124 replies to this topic

[audioaficionado]

What cell phone carriers work up at the OSP site?

[WadeH237]

There is no guarantee of cell service at the OSP site.

 

There is very weak signal for both Verizon and AT&T (with Verizon being slightly better).  I have had decent luck with using a cell phone signal booster, particularly on Verizon.

 

Last year, I opened up a guest network for my Starlink and let people connect to it.  It was an experiment to see whether people would take up all the bandwidth or not.  As it turns out, everyone was really good about sharing the network, so I'm planning on doing the same thing this year.  If you configure your phone to use WiFi calling, it'll work with my guest network for getting calls out.  You can also receive calls, but you need to be in range of my WiFi.

[JMW]

I did sponge baths on my 2011 and 2017 OSP trips and washed dishes outside. It’s no different from what I do when backpacking.

 

We have used an Artic Fox 22G travel trailer since 2018 so now my waste water goes into our gray tank. 
 

Low density waste water dispersion plus UV light from sunshine help minimize impact. There isn’t much water involved when you are conserving a 5 gallon water jug.

 

i will have Star Link this year. Already did an 18 night trip and the Internet was great.

[audioaficionado]

Thanks Wade. US Cellular used to work great last time I was there, but they aren't as good as they used to be since they've changed their tower providers. T-Mobile is my carrier and they suck unless you are in an urban environment.

[WadeH237]

I believe that a portable shower as referenced would most likely fall under the category of grey water.

 

The OSP rules don't currently mention this kind of device, but do say that there is no accommodation for dumping RV waste water.  The Forest Service does have specific rules for grey water disposal that you can read here.

 

I will be meeting with the Ochoco National Forest folks in Prineville next week, so I can ask them directly.

 

Note that the OSP rules are made in coordination with the USFS and supercede the normal Forest Service rules, so I'll also check with the other OSP committee folks to see if there are any specific concerns that might come into play, given the high density of camping that we have on site.  Many of the Forest Service dispersed camping rules don't make sense with 500+ folks on site.

I wanted to follow up on this, as the OSP committee met last night.

 

The Forest Service has no specific rule that addresses these kinds of portable showers, so they have no problem with them.  Likewise, there were no concerns from the OSP committee.

 

So if you want to use one, that's no problem.

 

PS: For reference, here is a link to the portable shower that was referenced, so that you don't need to search the topic for it...

[JMW]

I used a portable shower with a pump powered by a rechargeable battery. I would fill a 1 gallon bucket with water warmed up on the portable stove mixed with water out of a jug. I liked that I could see the water level going down and manage to get clean and rinsed before the bucket was empty. We brought four 5 gallon jugs when we stayed for 8 nights for the 2017 Eclipse OSP.

 

Gray water from an RV tank is likely to contain more harmful bacteria than some sudsy water from a shower. 

 

Light water dispersal is likely to trap particles at the surface and evaporate before reaching down to the water table.

[Bill Jensen]

The OSP committee extended registration for the 2024 Oregon Star Party

 

Registration now closes July 6th

You can still take advantage of early registration prices.

WE DO NOT OFFER ANY MORE PURCHASES OF MERCHANDISE.
MERCHANDISE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE TO ORDER. IF YOU’D LIKE ANY MERCHANDISE, YOU MAY BUY AT THE STAR PARTY. QUANTITIES ARE LIMITED.

Early registration allows for:
* Registration for a reduced cost.
* Plan your Star Dinners with our new vendor Hillside Catering

If you miss this last deadline, you can still come. On site registration is $200

Registration ends July 6th.
http://osp.techage.net/registration

[audioaficionado]

How many are registered so far? It used to be several hundred back in the pre covid days.

[Manoj]

How many are registered so far? It used to be several hundred back in the pre covid days.

I am driving down from Canada for the OSP 2024.  It will be my first time attending the OSP which I’ve heard so much about.  I’m hoping I’ll have some kind of cell service as I’d like to keep in touch with my elderly mother. 

Edited by Manoj, 03 July 2024 - 03:59 PM.

[Bill Jensen]

I am driving down from Canada for the OSP 2024.  It will be my first time attending the OSP which I’ve heard so much about.  I’m hoping I’ll have some kind of cell service as I’d like to keep in touch with my elderly mother. 

