Thanks for the kind words
dave, i'm signed on for astro azimuth training this november at corbin,VA NGS training center. have you ever been there?
Thanks for the kind words
Yes, I've been to Corbin (a couple of times). Very neat place. I may have to look into this training session you mention.
There is nothing that holds the instrument to the tripod other than gravity. The instrument when set up weighs about 100 pounds. The feet set in some grooves in the recessed area so the instrument can't move once it's in place and the geometry means it always ends up in the same place.
Several years ago I was staking out a golf course and there were some beautiful oak trees that had to come down. So I got permission to cut some trees, borrowed a roll back tow truck, and took a couple of loads to the saw mill. Lots of projects since that time and plenty of stock for more to come.
Both tripods, original and new, seem light for using that instrument. But, strong enough if you are careful. Would they have used an instrument like this on a Bilby tower? I can't remember, was a regular tripod carried up and set up on a Bilby?
For serious work a T-4 would be used on a solid pillar. The tripods are generally for training & demonstration. Don't know if they ever carried one up a Bilby Tower or not - but I doubt it. But I also think that on a Bilby Tower a tripod is not used. I think there is a mounting surface on the inner tower for the instrument.
