The Ramblings of Fraser plus a BIG Thank you :) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2020, 05:00:45 pm
content: I would like to tell you a storyRegular readers of the thermal imaging sub-forum will know that I am a collector and repairer of all things thermal imaging related and I do so as a hobby in my early retirement. I get pleasure from taking faulty thermal cameras and restoring them to operating condition as it is often a 'voyage of discovery' from which I can learn about the technology and designs. I have received much help and guidance over the years from those with more knowledge of thermal camera design than me and I am very grateful to them all.Bill-Whas been especially generous with his time and has shared some of his vast knowledge with me (within the limits of the various NDA's he is under). I have learnt much through working on faulty thermal cameras and the study of various texts, from both public domain and privileged sources.I often see questions on the forum that I can answer and so I help where able. I am limited in some of what I can say by privileged sources and corporate confidentiality agreements so tread a careful path. Some questions can be answered by research on line or in public texts, in those cases I will sometimes direct the person to use these as they will learn so much more than if I just provide a précis answer. It occurs to me sometimes that the art of document research and study of educational texts is dying in favour of the quick Google Search and instant answers. Sadly Google searches, though great, do not always provide the learning experience of studying a topic through document research and texts. If I have one word of advice to the young, it is to not rely on Google 100% and do not abandon document and book research.Over the years I have helped many on this forum and I have received help from others. I am always appreciative of any help offered but sometimes people go the 'extra mile' to assist me in my hobby. Those people are kindred spirits and I thank them for their kindness and generosity.I once asked on the forum if anyone had any scrap/faulty thermal cameras that they wanted to re-home as I was hoping for some more 'patients' to work on but finances are tight in my early retirement. It was a long shot but I know some thermal camera manufacturers and agents are represented on this forum so it was worth asking. I received no offers of new 'patients' to play with but that was no great surprise really. I have been the beneficiary of human kindness and great generosity on occasions howeverI have already highlighted how forum members have been generous with their knowledge and I consider that of great value to me. I have also received hardware from those who deemed me a suitably deserving recipient. Today was such a day !A week or so ago a fellow forum member asked for some help with his thermal camera project and I provided what help I could to assist him. In some pictures that he provided of his workbench, I spotted a dismantled FLIR HM324 in the background and it triggered my curiosity (I was likely a cat in a previous life!). I enquired as to the story behind the HM series camera and learned that it was a past project and was no longer needed. I was shocked and grateful when this person, who does not know me, offered the HM324 for the cost of postage ! Such generosity is rare indeed. It will come as no surprise that I confirmed that I would like to give that camera a homeThere is a little back story to my desire to obtain this dismantled HM series camera..... a year or two ago, I was contacted by a fellow forum member who I had helped with his HS324 in the past, he said that it had sadly succumbed to a fault again and this time he had decided to replace it. Would I like the faulty unit to play with ? he asked ! Would I ever ! He kindly sent that HS324 to me for absolutely no cost ! I was humbled by this persons generosity but he said that it was just thanks for helping him in the past. Good Karma at work maybe ? The HS324 arrived and has been awaiting my attention since as I have not been too well. I am now back to fully operational status so will be working on thermal cameras againThe latest gift of the HM324 could not have come at a better time and I hope to be able to use it to repair the HS324So this is a shout-out to'Denis1573'to sayTHANK YOU!for your kindness and generosity. It is very much appreciatedThis week was a bit of an emotional roller coaster for me..... I sold one of my FLIR Exx series thermal cameras ! I never thought I would see the day as I get quite attached to my collection ! I had two E40 cameras so thought it was time to re-home one of them as I do not use it. I am pleased to say that the camera found a good home with a fellow forum member and I hope that it serves him well for years to come. The model was the E40bx and on Monday I had the 'fun' of delving into its configuration to unlock its full E60+ potentialAll went well but it took me a while as I was being very careful to get it right. Once upgraded, that camera produced a lovely picture and I felt myself getting too attached to it again ! Thankfully common sense prevailed and I packed the camera in its hard case for pickup by UPS the next day. It is currently winging its way to its new home. The upgradable E4, E30 and E40 cameras are such a 'gift' to those of us who cannot normally afford the QVGA versions of the camerasWell I have rambled on long enough here. I may ramble some more about something else in this thread in the future but I thought it right to publicly thank those who have helped me with knowledge and hardware over the years.I hope everyone on this forum has a Happy and Safe ChristmasFraser

author: Narkoa
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 16, 2020, 07:36:30 pm
content: I love the way you tell stories.Thank you for so much sharing.

author: dennis1573
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2020, 08:18:25 pm
content: Hi Fraser,you're welcome, im glad it arrived safely. :-)This was the first package i have sent (ever), it wasnt as complicated as i thought XDthe HM324 Mainboard was to badly damaged in my opinion, it would have taken to much time and effort to repair it. There were even voltage regulators missing completely, the previous owner already tried to "repair" it...Luckily the Tau core inside was undamaged.I just couldnt throw the HM324 parts away, these are still genuine Flir parts. So they were sitting on my Desk for almost a year... im glad someone can still make use of them

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2020, 08:33:11 pm
content: Thank you for being our reminder of how important human kindness is, both by example and by sharing stories of others goodwill.I wish you Happy and safe Christmas too!!Sinisa

author: richnormand
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 16, 2020, 09:47:26 pm
content: Happy and Safe Christmasindeed Fraser.Your contributions here are most appreciated.Relax, enjoy retirement but don't forget to take the weekends off.Lets also forget this annus horribilis and look forward.