Manoj, the cell service can be quite spotty. I purchased a cell phone booster, which helped a little bit. The advantage of those is you could use it as you are driving to/from OSP,  as some of the areas during your trip may also have poor cell service. 

 

i have seen starlink rentals as well, for $25 per day, which would give you internet connectivity.

 

a satellite messenger (e.g. garmin in reach) is also possible, but not cheap by any means. 

 

Safe travels! 

[WadeH237]

i have seen starlink rentals as well, for $25 per day, which would give you internet connectivity.

I would add that I have Starlink.  Last year, I set up a guest network at OSP and allowed anyone to connect with the caveat that if people abused it, or it interfered with my own needs, I would have to shut it down.

 

It actually went very well and I had no problems at all, so I am planning on doing it again this year.

 

The intent is very much so that people can keep in touch with family back home, download drivers, etc., and generally get past problems that might otherwise make things difficult on site.  As long as people don't try to do things like streaming media, watch endless YouTube videos, etc., I plan to keep it up.  If you enable WiFI calling on your phone, you can get calls out through it without depending on cell signal.

 

If you are not familiar with the OSP site layout, you will enter the star party area from the east on the NF800 road.  The hub of the event is the activities tent, the info tent, the registration tent, etc.  These are located near the highest point on the 800 road, at the intersection of the short NF802 road that goes a couple of hundred yards north to a small loop.  I set up my motorhome on that short stretch of the NF802 road, on the east side of the road, about half way between the activities tent and the loop.  I usually have a small white board on an easel between the motorhome and the road.  It has the information on it to connect to the guest network.  If you have any problems with it, you can let me know and I can try to help.

[Manoj]

That is good to know thank you! I’m driving down from Vancouver BC and I’m renting a small camper trailer from a rental agency near Redmond. I wasn’t sure about what it would be like hauling a camper trailer along the roads to the OSP but from what I’m getting, there are many people with RVs there and the road it trailer-friendly. I am looking forward to this.

Any advice on where the best place would be to set up my camper trailer? 

[WadeH237]

That is good to know thank you! I’m driving down from Vancouver BC and I’m renting a small camper trailer from a rental agency near Redmond. I wasn’t sure about what it would be like hauling a camper trailer along the roads to the OSP but from what I’m getting, there are many people with RVs there and the road it trailer-friendly. I am looking forward to this.

Any advice on where the best place would be to set up my camper trailer? 

I've taken been taking my 34' Class A motorhome up there for more than 20 years.

 

The roads will accommodate RV's, but do be aware that the last 4 miles are remote Forest Service roads that are very different from normal streets.  They are dirt and gravel.  For about 2.5 miles, the road is plenty wide enough for vehicles in both directions, but the last 1.5 miles are much narrower (and also steeper and curvier) and if you meet oncoming traffic, someone will have to give way.

 

Also, the dirt and gravel surface varies from pretty smooth to serious washboard.  If you are not familiar with pulling a trailer, one of the things to remember is that they don't have the nice, smooth suspension that a car has.  When you feel your vehicle shaking on the washboard, remember the the trailer is getting it worse, so go slow and easy.

 

One of my favorite parts of the drive is at the very end.  About 1.5 miles after turning onto the NF800 road, the last curve will be a very sharp turn to the right into a large clearing.  Everything opens up, and you will see the star party about 1/4 mile up the road, at the top of the hill.  I'm often the first one up on site ahead of the star party, and I still get a really great feeling after that last turn, even when the temporary city that is OSP hasn't been set up yet.

 

Once you get into that wide open area, please slow way down.  The road is on pretty good shape, and it would be easy to drive 30mph or more on it, but remember that it is very dusty.  Please go slow enough that you raise minimal dust - less than 5mph.  There is no rush to finish that last 1/4 mile, and the dust is not great for everyone's optics.

