > > Mark J
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
______________________________________________________________________
> ______________
> > Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your home page.
> > http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
> >
>
>
>



      
________________________________________________________________________________\
____
Looking for last minute shopping deals?
Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. 
http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping

Thanks, Jerry. The main reason I'm wanting to know the difference is
because of the relay lens issue.  I'm wanting to modify my DS so that
I can use a standard focuser without the relay, i.e. post #603.
Would save me the trouble of epoxying a bolt to the back of the
mirror.

Mark J


--- In MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com, Jerry <crazyj1251@...> wrote:
>
> Mark,
> I am not sure if there is a simple way but I know it
> can be done. The question is why bother? It is
> essentially impossible to tell the difference between
> parabolic and spherical when the mirror is so small.
> Also you need to know the focal length of the mirror
> before you can proceed in any case. Most 4.5" mirrors
> today are either f8 or f4. The f8 mirrors are usually
> spherical as at that focal ratio, it doesn't matter.
> The f4 mirrors can be either.
> I have an f8 mirror that I plan to test for parabolic
> just because it was sold to me as parabolic, but I
> really don't care as long as it star tests better than
> the Meade mirror it will replace. I only paid about
> $10 for it so it will not kill me to either toss it or
> maybe try to refigure it in my spare time.
> Jerry in Arizona
>
>
> --- Mark Jones <astronomy@...> wrote:
>
> > Is there a relatively simple way to determine if a
> > mirror is spherical
> > or parabolic?
> >
> > I have a 4.5" mirror and cell that appears to have
> > come from some kind
> > of nicely made scope.  (My cousin bought the scope
> > parts at a garage
> > sale for $1 because he wanted the tube to fix his
> > water heater... and
> > tossed the mirror in his junk drawer...)  Oh well,
> > I'm thinking of
> > either building a new reflector with it, or using it
> > in my DS if it
> > turns out to be parabolic.
> >
> > Mark J
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
______________________________________________________________________
______________
> Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your home page.
> http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
>

Mark,
I am not sure if there is a simple way but I know it
can be done. The question is why bother? It is
essentially impossible to tell the difference between
parabolic and spherical when the mirror is so small.
Also you need to know the focal length of the mirror
before you can proceed in any case. Most 4.5" mirrors
today are either f8 or f4. The f8 mirrors are usually
spherical as at that focal ratio, it doesn't matter.
The f4 mirrors can be either.
I have an f8 mirror that I plan to test for parabolic
just because it was sold to me as parabolic, but I
really don't care as long as it star tests better than
the Meade mirror it will replace. I only paid about
$10 for it so it will not kill me to either toss it or
maybe try to refigure it in my spare time.
Jerry in Arizona


--- Mark Jones <astronomy@...> wrote:

> Is there a relatively simple way to determine if a
> mirror is spherical
> or parabolic?
>
> I have a 4.5" mirror and cell that appears to have
> come from some kind
> of nicely made scope.  (My cousin bought the scope
> parts at a garage
> sale for $1 because he wanted the tube to fix his
> water heater... and
> tossed the mirror in his junk drawer...)  Oh well,
> I'm thinking of
> either building a new reflector with it, or using it
> in my DS if it
> turns out to be parabolic.
>
> Mark J
>
>
>
>



      
________________________________________________________________________________\
____
Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your home page.
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

Is there a relatively simple way to determine if a mirror is spherical
or parabolic?

I have a 4.5" mirror and cell that appears to have come from some kind
of nicely made scope.  (My cousin bought the scope parts at a garage
sale for $1 because he wanted the tube to fix his water heater... and
tossed the mirror in his junk drawer...)  Oh well, I'm thinking of
either building a new reflector with it, or using it in my DS if it
turns out to be parabolic.

Mark J

Jerry,

Thanks for your message.  I've been part of the group for a long time and
have learned/enjoyed a lot since then. In fact, it was thru this group
threads I got aware that you were selling the DS2114S I converted
thereafter. Hope it continues to save astro buddies from cutting short their
dreams (only their OTAs).

Best regards.

