For the fourth time this year, someone has cut the power and data cable on one of our GPS base stations.
This has been occurring in the same general location just northwest of Mentone, Texas. You would think a unit set up in the middle of the desert in the least populated county in the United States would be free of molestation. However, Loving County is currently experiencing an oil boom and there is all manner of oilfield workers, pipeliners, surveyors and other related industry workers crawling all over the place. During a six month period earlier this year there were over 2800 drilling permits issued in Loving County alone. I do not have the current number but I'm sure it's still on a similar pace.
I don't think it is competing survey crews having a joke. ELS Surveying has also had equipment messed with and actually lost an entire system about a month ago. I'd suspect a landowner or someone else unhappy with the oil development.
I'd love to say that we are equipping the crews with a sniper rifle and high powered scope but our insurance people put the kibosh on that idea. We are taking steps to protect our equipment.
Get some good trail cameras and hide them nearby.
> For the fourth time this year, someone has cut the power and data cable on one of our GPS base stations.
Andy,
Is it a high wattage transmitter? I know there have been several times that someone's large caliber base walked all over my little GR-3s. I couldn't find a channel that wasn't messed up. We were screwed even 5 miles away.
At the time I was mad enough to do something stupid, but I refrained.
> Get some good trail cameras and hide them nearby.
I was thinking exactly the same thing.
Moultrie makes a good one for about $150 bucks, high res photos or video, day or night. If it was me I'd make setting one nearby SOP. They make some that will text you the photos in real time.
Just because I'm paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get me.
> Get some good trail cameras and hide them nearby.
That was my first thought also.
B-)
Years ago in South America, it cost $50 to a Paratrooper Company Commander and $5/day for a Paratrooper, assault rifle & pup tent per base station. Worked great!
"Guard Dog" 🙂
That's funny. 34 years ago I was a paratrooper in Central and South America. I was making $390 a month though..
"Guard Dog" 🙂
I like using ED-209. Even though he is unable to use stairs real well, he is very versatile in an open area.
"Guard Dog" 🙂
cept mines real. I win. 😛
A skunk drone would solve all your problems.
"Guard Dog" 🙂
Working here in the Borough I sometimes wish I had one of these robots to protect my robot.... Pedestrians are very curious as to what all these "pictures" are being taken of.
No, I'm pretty sure it is the standard issue pac-crest radio.
The problem with a game camera would be adequately hiding it in the flat, desolate terrain. If the thing looks like a brown rock, it will stick out like a sore thumb in Loving County.
We will be taking steps to secure the equipment.
SURE ITS NOT A VARMINT
May just have to hire a guy to babysit the base station.
You said it has happened before, was it on the same point, or another part of the oil field or on another surface owners tract?
I don't think another survey company would cut the cable or anyone working in the oil field.
We have a Javad base with built in batteries and Bluetooth no cables to cut, however I would rather have cut cables then a stolen base.
If you need to upgrade or get another base I would look into one with built in batteries.
We have control all around this area so it hasn't been at the same exact spot just the general area. It is in the neighborhood of the southeast corner of Block 53, Township 2, T&P Ry Co Survey at the unholy juncture with Public School Land Blocks 29 and C-27, W&NW Ry Block 1-2, and the northwest part of University Lands, Block 19. North and east of Mentone.
We have options on the table and in the unlikely event that it is a competing crew, I am not going to specify here what measures we will be taking.
There are more game cameras stolen around here than surveying equipment.
If you leave anything somewhere long enough, it will get messed with.
The best place to leave something like that is at one of the most difficult places to get to, at least it will take more effort on their part.
Tattletale Security Systems
I have used Tattletale security systems to monitor remote stations as well as my equipment yard. They have been used a lot by utility companies to keep copper thiefs at bay.
I recommend that you check them out at: