Securing a base

I use many different methods, after having had two base stations stolen in the past?ÿ

I'll try to find a fence post that is fairly plumb and away from foot and vehicle traffic.?ÿ Mount the receiver in a standout rod and bungee cord it to the post using shims to plumb the rod.?ÿ ?ÿI mark a ground spot for resetting the base on another day.?ÿ ?ÿIt's also a good idea to set a couple checkin points for quality assurance .

I drilled a hole in the bottom flange of my base and ran an 1/8" stainless cable?ÿ thru it making a loop. I lock it via another cable to utility poles, fences, or my truck.?ÿ

Adam, it is no clear so I gotta ask, is that mounted to your truck?

I have been considering manufacturing a device that would work with my trailer hitch to secure a prism pole so that I could then put a base unit on.

I have some ideas in my head on how I can make it but securing the receiver still eludes me. You would think that the manufacturers would have made some means to do what I am seeking.

They make these, they also make one with one mag, I don't recommend those.

Put it on top of the cab, it's not perfect but it looks like it's attached to the truck, helps to keep anyone trying to steal it.

When I do long static sessions and dont want to stay with the gear, i use a length of thin wire rope having a loop on each end. I can put one end through the space around a tribrach screw, run the other end through that loop, go through the tripod leg, through the strap on the receiver, through the carry handle on the battery, and if there is a post or something handy, around that before padlocking the end loop back to the wire rope.?ÿ If I want, I can go through a dog-chain anchor screwed into the ground.

It wouldnt stop a determined thief, but would make it distinctly unhandy for a grab-and-run.

Like Adam, I drilled a couple of holes in the web of my base receiver and ran a stainless cable loop through it.?ÿ I also pop-riveted a stainless bracket to one of my 2m tripods that allows me to lock the receiver to the tripod.?ÿ Another bracket near the bottom of the tripod allows me to lock that to a sign post, fence post, tree or other stationary object.

'Most all base stations thefts I've heard of occurred with the base set up right beside the road. Set it up just a little off the road and your risk of theft, which is small anyway,?ÿ goes down dramatically. Not only that but your quality of vectors goes up, since passing trucks won't break your lock on satellites. I always like to find a park, schoolyard, or open field for my base.?ÿ ?ÿI've never taken any special security precautions beyond that.

?ÿ

The base is on a standard 5/8" prism pole that is fixed to the truck. The base is locked to the truck with a cable and a master lock.

Jim's the one who gave me the idea originally. He gets all the credit.

I work in rural areas and find a local landowner and setup away from stock and of course the public.?ÿ The landowners are always receptive?ÿ?ÿ

I often find a solid tantalised post and drive a roof screw into the top and screw a tribrach to that

The screw might need whittling down to fit the thread but an electric drill and large file makes short work of the that?ÿ

Sharpen a 7" piece of 5/8_11 allthread,

Drive it into the top of a solid wood post. Cut off w/ hacksaw, the mangled part, from driving it. Makes it easy to find.

For Javad, it's 1/4" dia allthread.

Nate

Put a nut on top and the threads won't get mangled. 

So let me get this straight,?ÿ you drive a piece of all thread into a post and spin your base unit onto it.........?

And that stops theft how.......?

Just spin the receiver lefty-loosey and voila it is not secure.

Well, then put a trash bag or a milk jug cut off, over it, and no tripod, and with the base radio hidden on another fence post, with just the whip sticking up, it's pretty well not noticeable.

Psychology...it looks permanently attached. Reduces chance of theft.

I think the idea of locating your base station in a rural area is the best advice.?ÿ I've been using base stations for about 25 years and have never lost a base station to theft.?ÿ

Fortunately I don't survey to much in a high risk area's. Ive been using GPS since the mid 90's and have not lost anything neither have any of the other crews. Of course heard story's that scare the crap outta me. If we do work in a "shady" area we will leave a crew member to watch the base for the day. So my protection is if the radio goes down for any unexpected reason that's my alarm to get back to it ASAP. maybe just been lucky that nothings happened but same note not a lot of the population would even know what they are looking at when they see one. Let alone know how to get rid it. I would think most pawn shops would turn it away unless you had documentation that it is yours to pawn.

Just my 2 cents?ÿ

?ÿ