TAC merch store now live

[Rod Brown]

https://the-astronomy-connection.myspreadshop.com/

I've set up four designs

• The original logo, large version: I had a hard time cleaning up the background around the title, so I've limited this to a few colors that did not look too odd.
• The original logo, small version over the left breast pocket area: Same caveats.
• The original figure but with simplified lettering, large version: Many more colors available.
• The original figure but with simplified lettering, small version over the left breast pocket area: Many more colors for this one, too.

I don't really have any worries about the small versions. I also think there was enough resolution for the large version (cloth is not a high resolution material for printing), but it would be nice if someone volunteered to make a test order. I did the best I could, but caveat emptor, YMMV, no guarantee expressed or implied, etc., etc.

As noted earlier, recommended care is to wash items inside out, not on hot, and hang to dry (no dryer) to protect the logo.

I've set the shop up as a non-profit (not a 501C, but literally no profit), so all items are at cost.

A 25% discount is available for the next two weeks.

I did not set up every backpack, stuffed animal, etc., but if there is something you really want (like a polo or zipped hoodie), let me know. And please post photos of the first orders when they are received.

Rod

[Richard Navarrete]

That is so cool! 

Thanks for your work,

Richard

Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

--
Observing Sites, Observing Reports, About TAC linked at top of:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/sf-bay-tac
 
Subscribers post to the mailing list at:
 
sf-ba...@googlegroups.com,
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Astronomy Connection (TAC)" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to sf-bay-tac+...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/CAJa4qZOcmK1EK3y4kQiHr2jU-xR-P38_CEbPQk3H3zOG_W1ncg%40mail.gmail.com.

[David Kirjassoff]

Thanks so much for doing this!  I’ll be placing an order. 

David

Sent from my iPad

On Nov 10, 2025, at 3:21 PM, Rod Brown <rodney....@gmail.com> wrote:



[Surya Rao]

Thank you Rod! Placed an order for couple of shirts :-)

Surya

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/03E79AE0-D26C-4A45-88B7-CB8958EE133D%40gmail.com.

[Mark Wagner]

Love it, Rod.  To me it's something like a 30 year trip back in time.  Thanks

[Richard Ozer]

Rod,

This is awesome!!

[Akarsh Simha]

Thanks a ton! I’ll order soon! Can we have a version with a QR code at the back that leads to the observers.org website?

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/CAEgXk-nGExv_YSgQZpOfzAHMBgsB3K3Wfq5XtPqByz3_WyqMdQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[Rod Brown]

Hi Akarsh,

Sure. Maybe with "observers.org" in text below the QR code? And maybe "The Astronomy Connection" above? Let me know what you think.

The design with the simplified lettering and large logo is by far the most popular in the 23 items ordered so far, so I will use that.

Rod

[Rod Brown]

It was bugging me that there were no designs that looked good on dark backgrounds, so I added a new one with white text outlined in black. For this design, rather than pick colors based on my sense of what looks good, I left all color options on, so any choice you make is on you. :-)

I also upscaled the image in my ancient version of Photoshop before uploading the new design to the shop site, so there may be some slight differences in how things look. However, I expect the shop has a pretty good algorithm built in.

Here is the new design: https://the-astronomy-connection.myspreadshop.com/large+logo+with+white+text

On Monday, November 10, 2025 at 3:21:21 PM UTC-8 Rod Brown wrote:

[Stacy Jo McDermott]

WOW - this is so COOOOLLLL!!!!!

Thank you for setting this up.  I know what I'm getting for Christmas :-)

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/4d5494bd-a15b-4259-8cb8-be137d10e438n%40googlegroups.com.

[Frank Graham]

Very cool!  Just ordered a darker shirt with the white lettering:)

Thanks for doing all this work, Rod!

On Nov 11, 2025, at 08:52, Rod Brown <rodney....@gmail.com> wrote:

It was bugging me that there were no designs that looked good on dark backgrounds, so I added a new one with white text outlined in black. For this design, rather than pick colors based on my sense of what looks good, I left all color options on, so any choice you make is on you. :-)

--
Observing Sites, Observing Reports, About TAC linked at top of:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/sf-bay-tac
 
Subscribers post to the mailing list at:
 
sf-ba...@googlegroups.com,
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Astronomy Connection (TAC)" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to sf-bay-tac+...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/9f90792c-ede3-4964-a20f-917b7fd7d080n%40googlegroups.com.

[Rod Brown]

I made an executive decision and just added "observers.org" below the QR code. Here is the new design:

https://the-astronomy-connection.myspreadshop.com/large+logo+with+white+text+and+qr+code+on+back

[Brad Templeton]

I asked the AI to come up with an image of us and here's what I got.  

On Monday, November 10, 2025 at 3:21:21 PM UTC-8 Rod Brown wrote:

[Aris Pope]

Could you make the QR code smaller? I love this and thanks for putting it together!

Aris

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/6f8e2410-d158-4360-89b6-bff415ce5070n%40googlegroups.com.

[Akshay Subramaniam]

Looks like you can customize most designs and make different elements smaller/larger and move them around which is super cool! I was able to resize the QR code on one of the Gildan hoodies.

Akshay

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/CAP5wcXnf_juTMdQr0qQBcBS1xJmZ52NkxEzG8Z%2B2-5RbVDDRsw%40mail.gmail.com.

[KG]

Just ordered one hoodie! Great idea, thank you!

Gopal K

Sent from my iPhone -made in China😴

On Nov 11, 2025, at 12:32 PM, Brad Templeton <bra...@gmail.com> wrote:

I asked the AI to come up with an image of us and here's what I got.  

--
Observing Sites, Observing Reports, About TAC linked at top of:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/sf-bay-tac
 
Subscribers post to the mailing list at:
 
sf-ba...@googlegroups.com,
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Astronomy Connection (TAC)" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to sf-bay-tac+...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/40379632-5c66-4e89-9de2-f62af7b66488n%40googlegroups.com.

[Rod Brown]

Hi Akshay,

Yes, glad you found that. 

Aris, I suggest you do that as well. Select the item you want, then look for the pen tool below the image of the item.

You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google Groups "The Astronomy Connection (TAC)" group.
To unsubscribe from this topic, visit https://groups.google.com/d/topic/sf-bay-tac/SlIHAj0qqqU/unsubscribe.
To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to sf-bay-tac+...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/CAOnUGbT4Rw6fpRBOsvstQfTYCmAEgFyM%2BPZBg54XFipZ0-pmzQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[David Kirjassoff]

Thanks again Rod. Love my new sweatshirt!

On Monday, November 10, 2025 at 3:21:21 PM UTC-8 Rod Brown wrote:

[Rod Brown]

Excellent, thanks for sharing the picture! Frank sent me a picture of the version with the white logo, too. I’m happy with how they came out. 

More thanks should go to Mark for instigating this project and to Richard for the classic logo. 

A reminder to all, the 25% discount ends Sunday at 9 AM PST, though I expect they will offer other discounts in the future. 

https://the-astronomy-connection.myspreadshop.com/

Rod

On Nov 17, 2025, at 5:06 PM, David Kirjassoff <dkirj...@gmail.com> wrote:



--
Observing Sites, Observing Reports, About TAC linked at top of:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/sf-bay-tac
 
Subscribers post to the mailing list at:
 
sf-ba...@googlegroups.com,
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google Groups "The Astronomy Connection (TAC)" group.
To unsubscribe from this topic, visit https://groups.google.com/d/topic/sf-bay-tac/SlIHAj0qqqU/unsubscribe.
To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to sf-bay-tac+...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/9d20ea38-7d8c-4410-9ee9-c07b5251e46bn%40googlegroups.com.

<IMG_8056.jpeg>

[Joel Lee]

Thanks for putting the shop together Rod! I ordered some stickers a couple of days back and the whole batch is here now. I’ll probably put some on a case, the newt, or the EdgeHD later on. 

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Astronomy Connection (TAC)" group.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to sf-bay-tac+...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/8448055A-52AA-43BC-BF3E-720C2535E3D0%40gmail.com.

[Philippe Fossier]

A dumb question I am sure but the checkout page asks for a code.

The 25% that is granted until Sunday morning is applied across the board and does not require a code - right ?

~ philippe

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Astronomy Connection (TAC)" group.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to sf-bay-tac+...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/8448055A-52AA-43BC-BF3E-720C2535E3D0%40gmail.com.

[Philippe Fossier]

Never mind - there is an "Apply the discount" button which I overlooked when placing my first order (not the 2nd though).

~ philippe

[marek.c...@gmail.com]

Many, many thanks for creating this! I just ordered a couple of t-shirts and a mug. This is really cool! :-D

(I have way too many mugs, but I just couldn't resist.)

It would be awesome if Spreadshop could make patches. Having more TAC patches out there in the world would be really cool. I consider myself exceedingly fortunate to have one of the old TAC patches from the days of myth, legend, story and song, given to me by Turley as a Swinburne graduation present over a steak at Grill 'Em. To say I value it would be to engage in the droll-est of understatement, to borrow a phrase from Bill Bryson.

I'm guessing the production cost on patches is a lot higher, though, what with (I assume) some sort of control file (for a computerized loom, I guess) being necessary.

But if patches ever became a thing, that would be really sweet. Hook and loop backing would be best, but h&l can be attached to a patch that has that smooth flexible plastic coating on the back.

I would love to replace one of the DARQ Industries patches on my NV helmet with a TAC patch. (DARQ is the outfit from which I bought my PVS-14s.) Those DARQ patches are 1-5/8th inch in diameter. A little bigger would be fine, too.

Super cool that TAC merch exists! Thanks heaps!

[Richard Navarrete]

I think Jamie got the patches done. I have one sewn onto the shroud for my Obsession, and I’ve got one sitting on a shelf. ☺️

Richard

Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/792a13b5-86c3-4752-8e09-ed9983aa1e22n%40googlegroups.com

.

[Jamie Dillon, DDK]

100 of 'em, in two sets of 50. My nextdoor neighbor buddy had heard about our observing gang and asked, "Don't you want to fly your colors?" That was too much of a dare. A local uniform store put them out. You've quite maybe seen mine on my denim jacket.

People were shocked that they had to be sewn on. I've seen yours, Richard, along with Wagner's, Rashad's, Nilesh's, Turley's, Marek's, The Shadow's, maybe Stacy Jo's if I remember right, and that's about it. That's a lot of patches stuck into dresser drawers.

[Rod Brown]

Hi all,

Short update on what has been sold so far and upcoming discounts:

Designs
Of the 41 items ordered so far that I can see data for, 21 have been the large logo with the new title in black, 10 with the title in white, and 6 with the original title. Small logo has only had 4 sales, and QR code has had 1.

Items

15 stickers, 11 premium men's t-shirts, 8 men's hoodies. Rest of items have only sold qty 1 or 2 each.

Upcoming discounts

30% off orders $70 or more 11/28-12/1

20% off everything 12/2-12/7

Rod

On Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 2:31:04 PM UTC-8 Philippe Fossier wrote: