![](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf6.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/7bca1b1f-026f-4a45-9f1a-d447557c472e_rw_3840.jpg?h=db0f814cf22eacf53cd37a7d23423f05)
FINISHING UP EXTERIOR...
I wasn't sure what kind of entry pad to make, but finally decided on the tried-an-true simple concrete slab. The day of the pour I had a "great idea" of adding stamps to the slab with some astro-related artistry and found a little wooden solar system shape kit on-line. A quick call to a local crafts store confirmed that they had it stock as well so $8 later I was ready to do some stamping. The final result turned out OK... not as nice as I'd hoped for, but I think with some additional Dremel-ing I might make it look nice :)
![Framed and ready for pour](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf1.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/29264d8f-cdfc-49d2-8c1f-b69b3408e516_rw_1920.jpg?h=737165a7573ab76966b4b83b9a106313)
Framed and ready for pour
![Let's hope it works](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf1.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/c8817c7e-e463-4709-bc1c-85006f857ced_rw_3840.jpg?h=75b7f8ab5b6d3364f6322e83fe0c71a6)
Let's hope it works
![It worked... kind of...](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf3.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/eb20078f-73a9-4b84-84b7-55226528ca30_rw_3840.jpg?h=646f05b3e65ad4893ba0660dc3d1c3f6)
It worked... kind of...
FEW INTERIOR DETAILS ...
Picked up a few low power LED shop lights and installed throughout the observatory. Also, ran a 30' of LED strip all around the perimeter. I'm 6'3", and the short 4' walls and ceiling tried taking out a chunk of my scull a few times already. To help with this problem I've installed foam padding all around low-having edges throughout - this foam comes in various diameters and is designed to go around water/gas pipes but it does the trick, especially since it has double-sided tape pre-installed - it's available in 6' lengths.
![Door entryway lights switch and LED controller](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf3.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/49cd8275-f422-42fe-93c3-8b4f70449905_rw_1920.jpg?h=da5508a832108d29abbc4bf7f806bee3)
Door entryway lights switch and LED controller
![One of 4 LED lights inside dome section](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf3.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/4336995e-ebe7-4145-8c3f-576e396aa909_rw_3840.jpg?h=cffc8fa308fd3fffffdfd6b8132b6b3e)
One of 4 LED lights inside dome section
![Skull saver](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf3.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/44403c72-3973-45e8-ab34-c3eb7d907515_rw_1920.jpg?h=c05683622d0665374e6f487eec5d6666)
Skull saver
NETWORK ...
Once an astrophotography session has been fired up, I intend to remote-control it from the comfort of my home office. At first I had planned on expanding my home WiFi network with an addition of an outside antenna, but then a member on CloudyNights.com forum pointed me to Ubiquiti Networks point-to-point wireless solution, which, in short, is like having a direct, hard-wired LAN cable going to an observatory using their NanoStation AC Loco radios. These antennas have a range of over 5 miles, offer bulletproof reliability and security, and provide speeds in excess of 450mbps+. I ran my LAN cable from the in-house router to the top of the roof of my home, and pointed the home antenna towards the receiver antenna mounted on the side of the observatory and viola! I was connected.
![NanoStation AC loco](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf1.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/c11cf021-1472-4568-b877-6131d20844b1_rw_1920.jpg?h=fc3950fa3b6366e289b541ab2b2f6dca)
NanoStation AC loco
![Observatory side](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf3.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/e509ae06-4f7d-427a-b697-3df81109be4c_rw_1920.jpg?h=a58ad33e61b04e3d25122082435bc13c)
Observatory side
![Homebase station side](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf6.myportfolio.com/2bdcb7b6-3542-4ecd-87af-1d06cbe21c46/a5547c82-7df9-4c53-90bc-7e023e430550_rw_1920.jpg?h=4b3270c5a60238479e15ea094da04eb0)