RASC High Park Chapter meeting

Immediately after repairing my car, I headed over to John's. I had booked an RASC Toronto Centre Loan Program telescope, specifically the 8" Dobsonian (to test and try with emphasis on the setup and breakdown time). I didn't recognise the little white car in the middle of the driveway as I backed in.

John greeted me on the front lawn. He said Terry was here. And Karsten was due any moment. He chuckled that it was like we were having our own RASC meeting! We joked about coups, mutinous campaigns while Ralph was in China, who would be the new president, how we might embrace splinter groups, etc. What a hoot. I think I made John cry.

First things first: we packed the Dobsonian into my car. I just assumed I'd have to put the long tube in the back seat but John suggested we try the trunk of my car. Holy cow! It fit! That's very interesting. I cannot get my shorty tube 8" SCT into the car boot while in its oversized train trunk case... Wow.

I hadn't really considered this but another feature I should consider as I evaluate different telescopes is how easy it can fit in my car.

John explained Terry was here for technical support. The focuser on his 8" Dob was acting up. In fact, it had been since the DDO Members Night. He apologised for being distracted then. He went on to say that the focuser was slipping. It would just turn and unfocus by itself. On the front veranda, we started to take a look.

John remarked that he couldn't see teeth on the focuser tube, when fully extended. I suggested they might still be hidden within the frame shell. I wondered if there was a tensioning adjustment. John took off for tools. Terry offered up his LED flashlight and I looked from inside the OTA. "Hey," I exclaimed, "There are no teeth." We realised that the focuser simply used friction. "Well, that's it then: it must have a tensioner adjustment." Just as Terry produced an Allan key set, I spotted the Allan adjustment at the bottom of the focuser. No need to take the plate off. I found the proper key on the second try and gently turned the grub screw. It was loose. With just an 1/8th of a turn, we had fixed the problem. Terry was relieved. That was easy!

As I completed the waiver, John revealed that we have other 'scopes not listed in the Loan Program. Perhaps I will be allowed to try these too.

Just as I was leaving, Karsten walked up the driveway.