BBKA matchsticks for basics?

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Get a wet & dry thermometer that has bee calibrated to the NPL standard + the Psychrometric charts ( calibrated at sea level barometric pressure 101.325 kPa) you may need to adjust for your altitude.
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Or move to Newlyn

 

[pargyle]

I'm with RAB 100%.

I'd like a painting with matchstick men to hang in our hall.. It would contrast with the Matisse and the Turners.

And another vote for RAB ... my Long Deep Hive was developed for all the reasons RAB puts forward .. I'd done a huge amount of reading including Warre's book before I built it and even with the most elementary schoolboy science the conclusion that sheltered ventilation below the hive, NO top ventilation and as much insulation as can be practically provided was the way to go.

Whilst I came to that conclusion independently it was very reassuring when I finally found this forum and realised that a large number of people on here were ahead of me. Then I read Bill Bielby's book ... a 1972 publication ....and he put it in a nutshell .... Page 44

"For most economical wintering, hives should be highly insulated and completely draughtproof"

Lots of other interesting information in this little book from a very thoughtful and innovative beekeeper - the text is on the link below or splash out £2.90 on Amazon for a used copy.

https://archive.org/stream/Home_Honey_Production/Home_Honey_Production_djvu.txt

My Paynes poly hives get the same treatment with their mesh floor sheltered with a 'skirt' at the top of the stand and an inspection tray (about 65mm below the mesh floor) permanently in .. so there is just draught free ventilation from below. Obviously the tray is cleaned regularly so no fear of wax moth getting a hold there.

So, as usually is the case ... Bang on the money RAB. It's a no brainer !

 

[Tremyfro]

Get a wet & dry thermometer that has bee calibrated to the NPL standard + the Psychrometric charts ( calibrated at sea level barometric pressure 101.325 kPa) you may need to adjust for your altitude.
you will also need a calibrated mercury in glass thermometer.
Then you can calibrate your digital RH METER and Thermometer.

Do not waste money on the cheap £1-50p ones on eBay.. search out digital RH meters.. cost around £25 to £100 for anything like accurate digital thermometers a little cheaper.

I use a quilt made from alpacca wool that has been felted, works as a condensor... in fact similar to the preWW2 ones used universally on WBC's hives.

As you see I did not waste my time looking out of the window in Science..... now how about an acoustic flask for very accurate measurements of heat!

Yeghes da

Unfortunately funds don't run to expensive gadgets....however as it isn't a scientific research project funded by FERA and is only for my interest...I am happy with the slightly inaccurate digital ones I have purchased. My under the roof insulation is felted sheepwool...not to be compared with your alpaca wool of course...total envy! There are some alpacas living in the fields next to ours....I wish they were self shedding. I got the digital ones as I can use a probe...I don't want to be disturbing the bees by lifting the roof all the time.
I didn't totally waste my time at school...my chemistry teacher was abysmal and often inaccurate....stank of cigarettes......it was easier to read the books....to mug up for exams....physics and biology however were made fascinating by enthusiastic teachers.
Now, however, I can please myself about what I want to learn and investigate.

 

[For want of a better word]

But you are doing Science!
Get one of these as relatively more accurate than the cheap LCD ones with probes.

eBay item number:
331283982732


Yeghes da

 

[Tremyfro]

But you are doing Science!

Yeghes da

I have spent my life doing science! A levels, degrees, lifelong learning, continuous training.....exams, tests etc
What I meant was that accuracy isn't paramount...since it is only for me...a guideline if you like. If it was for a research project...accuracy would be requisite....but then I would expect to be paid for my time and effort.
It's a lot more fun this way. I know I could probably get the information from someone's research.....but then it wouldn't be my bees ...on my hilltop.

 

[For want of a better word]

I have spent my life doing science! A levels, degrees, lifelong learning, continuous training.....exams, tests etc
What I meant was that accuracy isn't paramount...since it is only for me...a guideline if you like. If it was for a research project...accuracy would be requisite....but then I would expect to be paid for my time and effort.
It's a lot more fun this way. I know I could probably get the information from someone's research.....but then it wouldn't be my bees ...on my hilltop.

Doing science is not reading about it or passing exams... that is research...

Doing science is hands on measurement ( as accurate and reproduceable as funds allow) and reporting your results.

Wish the rain would stop... We have 20 virgin queens in the incubator... desperate to get out and mate!!!

