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Hello, my name is John Upton.  I am an electrical engineer in my mid 50s living in central Texas, USA.  I am employed by a major computer design and manufacturing company.  My job title is Senior Engineer / Scientist Manager and I am involved in the development of computer systems ranging from $10,000 workstations to $1,000,000 commercial servers.  My formal educational background is in science and engineering.  I hold Bachelors Degrees in both Physics and Electrical Engineering from Lamar University in southeast Texas.  I am an inventor with seven patents in the areas of computer architecture and design with eight additional patent applications pending issuance by the patent office.

I first became interested in science in general and astronomy specifically when I received the book The World We Live In (a Time/Life book published by Golden Press) as a birthday present when I was 8.  I looked at and read this book cover to cover countless times over the next 10 years.  (I still have that book and it shows the use it got back then.)  I found the chapter "The Starry Universe" captivating.  This book and my demonstrated continuing interest in astronomy led to my receiving a 60mm Gilbert 80x reflecting telescope for Christmas when I was 11.  With my first look at the moon and a few double stars, I was hooked on astronomy for life.

By the time I reached high school, I was longing for a larger telescope.  (This I now know is an affliction well known to all amateur astronomers.)  One of the many astronomy books in the local public library was Neale Howard's Standard Handbook For Telescope Making.  This book is what originally kindled my interest in ATM activities, though it would be years before I could follow up on that desire.  Interestingly, the library also had copies of the original ATM series of books, but they never managed to capture my interest.  I now value that series for its background and historical information, but I still heartily recommend Howard as the best practical guide to the beginner.

My second telescope was a Criterion RV-6 6" equatorial Newtonian.  I purchased this scope during my senior year of high school.  I had worked for my grandfather remodeling houses all summer that year to earn the money.  I wish I still had that scope, but I sold it years later while going to college for my second degree.

While in college, I made my first telescope mirror -- a quite bad 6".  It suffered from severe turned down edge.  After masking the outer 1/2", it made a very serviceable scope, though, and was donated to my old high school.  I soon after made two 8" mirrors which were much better.  These initial mirrors were all aluminized using the high vacuum equipment of the Physics department at the university.  That in itself was a lot of fun.

My third 8" mirror came out quite good.  Several folks have tested it via Foucault and Gaviola tests and it always comes in about 1/15 wave on the surface.  The mirror is very smooth with no discernible zones or roughness.  It deserves a good home.  I currently use it only very sporadically in an original-style Richard Berry inspired Dobsonian mount.  It is currently uncoated, so I use it only for the very occasional solar eclipse observation.  Someday I'll have to get around to making a decent mounting for that mirror.

I currently use one of two commercial scopes for routine observation and public star parties.  When observing from home, I use an older Meade 10" LX-3 SCT that I keep set up in the garage for quick trips to the driveway for observing.  For public star parties, I use my Meade 7" Maksutov-Cassagrain.

• Astronomy:
  I am very active in amateur astronomy through my local club -- the Williamson County Astronomy Club.  We hold monthly meetings, twice monthly star parties and participate with a local university in holding monthly public star parties.  In addition, we enjoy holding star parties for local schools, youth groups, and clubs as part of our effort to bring astronomy to the public, especially young people.
   
• Telescope Making:
  As my Web sites attest, I am obsessed with ATM activities.  I freely admit it -- I am oriented more toward equipment than observing.  I have always found a great fascination in being able to make a precision instrument using only crude methods and simple tools.  Of course, I now use more complex tools and techniques, but the fascination is always there.
   
• Metalworking:
  I grew up in a time when trades were still taught in our public school systems.  When faced with the choice in middle school, I preferred metal shop class to wood shop.  It seems to still be that way.  I enjoy working with metal and admiring the gleaming precision parts that result.  I currently work primarily on telescope-related parts but may someday build something like a model steam engine or locomotive.
   
• Woodworking:
  Since I have never worked with wood to the extent that I have metal, woodworking doesn't come as easily to me.  I do make occasional projects that require woodworking skills, so I am learning.  I can see why many folks can be drawn deeply into this hobby.  It offers the same sort of satisfaction in the end as metalworking.  This is an area in which I still have a great deal to learn.
   
• Embedded Computer Applications:
  I had just finished my first degree in college when the microprocessor revolution started.  Since I already had an interest in electronics and mainframe computer programming, this new small computer immediately caught my eye.  During my work toward my second degree, I tried to specialize in microcomputer and minicomputer application.  I now use low end development systems for both the 8051 and MicroChip RISC architecture components at home.  I am always looking for a chance to toss a microcontroller into a project.  It's often overkill, but adds to my enjoyment of the hobby.
   
• Computer Programming:
  I like writing computer programs.  Whenever I have some spare time, I will work on one or more ongoing tools development projects related to my other hobbies.
   
• Electronic Design:
  I have been interested in electronics since I was quite young.  I still play around with circuits, but now most of that is in concert with an embedded  microcomputer project.  At some point in the future I may become involved in CCD astrophotography.  I think it would be fun to home brew a CCD camera from scratch.
   
  Some of my other varied interests are:
   
• Photography:
  In college, I became a very avid 35mm photographer.  I was also very deeply involved in darkroom techniques.  I soon learned that much of the artistry of photography is in the presentation and great presentation comes from hard work in the darkroom.  Like many things I get involved in, the technical aspects of the hobby got me hooked.  This is one hobby that I have more or less let dwindle over the years.  I no longer dabble with chemicals.  Though I still have and use my Canon F1 camera, most of my photographic enjoyment now comes in the form of snapshots taken with a digital camera and loaded into my computer.  I do occasionally still play with "electronic darkroom" processes before printing out my snapshots.
   
• Numismatics:
  I first became interested in coin collecting when I was about 9.  While I never turned into an "investment collector," I still enjoy adding the most recent dates to my collections of current coinage.  The beauty of America's turn-of-the-century coinage is something I still marvel at.
   
• Reading Science Fiction:
  I don't allow myself much time for recreational reading anymore, but do enjoy mild science fiction from time to time.  Two of my favorite authors are Ray Bradbury and Michael Crichton.  One of the first science fiction books I read and still high on my list of favorites is Andromeda Breakthrough by Fred Hoyle.  (Yes this is the same Fred Hoyle who is well known to most astronomers.)
   
• Hiking:
  I have always enjoyed the great outdoors -- both day and night.  There are many hiking trails to be found in central Texas.  These are perfect for getting away from it all, if even only for a couple of hours.
   
  

Well, that is probably much more about me than you ever wanted to know.  Thank you for visiting my Web page.  I hope you found the time here useful and enjoyable.  Please feel free to email me with comments or suggestions for improving any of my Web sites.

http://www.atm-workshop.net/