From: Daniel Fundo 
To: Scott Berfield 
CC: atm{at}shore.net
Reply-To: Daniel Fundo 


<< Theory aside, if I wanted to build one of these beasts (a wire
spider) how much tension is usually used to create a good stable setup?   >>

Scott,  Contrary to popular belief, increased tension does not increase the
stability of the assembly.  As long as the wires don't become slack, you
have enough tension.  I have acorn nuts at the outside; I make them finger
tight, then give a quarter turn with a wrench after that.

As for diffraction: I have made several and the only spikes I see are on
the brightest half-dozen stars and planets, and then only at low powers. 
As someone else noted, you have to keep the wires aligned with each other. 
I have a simple way of achieving that.

*****-----
Dan F.
Secretary/MAS
Memphis, TN

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