Still Alive and Well

January 6th, 2014

Hi everybody.  I still haven't quite caught on concerning just what I'm suppose to do with this blog, but I'm learning.

I suppose people with sites are expected to be experts on web things, but I'm an engineer (electrical, or electronics, depending on how old your university is), not a web denizen.

I design hardware, sometimes controlled by firmware, or even software.  I don't work on web things.

I've started the site to help with free electronics tutorials anyone who is interested in learning engineering and some science.  All engineers have to study from many of the physical sciences before they can focus on their major.

Myself, I took many extra courses (usually physics) because of my strong interest.

Engineering itself is APPLIED physics, as opposed to research physics.  When a physicist needs to run a special experiment, he or she (and I've worked with some very wonderful women physicists), call an engineer to design and build the equipment to their specs to run the experiment.

I even helped design and build some equipment that went to the ocean bottom (about 20,000 feet down) that is used to detect muon and neutrinos from deep space.  The depth filters out our solar neutrinos.  I know.  "Neutrinos" sounds like an Italian breakfast cereal.

Well, I have been overcome by events here, the passing away of my father being one of them, but I am ready to get back to the site, and hopefully this blog, by June of this year.

I do have some projects (meaning money making ones) to finish, but I have some personal projects that I will share with you here on the blog.

I'm designing a forge and will build a spin casting system to make a telescope mirror.
Astronomy has always been a strong interest of mine.

My plan is to make a mirror about 48" in diameter.  I'll probably just try to make something out of resin first to test it out. No need to silver that one.

I'll let you know when I get started and if I can figure out how to include photos and video I will.  I may have to ask my neighbor's 10-year-old daughter how to do that.  :-)

I'll get back later, and try to set a fixed schedule to providing for this blog.

Talk to you later,
Michael

Hi,

Just a quick note.

Please be patient with my ignorance of blogging!!

I saw below that I received a comment from Radha in India on a previous post. I didn't even know I COULD receive comments or questions.

I wanted to reply, but can't find the means to do so.

If anyone knows how I might do this, please leave a comment for me and then I can answer questions, make friends, etc. :-)

Radha, I'm sorry. I just now saw your comment, but my last blog entry should explain the delay in getting my site further fleshed out. I still don't quite have all my father's estate settled yet, but when I get back to the site, I'll probably finish up the basic components section then move on to what it seems that people are looking at when they visit (if I can do this)

I see you are a "Slave of Physics" hmmm. Well, I guess a proper slave will give a good reaction for every action :-) :-)

My main interest is physics as well, but since engineering is applied physics this means that while I learned the same as the physics majors, I also learned how to do something with the knowledge in making my ideas take physical form.

I'm thinking of making a 1 meter telescope using the spin casting method for the mirror. I already have plans for the casting machine. Just working out the controller mechanisms to get the right spin speed which is related to the focal length of the mirror.

Well, I hope you haven't given up and gone away. Please let me know if you visit again.

The same goes for anyone...if I can only figure out how to reply :-)

Hope to hear from you soon,

Michael
http://www.michaels-electronics-lessons.com/

Hi,
I guess it's been about a year since I posted last!

I'm sorry. My father (age 93) suffered some serious health issues and was hospitalized since last September. I would spend between 10 to 24 hrs per day (when he was in a place that allowed me to stay overnight), 7 days a week.

Everything got put on hold, including my work and my own health. He put up a valiant effort but passed away about 2 weeks ago. Needless to say, I've had my hands full settling his affairs, but hope to get back to the web page in the next few weeks. I appreciate your patience.

I'll also have to let my clients know that I'm about ready to re-enter the work force. I've probably lost a few, but not a problem as there are always more.

I see I have "members" I have no idea what that means or how you "join" a blog/web site...but welcome! If I knew how to get in touch with you, I'd drop you a line.

Perhaps I can ask my neighbor's 14-year-old daughter. She knows all about this blogging stuff. Pretty embarassing !! Now I know how my Mom and Dad felt when I talked about the things that were new when I was 14. :-)

Well, anyway, welcome friends and I hope I can post things that will be not only helpful to you, but enjoyable as well.

Till next time, and I promise it won't be a year.

Michael

Hi,
Sorry it's taking so long. I'm new at blogging as well as web sites...but not engineering :-)

I've had a rather large (paid) project that just ate up all my time. The dust is starting to settle a little and I hope I can get back to posting projects and lessons soon.

My service says I can have incoming email, and as soon as I figure it out, I'll add it to the site so you can tell me what kind of projects or lessons interest you the most. Same goes for the newsletter. They show how to get subscribers, but I haven't found how to SEND it out to the subscribers!!!

Please be patient..
Best regards,
Michael

Hi,

My first blog for the site. This is a test page to see if it works.

The blog on the actual site doesn't give me what I want, so I will make this separate one for updates and news of upcoming projects.

Here's the main site so you can see what else is there:

http//www.michaels-electronics-lessons.com

Please be patient and check back often.

Best regards,
Michael