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My 6000th Post

Started by Preston Smith , Oct 18 2013 10:24 PM
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25 replies to this topic

#1 Preston Smith

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Posted 18 October 2013 - 10:24 PM

My 6000th post. Wow, I remember when I hit my first hundred.

I just want to say how grateful and indebted I am to Cloudy Night's past and present owners, moderators and administrators.

And to the many who have taken the time and effort to capture important technical and historical information on so many scopes and repair processes.

I have learned so, so much and have been able to restore many scopes because of CN and it's wonderful members.

Too many names to mention but all great people behind the names and quite a few laughs and smiles along the way. Some are now gone from here but are looking back at me through the other end of the telescope as I observe at night.

I'm not posting as much as I used to but am once again restoring scopes. A lot of the wounded keep showing up at local events and I can't say no if there is a strong possibility that the scope can be returned to duty. Sadly, it's getting harder to find young adults who are looking for a good telescope. But they are still out there! So I fix up the scopes.

Looking forward to learning more and passing on my experiences.

Thanks Everyone! :bow:

#2 JonH

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Posted 19 October 2013 - 12:58 AM

Preston I think we are the ones who should be thanking you. The story of your 4' unitron and its personal history is nothing short of inspirational and certainly played a big part in my own interest in Unitrons. Not to mention the many occasions that you have offered invaluable advice on scope restoration.

Good on you mate.

#3 clintwhitman

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Posted 19 October 2013 - 03:12 AM

Kudos Preston! We have been friends for a good long while and seen some great telescopes so far. Cant wait to see what pops up next. Thanks for the posts, calls and good times. But most of all for the 26mm smooth sided plossels " My Favorite in the Pearl" After looking thru these at the moon enyone will be left speechless!
And for having Barry Griner call me at home, Made a good friend that day!! 602 to go and I will be there to!!
Caveman..

#4 bob midiri

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Posted 19 October 2013 - 03:15 AM

Wow congrats Pres!!!Ive enjoyed so many of your posts and benefited from your knowledge over the years!! 12,000 is just around the corner!! bob

#5 Wisconsin Steve

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Posted 19 October 2013 - 06:11 AM

Thanks a million for all you have done as well! My very first Unitron, a nicely restored 114, I purchased from you. And yes, the new budding young astronomers are still out there as this pic shows.

Steve

Attached Thumbnails

  • 6146128-H&O low res.jpg

#6 Terra Nova

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Posted 19 October 2013 - 10:53 AM

Preston, :waytogo:

:band:

#7 Bill Griffith

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Posted 19 October 2013 - 11:34 AM

Preston,

You are a mavin and cornerstone to this forum! :bow: :bow:

Thanks
Bill

#8 Scott in NC

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Posted 19 October 2013 - 11:42 AM

Congrats, Preston, and thank you for all of your valuable contributions to CN over the years! You've been a real asset to this forum. :applause: :bow: :waytogo:

#9 tim53

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Posted 19 October 2013 - 11:45 AM

...until your very next post! :grin:

#10 Preston Smith

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Posted 19 October 2013 - 04:37 PM

Thanks everyone for the kind words, even Tim! :lol:

Yeah, I guess I sold quite a few scopes to CN members. It's always a ton of fun watching and helping a new member become addic... er, interested in buying vintage scopes. :whistle:

#11 fjs

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Posted 19 October 2013 - 04:53 PM

Hmmm, 6001 posts now. Thought you might retire. Now, you'll have to stay around for at least another 999. :)

But, congratulations, or, 'thanks' is a better word. People like you make this forum a great place to be.

#12 Happy-Idiot

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Posted 19 October 2013 - 05:15 PM

Preston happy nerd-day! Look at the top of the second page of this post. LINK

#13 tim53

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Posted 19 October 2013 - 06:08 PM

Speaking of interesting numbers. Many moons ago, while I was driving my 1967 VW bus to the San Joaquin Valley, I was on the Grapevine approaching the summit of Tejon Pass, and saw the sign that said "Summit 4144ft". At the same instant, my odometer turned over 04144 miles. Now, that bus had been around the clock once so it was really 104144 miles, but they didn't believe anybody would need the 6th digit in those days.

I thought it was so neat that I haven't forgotten that in 30 years.

-Tim.

#14 tim53

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Posted 19 October 2013 - 06:11 PM

Actually, now that I think about it, that bus had probably been around the clock a second time by then, as I'd been driving it for 8 years by then and it had over 90K on it when I bought it. When I sold it in 1994, it had over 400,000 miles on it. Wish I'd kept it.

Haven't read the elevation on my odometers since.

-Tim.

#15 Preston Smith

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Posted 19 October 2013 - 06:18 PM

Preston happy nerd-day! Look at the top of the second page of this post. LINK


Hi Brian! Hey, can you repost the link? It doesn't seem to be working.

#16 Preston Smith

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Posted 19 October 2013 - 06:21 PM

Speaking of interesting numbers. Many moons ago, while I was driving my 1967 VW bus to the San Joaquin Valley, I was on the Grapevine approaching the summit of Tejon Pass, and saw the sign that said "Summit 4144ft". At the same instant, my odometer turned over 04144 miles. Now, that bus had been around the clock once so it was really 104144 miles, but they didn't believe anybody would need the 6th digit in those days.

I thought it was so neat that I haven't forgotten that in 30 years.

-Tim.


Great story Tim! You better get those fingers humming so you can comment on it again when you hit your 104144 post! :gramps:

#17 tim53

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Posted 19 October 2013 - 06:35 PM

I already look like that, so it's not likely to happen!

-Tim.

#18 Bomber Bob

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Posted 20 October 2013 - 01:54 PM

Congratulations, Preston! You are a gentleman and a scholar - and an inspiration to all of us Old Scope Nuts!

#19 dgreyson

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Posted 20 October 2013 - 02:44 PM

You obviously have something worth saying. Congrats.

#20 akman1955

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Posted 20 October 2013 - 05:09 PM

:)HEY Preston, THANKS for everything friend:) "keep on scopin" :applause: :jump:

#21 GeneT

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Posted 20 October 2013 - 05:09 PM

Congratulations!

#22 wfj

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Posted 20 October 2013 - 07:00 PM

Here's to 6,000 more!

And we need to hear more travel scope ideas - that area still isn't done enough guy! :)

#23 wfj

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Posted 30 October 2013 - 01:56 PM

By the way, I've gotten my first 1,000 here. Any difference felt between now and 5,000 earlier?

#24 SATMAN

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Posted 30 October 2013 - 02:03 PM

Congrats Preston,
been off the site for a while dealing with the after effects of Super Storm Sandy. hopefully soon things will get back to normal.

#25 bremms

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Posted 30 October 2013 - 02:09 PM

Congrats Preston. Lots of fun stuff here. I enjoy reading and posting.
Love your VW bus stories Tim.
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