Carlos



-----Mensagem original-----
De: MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com [mailto:MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com] Em nome de
Jerry
Enviada em: terça-feira, 1 de janeiro de 2008 12:18
Para: MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com
Assunto: Re: RES: [MeadeDS] Re: Newbie with questions

Carlos,
Happy New Year! Nice to see you on this group. Sorry I
misspelled your name.
Every time I run into someone who got one of those
short tube newts with the corrector/barlow I tell them
about your article. It has saved quite a few budding
astronomers from throwing the scope in the closet and
never becoming active in this hobby.
Jerry in Arizona


--- IntelliSearch <intelli@...>
wrote:

> Mark,
> Hope the article helps you on upgrading your scope.
> Feel free to contact me
> whenever you wish so.
>
> Jerry
> Thanks for your kind words. Please feel free to
> distribute the PDF file by
> any means.  Consider it public domain stuff.
>
> Happy new year for you all.
>
> Carlos Nogueira
>
>
>
> -----Mensagem original-----
> De: MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com] Em nome de Mark
> Jones
> Enviada em: segunda-feira, 31 de dezembro de 2007
> 02:56
> Para: MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com
> Assunto: [MeadeDS] Re: Newbie with questions
>
> Wow!  I just read Carlos Antonio Nogueira's article,
> and it is just
> what I need.  I think I can do that!
>
> I'm very thankful that this group is active.  I
> assumed that I'd have
> a hard time getting some advice on my old scope--but
> here it is!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mark J
>
> --- In MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com, Jerry
> <crazyj1251@...> wrote:
> >
> > Over on the Meade DS Telescopes group there is a
> PDF
> > file in the files section written by Carlos
> Noguiera.
> > It shows in great detail how to convert a Hybrid
> > Newtonian telescope into a Richfield f4 Jewel. He
> did
> > it with very little money and documented the whole
> > process in detail for anyone to copy. Very good
> > article if you are interested. I would copy it
> over to
> > this group but I haven't asked Carlos for
> permission
> > to do so.
> > Hope that helps.
> > Jerry in Arizona
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>




____________________________________________________________________________
________
Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your home page.
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs



Yahoo! Groups Links

With Carlos' permission I copied the file to the files
section of this group. It is called DS2114 to Rich
Field Conversion. Enjoy!
Jerry in Arizona


--- WarpedCorp <warpcorp@...> wrote:

> Where is this file?  Please post a link to it.
>
>   Thanks
>
> IntelliSearch <intelli@...> wrote:
>           Mark,
> Hope the article helps you on upgrading your scope.
> Feel free to contact me
> whenever you wish so.
>
> Jerry
> Thanks for your kind words. Please feel free to
> distribute the PDF file by
> any means. Consider it public domain stuff.
>
> Happy new year for you all.
>
> Carlos Nogueira
>
> -----Mensagem original-----
> De: MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com] Em nome de Mark
> Jones
> Enviada em: segunda-feira, 31 de dezembro de 2007
> 02:56
> Para: MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com
> Assunto: [MeadeDS] Re: Newbie with questions
>
> Wow! I just read Carlos Antonio Nogueira's article,
> and it is just
> what I need. I think I can do that!
>
> I'm very thankful that this group is active. I
> assumed that I'd have
> a hard time getting some advice on my old scope--but
> here it is!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mark J
>
> --- In MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com, Jerry
> <crazyj1251@...> wrote:
> >
> > Over on the Meade DS Telescopes group there is a
> PDF
> > file in the files section written by Carlos
> Noguiera.
> > It shows in great detail how to convert a Hybrid
> > Newtonian telescope into a Richfield f4 Jewel. He
> did
> > it with very little money and documented the whole
> > process in detail for anyone to copy. Very good
> > article if you are interested. I would copy it
> over to
> > this group but I haven't asked Carlos for
> permission
> > to do so.
> > Hope that helps.
> > Jerry in Arizona
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been
> removed]
>
>



      
________________________________________________________________________________\
____
Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your home page.
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the MeadeDS
group.

   File        : /DS2114 to Rich Field Conversion.pdf
   Uploaded by : crazyj1251 <crazyj1251@...>
   Description : Carlos' PDF on converting a DS2114

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MeadeDS/files/DS2114%20to%20Rich%20Field%20Convers\
ion.pdf

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/web/index.htmlfiles

Regards,

crazyj1251 <crazyj1251@...>

Where is this file?  Please post a link to it.