 

Regarding a place to set up the trailer, there is lots of room, so you will not have any problem finding a spot, and there is no need to be crowded if you like space.  You will want to set up along either the main entrance road, or along the short 802 road between the activities tent and the loop.  The 802 road fills up fast and is one of the few places that gets crowded, so there may not be any spots there, depending on when you arrive.  The other place that gets crowded is on the south side of the entrance road, just past the intersection.  Traditionally, that has been the astrophotography area (although you don't need to be an astrophotographer to set up there, and you are welcome to set up for imaging in other places, too).  There are two dirt roads at the very north end of the site, but with a trailer you should stick to the gravel roads.  Your trailer wheels need to be within 100' of the center of the gravel road.

 

The site is part of the Ochoco National Forest and is generally available year round for dispersed camping.  Because of that, early OSP arrivals start well ahead of the star party.  There are some areas reserved for star party infrastructure, or limited by the Forest Service.  We will have all of them marked off by the weekend ahead of the start date.

 

If you (or anyone) wants to arrive early, before things are marked off, I'll already be there and would be happy to help find a place to set up that won't be in an reserved area.

 

We're looking forward to seeing you up there!
 

[Bill Jensen]

Manoj, Wade gave you a ton of good info above.

 

And as he said, the last turn opens up to that last turn to the right and you see that wonderful wide expanse, leading to the star party. 

 

I started going to OSP in 1996, flying in and then renting a car. After a few years I started to splurge and rented trailers and motorized RVs in Redmond and Bend. All the comforts of home at 5K feet high!  

 

There are some decent grocery stores in Redmond (such as Safeway) and a couple of stores also in Prineville. Treat yourself to a Starbucks at the western edge of Prineville, for the remaining 40 miles beyond to the site , or if you want something local, stop at the Tastee Treet in the center of Prineville, good ice cream and more. 

 

If you have some time just north of Redmond is Smith Rock State Park. worth a visit . 

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[RedshiftRob]

I see that the Bino and Intermediate observing lists have been uploaded...  Any news on the Beginner List?  It looks like the link format was changed to match the other 2024 lists, but the link itself still says 2023 and goes to last years list...

 

Thanks.

 

-Stephen

[Manoj]

Manoj, Wade gave you a ton of good info above.

 

And as he said, the last turn opens up to that last turn to the right and you see that wonderful wide expanse, leading to the star party. 

 

I started going to OSP in 1996, flying in and then renting a car. After a few years I started to splurge and rented trailers and motorized RVs in Redmond and Bend. All the comforts of home at 5K feet high!  

 

There are some decent grocery stores in Redmond (such as Safeway) and a couple of stores also in Prineville. Treat yourself to a Starbucks at the western edge of Prineville, for the remaining 40 miles beyond to the site , or if you want something local, stop at the Tastee Treet in the center of Prineville, good ice cream and more. 

 

If you have some time just north of Redmond is Smith Rock State Park. worth a visit . 

Hi Bill,

Thank you very much for this. My son is also coming, but he’s not an astronomer. He does like photography, however, and he is looking into doing some day trips from the OSP site to partaken his photography Hobby. The information you gave me is helpful… especially the Starbucks location! as I don’t do well without my daily dose of caffeine.

[Bill Jensen]

Hi Bill,

Thank you very much for this. My son is also coming, but he’s not an astronomer. He does like photography, however, and he is looking into doing some day trips from the OSP site to partaken his photography Hobby. The information you gave me is helpful… especially the Starbucks location! as I don’t do well without my daily dose of caffeine.

Another spot (which I had not visited, given my focus on spending as much time at OSP as possible) is the painted hills area, which he may be interested in visiting. 

https://www.nps.gov/...-hills-unit.htm

 

However, if he has an interest in photography I strongly suggest that he bring a wide, fast lens on his camera body, and just take some Milky Way shots. I am not that good, but this is a sample. 

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[Vincent P]

First-timer here; I will be coming this year.
 

I am planning on camping with my tent. Has anyone here camped with their tent in the past?

I won't be able to arrive on the very first day but a day or two after the event begins. Would that be an issue? Are the tent spots limited?

I would prefer to have some shade over my tent.
 

Thank you, everyone.

[WadeH237]

Welcome!

 

There is a tree line to the north of the main part of the star party, and also an area off to the northwest.  Most tent campers set up in the trees, but there are a few up in the main area.  If you are going to set up anywhere other than under trees, I would strongly consider getting some aluminet to cover it.

