Another 150 f5 question...

Discuss your refractor type scopes here.
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DeanD Australia
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Another 150 f5 question...

#1

Post by DeanD »


To all you DYI'ers out there: when I get the new focuser for the scope (as per my previous topic) I was thinking of doing a couple of other things: firstly spray-painting the larger collar that the focuser attaches to (with no spraying it would be blue scope, white collar and black focuser: hmmm), but more importantly I am thinking of (horror) cutting the tube down a bit so that my bino-viewer comes to focus.

Has anyone tried this, and if so are there any nasty surprises I need to be aware of? I am a bit worried about mucking up the collimation by not getting the cut perfectly square...

Again, all comments (including "You are nuts!") gratefully received.

Thanks in advance,

Dean

(PS: actually spray painting the tube might be nice too: I am not fond of the native blue. Gabby's hot orange looked interesting, or maybe ultra-metallic red or... Besides which, everyone knows that the colour of the scope makes all the difference to the views through it! ;) )
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: Another 150 f5 question...

#2

Post by Lady Fraktor »


Painting is the easy part :)
Do you have an idea of how much you would need to cut the tube to make it BV friendly?
A simple wrap around and taking your time with cutting there should be no issues keeping it square.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Another 150 f5 question...

#3

Post by OzEclipse »


DeanD wrote: Sun Nov 10, 2019 4:19 am
Has anyone tried this, and if so are there any nasty surprises I need to be aware of? I am a bit worried about mucking up the collimation by not getting the cut perfectly square...
Clamp the tube securely. Mark the cut accurately. Stand in a balanced position to one side. Hold the saw front vertical and rear handle so that both arms are holding comfortably. Keep the saw vertical. Rock your body back and forth to cut rather than pushing with the arms. Let the saw cut the tube, don't push down, just back and forth and you'll get a nice straight cut.

Before you cut you can also measure and mark the screw holes relative to the original rear end of the tube prior to cutting.

Joe
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Re: Another 150 f5 question...

#4

Post by DeanD »


OzEclipse wrote: Sun Nov 10, 2019 6:09 am
DeanD wrote: Sun Nov 10, 2019 4:19 am
Has anyone tried this, and if so are there any nasty surprises I need to be aware of? I am a bit worried about mucking up the collimation by not getting the cut perfectly square...
Clamp the tube securely. Mark the cut accurately. Stand in a balanced position to one side. Hold the saw front vertical and rear handle so that both arms are holding comfortably. Keep the saw vertical. Rock your body back and forth to cut rather than pushing with the arms. Let the saw cut the tube, don't push down, just back and forth and you'll get a nice straight cut.

Before you cut you can also measure and mark the screw holes relative to the original rear end of the tube prior to cutting.

Joe

Thanks Joe,

I'm good with cutting wood nice and square: but my hacksaw loves going sideways! I think some practice runs might be in order (or a new hacksaw)! ;)

Thanks for the idea re the screw holes: if they are accurate then the actual cut is not quite so critical...
Last edited by DeanD on Sun Nov 10, 2019 6:38 am, edited 4 times in total.
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: Another 150 f5 question...

#5

Post by DeanD »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Sun Nov 10, 2019 5:45 am Painting is the easy part :)
Do you have an idea of how much you would need to cut the tube to make it BV friendly?
A simple wrap around and taking your time with cutting there should be no issues keeping it square.
Thanks Gabby,

I haven't done the measurements yet: waiting to see how long the new focuser is. As for "A simple wrap around and taking your time with cutting there should be no issues keeping it square." - that sounds like famous last words to me! ;)
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: Another 150 f5 question...

#6

Post by Lady Fraktor »


Cutting the tube is quite easy, I use a angle grinder with a zip cut blade. Patience and no rushing :)
The rear baffle may be lost if shortening the tube but probably will not matter very much.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Another 150 f5 question...

#7

Post by Arsene37 »


Hello !
Don't trash the small part of the tube ("à tout hasard" : it may be useful in case you change your mind … )
Enjoy the DIY !
Arsène
Petzval quadruplet 152/760 on iOptron CEM25P — XX12 Orion Skyquest — 5.5" Celestron Comet Catcher (40 years old) — Perl-Vixen 130 mm/720 mm EQ — 8 mmm, 17mm and 31 mm aspheric Hyperion — BST Explorer ED 5 mm — Baader MPCC II — Leica EP 20x-60x — 2x Barlow — TS Optics Binoculars 20x80 Triplet.
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Re: Another 150 f5 question...

#8

Post by DeanD »


The focuser has arrived: and it took about 60 seconds to attach; a very pleasant change! It looks well made (as most GSO things seem to be for their price) and it is around 30mm shorter than the original, so I am crossing my fingers that it might even come to focus with the binoviewer (but I guess that is too much to hope for!). No cutting just yet!!!

Of course we have 100% cloud cover for the foreseeable future, so no checking of focus to infinity tonight...
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: Another 150 f5 question...

#9

Post by notFritzArgelander »


You know Baader has those optical couplers that let you reach focus without tube cutting.... Have you considered those? Just asking...
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
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Re: Another 150 f5 question...