   Thanks

IntelliSearch <intelli@...> wrote:
           Mark,
Hope the article helps you on upgrading your scope. Feel free to contact me
whenever you wish so.

Jerry
Thanks for your kind words. Please feel free to distribute the PDF file by
any means. Consider it public domain stuff.

Happy new year for you all.

Carlos Nogueira

-----Mensagem original-----
De: MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com [mailto:MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com] Em nome de Mark
Jones
Enviada em: segunda-feira, 31 de dezembro de 2007 02:56
Para: MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com
Assunto: [MeadeDS] Re: Newbie with questions

Wow! I just read Carlos Antonio Nogueira's article, and it is just
what I need. I think I can do that!

I'm very thankful that this group is active. I assumed that I'd have
a hard time getting some advice on my old scope--but here it is!

Thanks,

Mark J

--- In MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com, Jerry <crazyj1251@...> wrote:
>
> Over on the Meade DS Telescopes group there is a PDF
> file in the files section written by Carlos Noguiera.
> It shows in great detail how to convert a Hybrid
> Newtonian telescope into a Richfield f4 Jewel. He did
> it with very little money and documented the whole
> process in detail for anyone to copy. Very good
> article if you are interested. I would copy it over to
> this group but I haven't asked Carlos for permission
> to do so.
> Hope that helps.
> Jerry in Arizona

Yahoo! Groups Links






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Carlos,
Happy New Year! Nice to see you on this group. Sorry I
misspelled your name.
Every time I run into someone who got one of those
short tube newts with the corrector/barlow I tell them
about your article. It has saved quite a few budding
astronomers from throwing the scope in the closet and
never becoming active in this hobby.
Jerry in Arizona


--- IntelliSearch <intelli@...>
wrote:

> Mark,
> Hope the article helps you on upgrading your scope.
> Feel free to contact me
> whenever you wish so.
>
> Jerry
> Thanks for your kind words. Please feel free to
> distribute the PDF file by
> any means.  Consider it public domain stuff.
>
> Happy new year for you all.
>
> Carlos Nogueira
>
>
>
> -----Mensagem original-----
> De: MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com] Em nome de Mark
> Jones
> Enviada em: segunda-feira, 31 de dezembro de 2007
> 02:56
> Para: MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com
> Assunto: [MeadeDS] Re: Newbie with questions
>
> Wow!  I just read Carlos Antonio Nogueira's article,
> and it is just
> what I need.  I think I can do that!
>
> I'm very thankful that this group is active.  I
> assumed that I'd have
> a hard time getting some advice on my old scope--but
> here it is!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mark J
>
> --- In MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com, Jerry
> <crazyj1251@...> wrote:
> >
> > Over on the Meade DS Telescopes group there is a
> PDF
> > file in the files section written by Carlos
> Noguiera.
> > It shows in great detail how to convert a Hybrid
> > Newtonian telescope into a Richfield f4 Jewel. He
> did
> > it with very little money and documented the whole
> > process in detail for anyone to copy. Very good
> > article if you are interested. I would copy it
> over to
> > this group but I haven't asked Carlos for
> permission
> > to do so.
> > Hope that helps.
> > Jerry in Arizona
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>



      
________________________________________________________________________________\
____
Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your home page.
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

Carlos,

Have you had any trouble with your short focus reflector in terms of strain on
the glass warping it over time?  I heard that some people had that trouble and
decided to have my mirror refigured instead.

Your method is a wonderful idea that could be used by manufacturers to
revolutionize entry level reflectors.  I had intended to contact you about that
one issue over a year ago but did not know how to do it.

Since you responded to these posts, could you update us on how your scope is
behaving to corroborate or evaporate that rumor.  You input, opinions and ideas,
are greatly appreciated.

