This cache was inspired by my recent trip to Australia.
Here’s an insight into what a Walkabout means to Aboriginal Australians.
‘Historically speaking, the walkabout is a rite of passage in which young (adolescent) Aboriginal Australians undertake a journey that will help “transform” them into adults. The journey is usually made between the ages of 10 and 16. During this journey which can last for up to six months, the individual is required to live and survive all alone in the wilderness. ….
The teenager needs to understand the concept of bravery and to get in touch with their spiritual guides. While moving across the land, the initiate sings so-called “songlines” – ancestral songs that serve as “spoken maps” that help them find their way. In the lack of modern instruments such as a compass or radio, it is believed that the young person is guided by some spiritual power.’
So grab your swag bag and head off whilst humming Waltzing Matilda, look out for jumbuck but try to avoid any billabongs. It will take you on a journey albeit a short one, give yourself 45 minutes.
This is a gadget geo cache.
You will need a rucksack and either an Android smart phone or iPhone.
IMPORTANT - You will need to download a 'BLE Serial' terminal app that works on your phone from an official app store. There are several apps to choose from.
From the iPhone App Store, my suggestion is to select one that is free to download and does not collect any data. Having no published star rating is not necessarily a problem but I suggest you avoid any that have a low star rating (2 or below).
From the Android Play Store, my suggestion is to select one that is free to download but is not sponsored, does not collect any data and has a high star rating (above 4).
Best do this before you head out.
There is no need for the app to communicate over the phone so for extra peace of mind, I suggest selecting flight safe mode before you open the app.
I’m using an HM-10 Bluetooth Low Energy modem to communicate with your phone (supported by Android and iPhone) to give you guidance for your journey.
You will need to pair and authenticate with the cache, the default PIN for the HM-10 is 000000. (Note this differs from the more normal 0000).
You do not need to share contacts if prompted.
When you get there...
When you arrive at the cache location, the tree mounted base unit should detect you with its PIR detector (only during the day) and it will start to flash. If it flashes green, all is good. If it flashes red, please let me know as this is a low power warning.
While it's still flashing (you've got about 2 minutes if you don't manage to re-trigger the PIR), grab the cache from its outer container. Doing this should jiggle the cache enough to wake it up and it will fully switch on when it is in the light. The tree mounted base needs to be on (flashing) when this happens. You will know the cache is 'awake' as it will make a short trilling sound and switch on its modem (a red LED indicates this).
The cache will attempt to communicate with the tree mounted base to work out where it is. This will take a few moments, then it will start beeping and flashing a blue LED as it wants to communicate with your phone.
That’s your cue to open up your phone app.
For Android phones, go to the Device section and press SCAN – you should see a device called Geocache, tap this to start the pairing process.
For iPhones, just click Connect and it will start scanning for nearby devices, you are looking for one called Geocache.
Once the connection is established (PIN is 000000), the cache will send you additional information to guide you on your Walkabout.
I found the screen looked best in landscape mode (you need to have Auto-rotate enabled on your phone).
Don't worry if it stops flashing blue and beeping before you get your phone sorted (you have about 40s to achieve this), just pop the cache back in the dark (it's outer container or your rucksack), it will beep to confirm it detected darkness. Then take it out and have another go.
The idea is to take the cache with you on your Walkabout (hence the rucksack). While you are on Walkabout, keep it in the dark inside your rucksack. This will keep it asleep. Your rucksack needs to be able to keep the light out - if in doubt, take the outer container with you. (It's the size of a spagetti container.) The cache will beep once when it detects it's dark.
When you arrive at the next location, just take the cache out of your rucksack and it will try to connect to a tree mounted base (assuming it's on and flashing).
If you decide to pause between bases, please be aware that after 30 minutes with no interaction from you (taking it out of your rucksack or putting it in your rucksack), it will do a reset requiring the cache to go back to the start. It will warn you with 5 beeps just before doing this. Best wake up the unit every 30 minutes by taking it in or out of your rucksack to keep it happy.
If you hear a very long trilling sound just after the 5 beeps, sadly that indicates the cache has reset - it will need to go back to the start.
Assuming you get the cache to open, please make sure the unit is securely locked before you re-hide it. If it somehow fails to lock the first time, just slide the lid open and closed again to give it another chance to lock.
Tip - best have the dry bag inside the outer container before you slide the cache back in place - it's much easier to roll up the dry bag this way.
Please put the silica gel sachets inside the orange dry bag and roll up its opening and clip it closed (see photo) otherwise it won't keep the cache dry.
Timings:
Allow some 45 minutes to complete your walkabout (if you make no stops).
When the cache flashes blue and beeps, you have 40s to connect and pair your phone (but you can try again as described above). Please wait until the cache is beeping and flashing a blue LED. If you try to connect before this, you might get a phone status indicating you are connected, but nothing happens. If this seems to be the case, try again as described above.
The cache will reset (and make a long trilling sound) if left unattended for 30 minutes but it will warn you first by beeping - it will need to go back to the start if this happens.
If you get the lid to unlock (a continuous beep sound), it will auto-relock in about a minute if you fail to slide open the lid (and you'll have to start again if it does).
When you slide the lid closed, it will briefly trill to warn you it is about to lock - this gives you a chance to slide the lid back open if you forgot to replace the log.
FTF honours go to FamousEccles.