#10

Post by DeanD »


notFritzArgelander wrote: Mon Nov 11, 2019 6:27 am You know Baader has those optical couplers that let you reach focus without tube cutting.... Have you considered those? Just asking...
Thanks for this: but it depends on how far in the focus is. I have various attachments that give me about 35mm in travel compared to the standard. I'll have a play soon and publish my results! :)
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: Another 150 f5 question...

#11

Post by Lady Fraktor »


DeanD wrote: Mon Nov 11, 2019 6:05 am The focuser has arrived: and it took about 60 seconds to attach; a very pleasant change! It looks well made (as most GSO things seem to be for their price) and it is around 30mm shorter than the original, so I am crossing my fingers that it might even come to focus with the binoviewer (but I guess that is too much to hope for!). No cutting just yet!!!

Of course we have 100% cloud cover for the foreseeable future, so no checking of focus to infinity tonight...
Clouds will give you time to verify the new focuser is aligned with the telescope tube :)
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Another 150 f5 question...

#12

Post by Bigzmey »


I thought blue/white/black combo is classy, no? :D
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: Another 150 f5 question...

#13

Post by DeanD »


Yeah, no. ;)
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: Another 150 f5 question...

#14

Post by Lady Fraktor »


BMW Satin Red with gloss black would look good.
BMW-M3-Satin-Red-Chrome-7.jpg
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Another 150 f5 question...

#15

Post by DeanD »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Sun Nov 17, 2019 5:15 pm BMW Satin Red with gloss black would look good.
BMW-M3-Satin-Red-Chrome-7.jpg
Hmmm... that's an idea! I might have to get the car to go with the scope... ;)

(a bit of a move up from my silver Hyundai!)
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: Another 150 f5 question...

#16

Post by Lady Fraktor »


Paint the Hyundai and have them do the tube at the same time :)
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Another 150 f5 question...

#17

Post by DeanD »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Mon Nov 18, 2019 5:16 am Paint the Hyundai and have them do the tube at the same time :)
Now why didn't I think of that... ;)
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: Another 150 f5 question...

#18

Post by DeanD »


Update on the binoviewer: it works with the new focuser! That 35mm shorter length compared with the original focuser makes all the difference: although I have to use a 1 1/4" diagonal. I won't have to worry about cutting the tube now.

The only problem now is that it is difficult to bring the images together if I use the supplied (Williams 20mm WA) eyepieces. It seems fine with a couple of old Meade 26mm plossls. I suspect that stupid undercut on the Williams eyepieces is causing them to tip a bit: I will do some fiddling in the daytime and try to sort it out.

Now for that BMW red paint job...
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: Another 150 f5 question...

#19

Post by Bigzmey »


DeanD wrote: Mon Nov 18, 2019 11:19 am Update on the binoviewer: it works with the new focuser! That 35mm shorter length compared with the original focuser makes all the difference: although I have to use a 1 1/4" diagonal. I won't have to worry about cutting the tube now.

The only problem now is that it is difficult to bring the images together if I use the supplied (Williams 20mm WA) eyepieces. It seems fine with a couple of old Meade 26mm plossls. I suspect that stupid undercut on the Williams eyepieces is causing them to tip a bit: I will do some fiddling in the daytime and try to sort it out.

Now for that BMW red paint job...
I thought the focuser would do the trick. It enabled me to insert a 2" filter wheel in the optical path of my 150ST.
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: Another 150 f5 question...

#20

Post by OzEclipse »


DeanD wrote: Mon Nov 18, 2019 11:19 am Update on the binoviewer: it works with the new focuser! That 35mm shorter length compared with the original focuser makes all the difference: although I have to use a 1 1/4" diagonal. I won't have to worry about cutting the tube now.

The only problem now is that it is difficult to bring the images together if I use the supplied (Williams 20mm WA) eyepieces. It seems fine with a couple of old Meade 26mm plossls. I suspect that stupid undercut on the Williams eyepieces is causing them to tip a bit: I will do some fiddling in the daytime and try to sort it out.

Now for that BMW red paint job...
Dean,
If you measure the difference in diameter of the undercut and attach a piece of shim half that difference thick opposite the lock screw that will straighten it up. You can use an easily removable art gum glue so you can remove it if required.

Joe
Image
Amateur astronomer since 1978...................Web site : http://joe-cali.com/
Scopes: ATM 18" Dob, Vixen VC200L, ATM 6"f7, Stellarvue 102ED, Saxon ED80, WO M70 ED, Orion 102 Maksutov, ST80.
Mounts: Takahashi EM-200, iOptron iEQ45, Push dobsonian with Nexus DSC, three homemade EQ's.
Eyepieces: TV Naglers 31, 17, 12, 7; Denkmeier D21 & D14; Pentax XW10, XW5, Unitron 40mm Kellner, Meade Or 25,12
Cameras : Pentax K1, K5, K01, K10D / VIDEO CAMS : TacosBD, Lihmsec.
Cam/guider/controllers: Lacerta MGEN 3, SW Synguider, Simulation Curriculum SkyFi 3+Sky safari
Memberships Astronomical Association of Queensland; RASNZ Occultations Section; Single Exposure Milky Way Facebook Group (Moderator) (12k members)
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