Best Regards,

Bill Steen

---- IntelliSearch <intelli@...> wrote:
> Mark,
> Hope the article helps you on upgrading your scope.  Feel free to contact me
> whenever you wish so.
>
> Jerry
> Thanks for your kind words. Please feel free to distribute the PDF file by
> any means.  Consider it public domain stuff.
>
> Happy new year for you all.
>
> Carlos Nogueira
>
>
>
> -----Mensagem original-----
> De: MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com [mailto:MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com] Em nome de Mark
> Jones
> Enviada em: segunda-feira, 31 de dezembro de 2007 02:56
> Para: MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com
> Assunto: [MeadeDS] Re: Newbie with questions
>
> Wow!  I just read Carlos Antonio Nogueira's article, and it is just
> what I need.  I think I can do that!
>
> I'm very thankful that this group is active.  I assumed that I'd have
> a hard time getting some advice on my old scope--but here it is!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mark J
>
> --- In MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com, Jerry <crazyj1251@...> wrote:
> >
> > Over on the Meade DS Telescopes group there is a PDF
> > file in the files section written by Carlos Noguiera.
> > It shows in great detail how to convert a Hybrid
> > Newtonian telescope into a Richfield f4 Jewel. He did
> > it with very little money and documented the whole
> > process in detail for anyone to copy. Very good
> > article if you are interested. I would copy it over to
> > this group but I haven't asked Carlos for permission
> > to do so.
> > Hope that helps.
> > Jerry in Arizona
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

Mark,
Hope the article helps you on upgrading your scope.  Feel free to contact me
whenever you wish so.

Jerry
Thanks for your kind words. Please feel free to distribute the PDF file by
any means.  Consider it public domain stuff.

Happy new year for you all.

Carlos Nogueira



-----Mensagem original-----
De: MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com [mailto:MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com] Em nome de Mark
Jones
Enviada em: segunda-feira, 31 de dezembro de 2007 02:56
Para: MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com
Assunto: [MeadeDS] Re: Newbie with questions

Wow!  I just read Carlos Antonio Nogueira's article, and it is just
what I need.  I think I can do that!

I'm very thankful that this group is active.  I assumed that I'd have
a hard time getting some advice on my old scope--but here it is!

Thanks,

Mark J

--- In MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com, Jerry <crazyj1251@...> wrote:
>
> Over on the Meade DS Telescopes group there is a PDF
> file in the files section written by Carlos Noguiera.
> It shows in great detail how to convert a Hybrid
> Newtonian telescope into a Richfield f4 Jewel. He did
> it with very little money and documented the whole
> process in detail for anyone to copy. Very good
> article if you are interested. I would copy it over to
> this group but I haven't asked Carlos for permission
> to do so.
> Hope that helps.
> Jerry in Arizona





Yahoo! Groups Links

Wow!  I just read Carlos Antonio Nogueira's article, and it is just
what I need.  I think I can do that!

I'm very thankful that this group is active.  I assumed that I'd have
a hard time getting some advice on my old scope--but here it is!

Thanks,

Mark J

--- In MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com, Jerry <crazyj1251@...> wrote:
>
> Over on the Meade DS Telescopes group there is a PDF
> file in the files section written by Carlos Noguiera.
> It shows in great detail how to convert a Hybrid
> Newtonian telescope into a Richfield f4 Jewel. He did
> it with very little money and documented the whole
> process in detail for anyone to copy. Very good
> article if you are interested. I would copy it over to
> this group but I haven't asked Carlos for permission
> to do so.
> Hope that helps.
> Jerry in Arizona

--- In MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Jones" <astronomy@...> wrote:
>
> This is a great thread and addresses my questions about modifying my
> DS2114.  Looks like I'm having similar experiences with mine.  Can't
> collimate it worth a darn.
..
> 2. If I get the mirror parabolized, I could use the original tube
> without the barlow thingy?  Where can I find more info on that?


Back in the Nov 2000 issue of Sky&Telescope was an article
by Alan Alder  on page 131:
"Flexing Spheres into High-Quality Telescope Mirrors"

...describing a simple (and inexpensive) technique of epoxying
a bolt to the rear of the mirror and -pulling- the spherical
mirror into a parabolic shape.

This was adapted by Ernie Pfannenschmidt for commercial telescopes
in the Nov 2003 (p 138) article:
"An Inexpensive Microflexed Newtonian Reflector"

(that 2nd article is aimed directly at Mark's goal)

...perhaps those techniques might be easier/cheaper than having
the mirror reground.

have fun
--dick

Over on the Meade DS Telescopes group there is a PDF
file in the files section written by Carlos Noguiera.
It shows in great detail how to convert a Hybrid
Newtonian telescope into a Richfield f4 Jewel. He did
it with very little money and documented the whole
process in detail for anyone to copy. Very good
article if you are interested. I would copy it over to
this group but I haven't asked Carlos for permission
to do so.
Hope that helps.
Jerry in Arizona


--- Mark Jones <astronomy@...> wrote:

> This is a great thread and addresses my questions
> about modifying my
> DS2114.  Looks like I'm having similar experiences
> with mine.  Can't
> collimate it worth a darn.
>
> 1. So, just getting a longer tube won't allow me to
> use a focuser
> without the "barlow thingy"?
>
> 2. If I get the mirror parabolized, I could use the
> original tube
> without the barlow thingy?  Where can I find more
> info on that?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mark J
>
>



      
________________________________________________________________________________\
____
Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your home page.
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

Something I left out:

Just changing out the tube will hurt you rather than help.  The
length of the tube is determined by the focal length of the mirror
along with minor effects of focuser length and the size of the
secondary mirror.

Changing to a longer tube means you have to have a longer focal
length mirror.  The old long tube telescopes are really too heavy and
have to much angular momentum for the DS mount.  They can be made to
work, but wear out the mount relatively fast.  The tripod is more
likely to fail with the additional weight.

Hope this helps,

Bill Steen


--- In MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Jones" <astronomy@...> wrote:
>
> This is a great thread and addresses my questions about modifying
my
> DS2114.  Looks like I'm having similar experiences with mine.
Can't
> collimate it worth a darn.
>
> 1. So, just getting a longer tube won't allow me to use a focuser
> without the "barlow thingy"?
>
> 2. If I get the mirror parabolized, I could use the original tube
> without the barlow thingy?  Where can I find more info on that?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mark J
>

Yes, you can use the same tube and get the mirror parabolized.  I did
that with my 2114.

The one thing you will probably end up needing to do is to get a
different focuser.  The barlow lens in the current focuser extends the
distance to the eyepiece some.  I ended up putting a threaded
focuser,made by Antares, that allowed me to get the eyepiece within two
inches of the optical tube metal.  It works out well, gives me a very
wide angle view.  However, the tolerance band for focusing is
relatively short, due to the focal point being very near the inside
limit of the focuser.

You cannot take pictures with the scope.  You need more focuser room
than this configuration will allow.

My mirror was originally over-ground and had a focal length of 425,
which stayed the same with parabolizing.  That amounts to an f.3.8 and
gives me a three degree field of view with a 25mm eyepiece at about 17X
magnification.  If I want to go to higher magnifications, I stick in a
more conventional barlow.

With an f/4 parabolic mirror, like you will have, there is distortion
towards the outside and you cannot use wide angle eyepieces without a
corrector lens in place.  University Optics sells a 2.2X and a 2.8X
KLEE barlow that has built in correction.  I believe either of them
sells for maybe $90.  The quality of the image is better than what I
get with either the Meade 4000 series barlow or the 3X Teleview
barlow.  Both of those are very good Apochromatic pieces that sell for
about the same price as the KLEE.  For wide angle telescopes like mine
or the one you could create, the KLEE is simply better.

The trick will be finding someone that is willing to refigure your
mirror.  I could not find any commercial mirror makers that would even
answer my email queries.  They seem to stop at six inch mirrors.  I
found a young lady in the sixth grade that redid mine under the
supervision of her father.  They did it as a father/daughter activity.
I ended up with a mirror that tested better than an eighth of a wave
error.  The veterans in our astronomy club think I have a very special
little scope.

Other things I did that helped:  Purchased a curved vane spider and a
1.3 inch 1/20th wave secondary mirror, lined the tube with light block
material that absorbs about 99% of the stray light that hits it, and
built a six inch long hood to stick out in front to block extra light
from my light shot surroundings.

