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Team K1W1

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Posts posted by Team K1W1

    Digital Geocache

    in How do I...?

    Posted

    I got an Arduino for Christmas and thought about making a digital Geo-cache with the Arduino. I'm just wondering what I should make the cache do? The Arduino is capable of many things and I just need some help deciding what to do with it for the Geo-cache. Thanks.

     

    I have bookmarked a bunch of Arduino and electronic based caches:

    http://www.geocaching.com/bookmarks/view.aspx?guid=9dc7690f-39eb-4e19-8c19-734467700f1c

     

    Prototype with the expensive genuine arduino and build with the knock-offs

     

    Cheers

    Electronic Geocache Forum

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted

    I had another idea for a set of several caches in different locations that would each be published as an unknown cache type. It wouldn't require any electronic hardware design so I suppose it would loosely fit the idea of an electronic cache. The idea is based on those "exchange caches" where two cachers in different locations need to find a cache which has information for the person in the other location. Here's how it would work. Cache listings for 2 or more caches would each have a link to a web application which captures your general location. In the HTML5 spec there is a location API that will either use lat/long coordinates provided by a mobile device with a GPS or can determine a general location based on your IP address. It doesn't have to be any more accurate then to indicate that a location is within a city. Suppose there is a cache in New York CIty, Paris, and Tokyo. When someone from NYC connects to the web application it would display a green icon on a world map. In order to get the final coordinates someone from Paris and someone from Tokyo would have to be simultaneously connected to the site, and then all three green icons would be displayed on the map, and the coordinates for each cache would be revealed to each of the "players". It could be done by coordinating with other cachers beforehand or just connect to the site and wait until someone from each city has connected.

     

    We had a series like that - the gemini's

     

    http://coord.info/GC426GJ

    and

    http://coord.info/GC425C7

     

    Steve

    Polski geocoin

    in Poland

    Posted

    Where can I buy the coin from?

     

    Thanks

    Coin shown on the pics above has more then 2 years already. I don't think if there is any available for the purchase. Maybe some collectors have some spare ones, but I doubt it. Let's see if anyone reply with his offer :)

     

    I will swap one of my original "Poland/Polska" geocoins for the new design one

    Anyone?

     

    Thanks

    Steve

    Arduino based geocaches

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted

    Awesome I'm glad that others. I have a couple series planned ("Required 2xAA", "Ever lick a 9v?", and "Need a jump!") all based around the Arduino and electronics.

    Two AA batteries are not going to start the Arduino unless you use special circuit, that transforms 3v to the required 5v.

    But that is consuming a little more power.

    Personally I prefer to use the 9v batteries with an LM7805+a small filtering capacitor. It works fine, and if you add the suggestion "bring your battery!" in the description page, you cover the case of battery out!

    I would like to hear for your ideas, and maybe we can cooperate in some of mine. If you like the idea send me e-mail.

    After the first 200 caches Tupperware hunting becomes boring !

     

    I've been using these 5v boosters:

    https://solarbotics.com/product/19210/

     

    The same product is available from SparkFun

     

    Cheers

    Cryptex Drawings for Geocaching Community

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted

    There is a design on thingiverse:

    http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4414

     

    Has anyone looked into using a 3D printer for the difficult to machine parts?

     

    I don't have personal experience with them, but I've read about ones like the makerbot or reprap. You may even be able to get access to one at a member based workshop like makerworks in Ann Arbor, MI

     

    Just a thought. If someone developed the 3D models and shared them, others could "print" the parts on their own machines.

    Reverse Geocache completed!

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted

    Very cool.

    I have built 2 of these and have both listed as caches:

    CacheDuino and CacheDuino II

    I use a TB as the "locator" for the caches, which has problems of it's own (someone grabs the TB and holds onto it for weeks)

    The cache will open at 1 of 4 random locations. For the most part everything works well.

     

    There is also another listed on Vancouver Island Pandors'a Box and there was a 4th also in BC but it was archived recently.

    If anyone wants the sketch or help on building one just drop me an email. I hope to do an "Instructable" on the build of it in the near future.

    Costs were approx...

