Chipper3
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Posts posted by Chipper3
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I submitted a cache for review nine days ago. I heard almost immediately from reviewer seeking additional info but since then no correspondence. Is this normal wait time?
How long should I wait before resubmitting or.......... I did enter a follow up log but received no response.
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Thanks to all the helpful people and their replies and advice! I was able to prepare all the goodies and especially the collector Fridge Magnets for this addition to the series of caches.
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22 hours ago, peter-tvm said:
Yes, the cache will have the same gc-code once it is published as you see on the draft page.
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I am working on a cache and it is in draft mode. The page for the cache has an assigned GC code. I make gifts for my caches that reference the GC code for the cache. I would like to have all of those gifts in place when I submit the cache for review so when approved all those quick to find folks will not be disappointed.
When the cache is approved, will it have the same GC code shown in the draft version or will it change? The draft code looks like GCA7***
Chipper3
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On 2/5/2023 at 2:53 PM, Keystone said:
Your cache is an "Advanced Cache," for purposes of the Official Apps, not a "Premium Members Only" cache. Advanced Caches (other than Premium Members Only caches) are viewable (and loggable) by Basic Members on the Geocaching.com website.
Hmmmmm...... The message in the official app clearly say , " You must be a Premium Member to view this cache. As I read the Geocache help site, a regular member can only see traditional caches below a certain difficulty level. The cache in question is a multi and a difficulty of 3 so a regular member is blocked and will get the attached message.
https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.chapter&id=102&pgid=764
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I have a cache that I have not flagged as Premium. It is a multi-cache but I don't think that should automatically make it a Premium only cache.
The cache in question is https://coord.info/GC9M45T
I have a report from a Basic Member that the app blocks them from seeing the Description for that cache as they are not a Premium member. (see attachment) What could cause that to happen?
If you have a chance , please try the link and let me know if you see it marked Premium.
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I like to "build" caches that have story lines and create a cohesive experience for the finders. I enjoy all the pre- work and planning that goes into multi-caches and the maintainence and enhancement is as enjoyable to me as searching and finding caches. Back a million yeas ago, I was into model trains and the fun , for me, was in planning a layout and then building the layout with all the trestles and scenery, etc. Then running the trains was a different phase and provided different rewards.
So, I guess it takes a special type of person that approaches true multi-caches as I approached train layouts. In an "instant pudding", "point and click", "channel surfing" world, "Park and Grabs"do not fit the model train approach and as a result fewer and fewer epic adventures come into existence.-
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7 hours ago, arisoft said:
I think that 24 samples is too small to make conclusion about this matter. I just plotted some points with random distance and random atzimuth and the distribution was sometimes very skewed and sometimes almost a circle. Her is one random sample that looks like an ellipse.
Anyway, the position your receiver displays is not purely random and not distributed the same way I used in my example, instead, it is a result of complex calculation based on satellite data that is constantly changing. It may need much more data to make a reasoned conclusion. For example, if you leave your receiver in a one spot for a day and track all "movements" it may be very interesting. I accidentally made this once when I forgot the receiver in the woods.
Thank you. Yes, prolly 100 data points would be a good sample size. Il'l gather more information today as well as post the data points gathered by the "pro grade" survey device. My survey resource tells me that he was informed that the pattern will always be elliptical and the amount will vary based on latitude (I think barefootjeffs comment also indicates this) but he was not informed why.
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Thank you everyone who has expressed an interest! I will have the waypoint map from my surveyor tomorrow but for now.
I have attached 3 pix.
a. A screen shot of a collection of "pins in the map" indicating the reported location by averaging software on my iPhone. (IGCT Pro) In each case I walked away 150 feet and returned and let the jitter disappear before taking a new reading. The iPhone is oriented NORTH. I believe you will see the elliptical pattern i have observed.
b. A photo from my Garmin 64st showing satellite location at time of collection
c. A screen shot from the https://in-the-sky.org/ site showing location of satellites at the time of day for my location.
