12" F5 for Leon -- Continued 2....

Leon's 12" F5 rocker box taking shape.

Mirror Box and Intermediate Ring for the ETT
(Easy Transport Telescope).

Here the Optical Tube Assembly (OTA) is assembled.
The overall length of the struts is 53 3/4".

Leon's 12" Telescope Continued . . .

6-point mirror cell is affixed to the primary with silicone.

The "mirror board" (L) and upper ring are completed. The spider is
a 3-vane curved-vane Destiny. The focuser a 2-speed Moonlite.

Leon's 12" -- Rocker Box, etc.....

Here, the rocker box sides and altitude bearings start to take shape.
Once completed, the rocker box sides will be considerably shorter in height.

12" Complete Kit for Leon in Lebanon, Pennsylvania . .

OTA rings for Leon's 12" kit. This kit will be complete -- mirror,
focuser, spider and focuser. Here the OTA rings are taking shape.

OK, not TELESCOPE related -- but. . .

An amateur radio exhibit set up "yours truly" at our local library.

Radios from the '50s. WRL Globe Scount (L) and Hallicrafters SX-99 (R).

An old National receiver, telegraph keys, microphones and low-power transceivers.

Equatorial Platform for Brian in Temple Terrace, Florida . . .

Equatorial Platform Completed

The "drive" system of the equatorial platform. The all Baltic birch
furniture grade plywood is stained Ebony and finished with 5 coats
of Satin varnish.

All assembled and ready to use.

Underside of the top platform.

Beltran and his 16" Lightbridge....

"Hi Dennis,  The kit finally made it to Costa Rica!, this past weekend I assembled it and took it out under the stars for the first time, i'ts great really light weight!, I did found that even with the break as tight as it gets when I use my heaviest eyepiece (Nagler 31) it get's out of balance and won't hold position, so I figure it needs some counterweights, but it's a great rocker box and it was a blast using it! thank you so much, I'm sending you some pics from the first light, lovely place right by the beach. Best,  Beltran"

An Equatorial Platform Upgrade . . .

I don't actually build equatorial platforms, but Brian in Temple Terrace
Florida asked me to rework one for him.

Pictured is the bottom "drive" assembly.

All of the wood components have been replaced with furniture grade
Baltic birch. Much of the hardware was updated as well.

16" Lightbridge Rocker Box Complete . . .

A 16" Lightbridge Rocker Box Upgrade completed for
John in Angleton, Texas. Note the "break" on the side
as an aide when using heavier eyepieces.