 

There is also the issue of pitching your tent.  I've not tent camped at OSP, but I used to bring an observatory tent.  It gets windy in the afternoons, and there are frequent dust devils (some of them pretty strong).  You want a tent that handles wind well, and you need to anchor it down well.  The problem with anchoring it is that it's almost impossible to drive stakes into the ground.  It's all loose dust and rocks.  What usually happens is that you get the stake down an inch or two, and then it hits a rock.  The impact loosens the soil, and you have to find a new spot for the stake.

 

I believe that the stake situation is much better down at the tree line.  I've never tried to drive a stake there, but the nature of the ground is very different from in the main area.

 

The first year or two that I had my observatory tent up there, I put heavy rock bags (80 to 100lb) into each corner and at the center of each side of the long edge.  That worked pretty well, so I made it a bit cleaner by making 6 ground boards.  I installed and eye bolt on each.  I then anchored the tent to the ground board and put the rock bags on them, instead of inside the tent.

 

As for arriving a few days after the event starts, that shouldn't be a problem.  There is plenty of space for everyone, both in the main star party and also for tenting at the tree line.

 

Oh, and the last thing is that if you tent at the tree line, the area is "once in/once out".  You're allowed to drive a car, pickup or van down once to set up, and then once again to pack up.  If you want to be able to drive in and out, you will need to park near one of the roads.

[Astro One]

I've got six or seven eyepieces I'd like to sell and some 20 x 90mm Oberwerk Binocs with a Universal Parallelogram mount. Will there be an opportunity to sell used gear?   Also, will there be plenty of folks with large aperture, say 22" and up who'll let me have some looks?  It's a long drive, but I am considering it. I just sold my 15" Obsession but still love to be under a dark sky.

[WadeH237]

We have a swap meet where you can bring your eyepieces and binos.

 

And there will be lots of 22+ inch scopes on site.  Most folks are happy to share views, as long as they are not working on some specific project.

[Boyd Levet]

Somewhere in the thread, there was a mention of requiring coffee.  This year, we have a full-on BLD Cafeteria that also features espresso, day and night.  Barista on duty for specialties too.

Edited by Boyd Levet, 10 July 2024 - 05:54 PM.

[JMW]

I stayed up late (3:30 - 4AM) most nights at the Golden State star party. I liked having the Fantastic fan open and pushing cool air over the bed while sleeping. I didn't like the bright light coming through the vent in the morning. 

 

I bought a white MAXAir cover to place over the vent over the bed. The cover was white but not opaque. I painted the inside of the cover with Krylon flat back spray paint. Now I can leave the front vent cover open and not worry about sunlight or rain coming through the vent. I can also leave the vent open while driving for times when I don't need to run the air conditioner while driving.

 

My rear fantastic fan already has a large solar panel above it so it didn't need a rain cover.

 

This should help us sleep cooler at night without getting a face full of sunshine in the morning. 

 

I like keeping the front fan blowing air into the trailer when it is parked all summer with the rear fan exhausting the hot air in the back. Should reduce the daytime highs when the trailer is parked.

Edited by JMW, 12 July 2024 - 10:33 PM.

[Amok]

How are the insects? This will be my first year and curious if I need to invest in some spray for mosquitos or gnats?

Edit: asked about early arrival and Wade had already answered my question, thanks. I was thinking about showing up early to help with setup

Edited by Amok, 16 July 2024 - 01:51 AM.

[WadeH237]

Insects are generally not a problem.  I've never needed to use and repellent there and can't remember ever getting bitten.

 

The two main environmental things to care about are dust and wind.  The dust is pervasive.  There's really not much you can do about it.  It gets everywhere.  The wind affects us in two ways.  The wind tends to pick up on the afternoon, and can be pretty strong.  But the bigger wind issue is dust devils.  They can spring up out of nowhere and can be very strong.  The good news is that the wind almost always goes away at night.

 

This year, I would add heat to things to be aware of.  The nearest Weather Underground station is Paulina, OR.  The current 10 day temperature highs are mainly in the mid to upper 90's, with a couple of days breaking 100.  I'm heading up in a couple of days, and am prepared for it to be quite hot.  The trend is for the forecast temperatures to be dropping a bit, so hopefully it will be a bit cooler when the star party actually starts.