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I use a variety of devices to conduct way point averaging. I guess I kinda' expected the cluster of readings to be circular around the average but on the devices that plot individual points , I observe that the distribution of lat/lon points form an ellipse not a circle. I observe the same thing on super sophisticated survey equipment.
Why?
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On 8/21/2022 at 6:36 PM, TriciaG said:
Is this a separate app that people would have to download and install? I don't think that's allowed.
No download - Just call the provided phone number.
There is no contact with a person - just a message/text bot.
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Thanks to all that have helped me! I settled on buying one phone number from XXX. I settled on text to eliminate any clarity issues and to provide a text trail on the hunters phone for routes, etc.
I can program using a simple flow chart GUI instead of having to code.
I have a Fairy voice answer and say that she would rather answer to texts if someone calls the number.
If they text, then I have a cascading logic flow that accepts different codes that are obtained from each of the multi stage hides.
I can handle bad entry and will detect the obvious "blue" responses so the fairy can answer appropriately.I have attached screenshots of the opening screen as well as secondary screen to give an idea of what the Fairies are up to. This technique will be used for Fairy Light VII in the series. =)
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I am working on an app that would give Fairy Cache clues & info by phone. As a user, would rather text to the Fairy Guide and get a text reply OR call a number and get a voice recorded message in a Fairy Guide voice?
Each stage in a multicache would provide a different sms code to get the next clue.-
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9 hours ago, Jayeffel said:
By what you say do you mean pull down the Map area shown? May be helpfulunction in the future-- if I even remember!
Thank you for catching my error.
To confirm -To refresh a Cache Page while using the APP, you must go to the main view for the cache and select the map at the top of the screen , pull down and release. This action will result in a manual refresh of the page.
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Thank you Max and 99 - Once you load that cache page for the first time, the version that was current will be "stuck" in your cache for that page until you conduct a forced refresh as mentioned in the thread. You saw the correct version as you did not have the cache page stored.
Thanks for your help!
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OK, I found out that the APP does not refresh itself regardless of how much time has passed either by directly entering the GC Code or finding from the Map View.
To refresh a Cache Page while using the APP, you must go to the main view for the cache and at the very top of the screen , pull down and release. This action will result in a manual refresh of the page.
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When the Cache Description is read using a web browser, all of the information for the cache is included. When the Cache Description is read using the Geocache App, Information that has been added to the end of the Description is left out.
The description was changed months ago from a browser using my desktop. I would think that plenty of time has passed so lag is not a cause. If I view on my iPHONE and use a browser, I can see the additional text. If I switch to the app , the new text is missing.
I am interested in your experience. The cache is https://coord.info/GC9M45T
If you scroll down past item 12 The Eyes Of The Woods......, the additional text that I cannot see using the app begins with , "
We are so happy that you have scrolled down this far!
There is a Special Bonus Cache Within Fairy Light Quest Number VI."
What are your thoughts and suggestions?
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Fun! I find that the preparation and building phase to be the rewarding part of any hobby! Have fun!
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I have not tried the module described in my last post but have received it. BUT, I did find a flaw in my wiring of just the simple LDR acting a switch without any extra components. I used a LDR similar to what barefootjeff originally recommended - LIGHT SENSITIVE RESISTOR LIGHT DEPENDENT RESISTOR PIR 5 MM GM5539 5539.
I just wired in parallel with the on/off switch on the sound board and even a low light level red LED taped to the LDR will activate the sound card. The light from an iPhone will activate at a distance of 10 feet. Attached is a simple set up showing a soundcard with the LDR wired across the on/off switch connected to the soundboard with the black wires. If I go this route , I will tape off the LED and LDR to block any ambient light that could trick the set-up.
I will try the photo switch as well as it is a more bullet proof solution and cheap enough at $6.00
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UPDATE: I tried a variety of Light Dependent Resistors as a straight substitute for the momentary contact switch to activate the sound card for the ambient sounds near the Fairy Light Caches.