The little scope was such a success that I am attempting to put
together a five inch f/4.3 scope to get a little more light gathering
power and still use the DS mount.  That scope will be about as big of a
scope as I can take into the back yard, carrying it with one hand.  The
reason for the f/4.3 is that is the shortest focal length that lets me
use a 32mm plossle for finding purposes (very nearly a 3 degree true
field of view).  The sweet spot for the KLEE barlow is between f/4 and
f.4.5.  I am trying to hit that also.  Basicly, I tried to make the
2114 "be all it could be" and am attempting the same with the larger
one.

If you choose to try this, I want to wish you good luck.  If you
succeed, I think you will have a really nice scope that you can enjoy
for many years, even if you end up buying a larger one for feint deep
sky observing.

Best Regards,

Bill Steen

S@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Jones" <astronomy@...> wrote:
>
> This is a great thread and addresses my questions about modifying my
> DS2114.  Looks like I'm having similar experiences with mine.  Can't
> collimate it worth a darn.
>
> 1. So, just getting a longer tube won't allow me to use a focuser
> without the "barlow thingy"?
>
> 2. If I get the mirror parabolized, I could use the original tube
> without the barlow thingy?  Where can I find more info on that?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mark J
>

Yes, you can use the same tube and get the mirror parabolized.  I did
that with my 2114.

The one thing you will probably end up needing to do is to get a
different focuser.  The barlow lens in the current focuser extends the
distance to the eyepiece some.  I ended up putting a threaded
focuser,made by Antares, that allowed me to get the eyepiece within two
inches of the optical tube metal.  It works out well, gives me a very
wide angle view.  However, the tolerance band for focusing is
relatively short, due to the focal point being very near the inside
limit of the focuser.

You cannot take pictures with the scope.  You need more focuser room
than this configuration will allow.

My mirror was originally over-ground and had a focal length of 425,
which stayed the same with parabolizing.  That amounts to an f.3.8 and
gives me a three degree field of view with a 25mm eyepiece at about 17X
magnification.  If I want to go to higher magnifications, I stick in a
more conventional barlow.

With an f/4 parabolic mirror, like you will have, there is distortion
towards the outside and you cannot use wide angle eyepieces without a
corrector lens in place.  University Optics sells a 2.2X and a 2.8X
KLEE barlow that has built in correction.  I believe either of them
sells for maybe $90.  The quality of the image is better than what I
get with either the Meade 4000 series barlow or the 3X Teleview
barlow.  Both of those are very good Apochromatic pieces that sell for
about the same price as the KLEE.  For wide angle telescopes like mine
or the one you could create, the KLEE is simply better.

The trick will be finding someone that is willing to refigure your
mirror.  I could not find any commercial mirror makers that would even
answer my email queries.  They seem to stop at six inch mirrors.  I
found a young lady in the sixth grade that redid mine under the
supervision of her father.  They did it as a father/daughter activity.
I ended up with a mirror that tested better than an eighth of a wave
error.  The veterans in our astronomy club think I have a very special
little scope.

Other things I did that helped:  Purchased a curved vane spider and a
1.3 inch 1/20th wave secondary mirror, lined the tube with light block
material that absorbs about 99% of the stray light that hits it, and
built a six inch long hood to stick out in front to block extra light
from my light shot surroundings.

The little scope was such a success that I am attempting to put
together a five inch f/4.3 scope to get a little more light gathering
power and still use the DS mount.  That scope will be about as big of a
scope as I can take into the back yard, carrying it with one hand.  The
reason for the f/4.3 is that is the shortest focal length that lets me
use a 32mm plossle for finding purposes (very nearly a 3 degree true
field of view).  The sweet spot for the KLEE barlow is between f/4 and
f.4.5.  I am trying to hit that also.  Basicly, I tried to make the
2114 "be all it could be" and am attempting the same with the larger
one.

If you choose to try this, I want to wish you good luck.  If you
succeed, I think you will have a really nice scope that you can enjoy
for many years, even if you end up buying a larger one for feint deep
sky observing.

Best Regards,

Bill Steen

S@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Jones" <astronomy@...> wrote:
>
> This is a great thread and addresses my questions about modifying my
> DS2114.  Looks like I'm having similar experiences with mine.  Can't
> collimate it worth a darn.
>
> 1. So, just getting a longer tube won't allow me to use a focuser
> without the "barlow thingy"?
>
> 2. If I get the mirror parabolized, I could use the original tube
> without the barlow thingy?  Where can I find more info on that?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mark J
>

This is a great thread and addresses my questions about modifying my
DS2114.  Looks like I'm having similar experiences with mine.  Can't
collimate it worth a darn.

1. So, just getting a longer tube won't allow me to use a focuser
without the "barlow thingy"?

2. If I get the mirror parabolized, I could use the original tube
without the barlow thingy?  Where can I find more info on that?

Thanks,

Mark J

Hello All,

I just wanted to say Happy New Year to everyone in the group. I also
wanted to take some time to say "Thank you!" to those of you who have
helped me get more out of this wonderful past-time called Astronomy!
So here goes... THANK YOU!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful and prosperous New Year with many
happy returns.

May God Bless You and Your's Throughout the New Year!

Sincerely,

Mike D. in California

Well Gents,
PROBLEM SOLVED ONCE AGAIN!

Thanks to your help and a little fiddling around on my part, I figured
out that the RS-232 plug on my homemade 505 cable had gotten stepped
on at some point and the little plastic fins between the copper
connectors had gotten bent a bit. I took a knife and straightened them
back up and re-connected it to the handbox. It must have been making
an intermittant connection before, because, now it connects every time
and very quickly via COM8. And yes Jerry, one of my other USB ports is
listed as COM1 and another is COM2. The best way to check is to go to
your device manager and double click "Ports" then double click "USB
serial port" Mine also says Radio Shack but it just depends on who
made your USB to Serial converter. Then look at the "General" tab and
it should tell you which port it has been assigned to. By the way. You
can change the port assignment from one of the tabs here, but it
doesn't work. Windows Vista assigns it automatically and that's it.

I also had to cut down my RS-232 connector, because it was oddly
formed. It had a little tit on the tip that was obstructing the
ability to insert the fitting in deep enough to make contact with the
wires in the handbox port.

I know I was not the first one with this issue as I have read many
topics with something similar, but mine was a combination of things,
and the point here that I would like to make is: Don't give up and
take small steps in troubleshooting the problem you may be having. It
could be one or more problems and if you focus on only one of them
then you may never be able to complete what you are looking to
accomplish. Keep an open mind and go back to basics before completely
beating your head against the wall, you may find, as I did, it was
something simple!


Thanks again guys!

Mike D. in Cali!




--- In MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com, Christopher Erickson <cerickson@...>
wrote:
>
> FWIW, I have found that USB to serial adapters get
> assigned different COM port numbers when plugged into
> different USB ports.  So as long as you always plug
> into the same USB port (PC port or hub port) you will
> get the same COM number.  But if you plug into a
> different USB port or if you move your USB hub to a
> different PC USB port then you will get different COM
> port number assignments.
>
> No big deal as long as you understand what is
> happening and know how to quickly find the right COM
> port assignment to select in the software.
>
> "My advice is always free and worth every penny!"
>
> -Christopher Erickson
> Network Design Engineer
> 5432 E. Northern Lights Blvd., Suite 529
> Anchorage, AK  99508
> N61° 11.710'  W149° 46.723'
> Meade 16" LX200 SCT
> www.data-plumber.com
>
> "Monetary contributions to support the
> Data-Plumber.com archives are always
> welcome via PayPal to cerickson@..."
>
>
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com
> > [mailto:MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jerry
> > Sent: Saturday, December 22, 2007 4:19 AM
> > To: MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: Re: [MeadeDS] Autostar 497 and Windows Vista problems.
> >
> > Mike,
> > I had to change the Com port with my cable to Com 6.
> > Not sure why but it worked after I did that.
> > All of the Meade software, including Autostar suite
> > and its updates are available at Meade. If you are
> > having trouble finding them there go to the sitemap at
> > the top right of the site.
> > Jerry in Arizona
> >
> >
> > --- Mike Dorsey <mickeydim468@...> wrote:
> >
> > > Thanks guys for all of your replies.
> > >
> > > I have the Radio Shack USB to serial adapter. It is
> > > working on my
> > > computer, but it isn't working with this autostar
> > > suite program by
> > > trying to connect using COM8. I made a loop-back
> > > connector to make
> > > sure. Also it does work using the method I explained
> > > in my previous
> > > post while connected to the same laptop.
> > >
> > > Maybe I will search on some of the other forums to
> > > see what I can find
> > > out or just send Weasner an e-mail. Maybe he can
> > > help.
> > >
> > > What about my other question? The one regarding the
> > > full version of
> > > the autostar suite. Does anyone want to create a zip
> > > file and e-mail
> > > it to me? Or do you know where I can get just the
> > > software?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Mike D. in California
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > ______________________
> > Looking for last minute shopping deals?
> > Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.
> > http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping
> >
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

