From: Daniel Fundo 
To: gfbranden{at}earthlink.net
CC: atm{at}shore.net
Reply-To: Daniel Fundo 


My apologies, Guy!  I lost track of who said what.

From my perspective, anyone who spends the time to make the outside
beautiful probably has better than decent optics to support.  Most folks
don't want to see all the plumbing and wiring in their house, so it's
hidden in the walls (unless you're a big proponent of the
"bowelism" school of design!).

I agree that some level of testing should be done, even if it is purely
non-celestial.  Diffraction charts, yes; 3 axis accelerometers,  I don't
know.  Detroit seems to build cars that have gas mileage figures that I
can't match, even though I know some of their tricks.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."  Tom's instruments, as
seen on his website from time to time, are beautiful in their simplicity,
if a bit inelegant.  Since I do have a workshop handy, I do have a hobby
other than astronomy, I do have many nights when I can't observe, I choose
to make eye-candy instruments.  BUT the worst of them only had a 1/16 wave
primary....not to worry......I'm reworking it to make it better! 

I wish I had Tom's enthusiasm for this sport.  I did when I was younger,
but then life happened.  I have a beautiful wife, two boys and a
granddaughter to distract me......not to count all the other interests. If
desired, I can shut up and go away.  I can be ignored at will....one of my
last employer's was good at that, so I won't be offended, again. Any and
all advice on this list is free to take and use or discard.  My only
interest is to assist in promoting ATMing wherever I can.  I've been at it
for 45 years, and astronomy 2 years before that.  Maybe I know
something??????

We now return you to your reg'lar programing.

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

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