I was unable to get them to function in the manner that I needed. It appears in order to be reliable, some additional circuitry is required to be "bullet-proof." Or I just could not locate the zero resistance with light LDR needed.
I found a module that seems to contain all the necessary circuitry and hardware. I just have to add a 5 volt power supply ( 3 C batteries fits my "black box.") The device has a flexible LDR and a board that processes the signal and then closes a normally open or normally closed switch that can activate my sound card or any other device that is triggered by a switch.
I will report my findings. I have attached a pix of the device and a link.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TGKNDRB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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20 hours ago, barefootjeff said:
so I replaced the pushbutton with a light-dependent resistor.
barefootjeff - I think that your solution will work for me. I hope you will help me with sourcing and use of the light-dependent resistor you mentioned.
So, the device I have and wish to hack is a Bunker Hill PIR Sensor coupled by RF to a receiver that sounds an alert and blinks an LED when the PIR detects proximity. I like the Transmitter/Receiver package as it is EZ and I can place the Receiver about 200 feet away from the Sensor and the whole shebang cost $12, Etc. I originally thought I could find an EZ way to hack the Receiver circuit board to act as a momentary switch to trigger the Sound Card I mentioned. Then it dawned on me that I would not have to do anything to the devices - just leave them as packaged except for silencing the speaker- by using your solution.
The sound card is activated by a simple push of a momentary switch and then the sound device takes off with the recording. It seems that I could tape/mount a light-dependent resistor over the LED. I would connect the LDR leads and replace the momentary switch. Then when the LED lights up, I assume that the LDR would act as a switch and activate the sound card just like momentary switch does.
What do you think and what LDR would you recommend ?
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12 hours ago, barefootjeff said:
Not quite what you're asking for, but I've done something a bit like that only it's light-sensitive rather than motion-sensitive. The cache's "camo" is a Halloween grim reaper doll which came with pushbutton-activated spooky sound and visual effects, so I replaced the pushbutton with a light-dependent resistor. The cache is in a dark location inside the cave, with repeated instructions in the description and hint to bring a torch. The standby battery drain is a little higher than I'd like but I get about 8-9 months life out of three AAA lithium batteries, with them replaced every 6 months just to be sure.
For the record, the cache (GC7YP51), hidden in late 2018, has had 20 finds with 17 FPs.
Thank you for responding and your hide sounds terrific.
addressing your "not sure what..." : I wish to use an inexpensive motion sensor like the one offered by Bunker Hill to activate my sound card. I am looking for the specifics on hacking the receiver to act as the switch to play my sound card instead of the receiver triggering its own "siren."
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30 minutes ago, lee737 said:
this will be the main issue - power in a device on stand-by.... unless you can rig up solar etc?
Maybe consider some type of effect once the container is opened - then you have no stand-by drain.....
Thank You! Reviews generally report a battery life of 6 months in constant use. I would change batteries as part of cache maintenance. And If I don't or if they fail, then then locating the cache is not hampered.
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I have a series of caches that have the context of fairies and associated backstories, swag and things that one may find in the local of a cache in this series. For example the tinkling of a wind chime off in the distance from GZ located in a forest setting.
So along those lines, I want to create some sound effects that create some ambience and help the geocacher realize that they are approaching GZ. I have experience using one of the many devices that are often used for audio greeting cards. Record by downloading a sound file and they play when a button is pressed. Think squeezing the teddy bear's paw and it speaks. I got that part down.
I want to trigger the playback by some type of inexpensive battery powered motion sensor. I find these things for around $15 and the package consists of a sensor that sends a signal to a receiver module. ( I would list the device types but not sure of the spamming rules in the forum.) I am interested if anyone has some experience with these devices and how I could hack to accomplish "pushing the button" on the player device. I envision that the motion detector sends its signal and I hack the receiver (which is hidden away somewhere) to close the circuit instead of the push button on the player.
If I do not violate forum rules, I can post the link to the exact devices I would like to use.
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New Cache Review/Approval Timing
in General geocaching topics
Posted
Thank you! I figured I must be doing something wrong.