    GPS ~ $60

    LCD ~ $7

    Arduino & shield ~ $40 but could be was less with other arduino clone options

    Servo ~ $17

    etc

     

    I also have an "Arduino" booklist:

    Cheers

    Team K1W1

    Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent Treatment

    in Canada

    Posted

    I didn't think it was available in Canada. When I looked a couple of years ago it apparently hadn't got approval from health Canada (or whoever looks after these things) except for the military.

    I'll check out the store when I am downtown Vancouver tomorrow as I have been wanting to get some for when we explore BC's Interior.

    Going to Canada August 2012

    in Canada

    Posted

    We have a couple of unique puzzle caches in Vancouver. Our CacheDuino is a "reverse geocache" puzzle box. If it's something you'd like to try contact me via our geocaching.com profile.

    As mentioned you should do the Othello Tunnels caches. Also further up the "Coquihalla" highway is Ladner Creek Trestle -

     

    If you are traveling from Vancouver to Revelstoke via the Coquihalla/highway 5 there is a lake about 1/2 way between them, Lac Le Jeune. We also have a number of caches in that area. There is a nice B & B and a resort right on the lake.

    Technology + Caching

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted

    I'm a computer science major and I love to geocache and I want to merge the two fields in new and interesting ways. I've already done so in once cache if you want to check out GC2XXX7. I've also been working on the blueprints for a geocache which is a solid box which is locked and has 4 LED lights and 4 buttons on the top. You have to solve a simon-says type puzzle in order to gain access. I'm now taking a class where our instructions are to build an interactive device, I want to stick with the geocaching theme but I think I need a more advanced idea for the class. Any bigger, nerdier projects you can think of along the same lines?

     

    I have a Bookmark List of AVR/Arduino/Microprocessor based caches here:

    http://www.geocaching.com/bookmarks/view.aspx?guid=9dc7690f-39eb-4e19-8c19-734467700f1c

     

    I am working on an RFID based multi-cache where you will have to take a box to the different stages, find the RFID chip and scan it to get the next stage coordinates.

     

    There are also 4 "reverse geocaches" in BC.

     

    Cheers

    K1W1

    Microcontroller based geocaches

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    I really like this reverse geocache. It's clever, has a nice set of features and is very well crafted (much nicer than mine). While it's a geocaching thing, it's not actually a geocache, and it couldn't be published as one at geocaching.com. It's more of a specialized GPS receiver. Thinking about it, it could be set up as a TB that geocachers could "discover" as the owner carries it around.

     

    This does open up some possibilites that I hadn't considered. You could set up a microcontroller based TB that discovers could interact with to get some information. One idea that I have been considering would actually work well this way. It could be taken to events and accessed to get information about the physical location of an actual geocache.

     

    geocaching.com does allow reverse geocaches and there are 4 of then in British Columbia. Savant9 has listed 2 of them which are mine.

     

    GC2NPQQ

    GC274MK

     

    I also have a hangman game puzzle cache based on an Arduino - the cacher finds the hangman game and if they beat the hangman the lcd displays the final coordinates.

    GC2W9AG. I got the idea from this project

     

    I have a public list of Arduino based geocaches here. Can I add yours to it?

     

    Team K1W1

    Arduino based geocaches

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted

    Have a look at what the cache "r10n" has made:

     

    http://electricgeocaching.blogspot.com/2010/09/gemini-puzzle-caches.html

     

     

    I've got the parts. Here's my idea.. it is based on two ideas I've seen here in the forums over the last two weeks. A cache that REQUIRES teamwork with one or more other people. A cache that makes use of Arduino.

     

    I've got three control units. One master and two slaves. The master has a push button and an LCD display. The two slaves contain just a push button. Three cachers each must bring your own 9v battery. All three geocachers must connect their battery and then simultaneously hold down their push buttons. The master listens and when all three buttons pushed, coords for final display on the screen at the master.

     

    A couple of bugs I am working out.. proof of concept works in the basement. Need to determine maximum range of my Arduino wireless devices. Ideally I'd like the three control units 250' apart. Need to determine a way that a single cacher can't cheat.. like taping down the other two buttons. Use of momentary switches might work but other ideas?

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