This forum is a great facility to see what others are doing in a science way... even if they do not realise it!!!

I do science!

Yeghes da

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

This forum is a great facility to see what others are doing in a science way...

Yeghes da

although nowadays using monkeys for research isn't socially acceptable

 

[B+.]

If you search the forum for Yates, you'll discover that the Yates's are considered a bit opinionated and quirky, not 100% factually accurate or up-to-date

Its interesting that APHA have just announced their own eLearning platform:


The NBU would like to announce that its eLearning programme for beekeepers is now live and ready for use. The first module ‘Honey Bee Pests, Diseases and Viruses’ covers six main topics; Exotic Threats, Foulbrood, Varroa, Adult Bee Diseases and Viruses, Other Brood Disorders and Other Pests. To access this free and exciting platform, you will need to log into BeeBase where you will find an eLearning link to the left hand side of the navigation panel. When clicking on this, you will be re-directed to the eLearning platform where you can access the content. Like all of our material, the aim of the module is to provide you with a good understanding of the issues that might affect colony health. It will be available on most mobile devices and tablets, although you will need to make sure that your web browser is up to date, otherwise you may experience compatibility issues with some of the content.

We would encourage all beekeepers to use this tool to aid their own personal development and as always, would welcome any feedback on the platform.

 

[user 6228]

although nowadays using monkeys for research isn't socially acceptable

Eek eek !

 

[BeeJayBee]

My under the roof insulation is felted sheepwool

I wonder if that's what they were using in 1930s, shown in the videos uploaded by Barnet Beekeepers? https://www.youtube.com/user/BarnetBeekeepers/videos

 

[Tremyfro]

It certainly looks like a wooden pad. My wool insulation is from a roll of sheepswool roof insulation. It is a bit felted but fairly loose and very thick. When it puffs up it is 3-4 inches thick. I have used it in the walls and under the roof of the Beehaus.

 

[MuswellMetro]

Eek eek !

shut up Derick and eat your Banana

 

[MuswellMetro]

I wonder if that's what they were using in 1930s, shown in the videos uploaded by Barnet Beekeepers? https://www.youtube.com/user/BarnetBeekeepers/videos

i have discussed the video with the our oldest beekeeper in the Barnet BKA and he remembers the people in the video

He says the quilts were filled with kapock pillows , Army Blankets in squares or wool shoddy ,though straw was also used between the lifts but only in winter. Notice the quilts were often left on in summer and extra insulation added in winter (anything from more quilts or sacking or army blankets or carpet squares)

He also said it all changed in the war as things were in short supply and by the late 1950s when everyone changed to wedmores views after his new method was published in the late 1940s

The video is mainly taken in Mill Hill and Elstree and for the Trainspotters of you the LNER express is near Oakleigh Park Freirn Barnet

 

[charlievictorbravo]

Or move to Newlyn

Well, good luck with that. Having spent most of my working life dealing with levels related to the Ordnance Survey Datum at Newlyn, I thought I'd visit the datum point on a visit there a couple of years ago. I asked about a dozen people where it was and eventually a lady told me there was "something to do with the tides" at the end of a jetty. After getting through a locked gate I still could not find it.

If it had been a similar situation in America there would have been the "Datum Experience" with interactive displays and children's rides but not in Cornwall - they wouldn't want all those tourists cluttering up the harbour-side and jetty!

A disappointment really - I never did find the datum!

CVB

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Well, good luck with that. Having spent most of my working life dealing with levels related to the Ordnance Survey Datum at Newlyn, I thought I'd visit the datum point on a visit there a couple of years ago. I asked about a dozen people where it was and eventually a lady told me there was "something to do with the tides" at the end of a jetty. After getting through a locked gate I still could not find it.

If it had been a similar situation in America there would have been the "Datum Experience" with interactive displays and children's rides but not in Cornwall - they wouldn't want all those tourists cluttering up the harbour-side and jetty!

A disappointment really - I never did find the datum!

CVB

Funnily enough I've spent quite a bit of time berthed at Newlyn - we used to tie up just where the datum was taken from - we never found any indication of where it was either!!
Same goes for the baseline at Hounslow I believe although it's marked by a half buried cannon it's somewhere within the airport confines

 

[user 6228]

shut up Derick and eat your Banana

I am not a librarian

 

[Gilberdyke John]

I am not a librarian

Just don't get lost in L space