FWIW, I have found that USB to serial adapters get
assigned different COM port numbers when plugged into
different USB ports.  So as long as you always plug
into the same USB port (PC port or hub port) you will
get the same COM number.  But if you plug into a
different USB port or if you move your USB hub to a
different PC USB port then you will get different COM
port number assignments.

No big deal as long as you understand what is
happening and know how to quickly find the right COM
port assignment to select in the software.

"My advice is always free and worth every penny!"

-Christopher Erickson
Network Design Engineer
5432 E. Northern Lights Blvd., Suite 529
Anchorage, AK  99508
N61° 11.710'  W149° 46.723'
Meade 16" LX200 SCT
www.data-plumber.com

"Monetary contributions to support the
Data-Plumber.com archives are always
welcome via PayPal to cerickson@..."




> -----Original Message-----
> From: MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jerry
> Sent: Saturday, December 22, 2007 4:19 AM
> To: MeadeDS@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [MeadeDS] Autostar 497 and Windows Vista problems.
>
> Mike,
> I had to change the Com port with my cable to Com 6.
> Not sure why but it worked after I did that.
> All of the Meade software, including Autostar suite
> and its updates are available at Meade. If you are
> having trouble finding them there go to the sitemap at
> the top right of the site.
> Jerry in Arizona
>
>
> --- Mike Dorsey <mickeydim468@...> wrote:
>
> > Thanks guys for all of your replies.
> >
> > I have the Radio Shack USB to serial adapter. It is
> > working on my
> > computer, but it isn't working with this autostar
> > suite program by
> > trying to connect using COM8. I made a loop-back
> > connector to make
> > sure. Also it does work using the method I explained
> > in my previous
> > post while connected to the same laptop.
> >
> > Maybe I will search on some of the other forums to
> > see what I can find
> > out or just send Weasner an e-mail. Maybe he can
> > help.
> >
> > What about my other question? The one regarding the
> > full version of
> > the autostar suite. Does anyone want to create a zip
> > file and e-mail
> > it to me? Or do you know where I can get just the
> > software?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Mike D. in California
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> ______________________
> Looking for last minute shopping deals?
> Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.
> http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

Mike,
I had to change the Com port with my cable to Com 6.
Not sure why but it worked after I did that.
All of the Meade software, including Autostar suite
and its updates are available at Meade. If you are
having trouble finding them there go to the sitemap at
the top right of the site.
Jerry in Arizona


--- Mike Dorsey <mickeydim468@...> wrote:

> Thanks guys for all of your replies.
>
> I have the Radio Shack USB to serial adapter. It is
> working on my
> computer, but it isn't working with this autostar
> suite program by
> trying to connect using COM8. I made a loop-back
> connector to make
> sure. Also it does work using the method I explained
> in my previous
> post while connected to the same laptop.
>
> Maybe I will search on some of the other forums to
> see what I can find
> out or just send Weasner an e-mail. Maybe he can
> help.
>
> What about my other question? The one regarding the
> full version of
> the autostar suite. Does anyone want to create a zip
> file and e-mail
> it to me? Or do you know where I can get just the
> software?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mike D. in California
>
>



      
________________________________________________________________________________\
____
Looking for last minute shopping deals?
Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. 
http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping