82 replies to this topic

[chvvkumar]

That's a level of detail I don't remember.  The only thing i need electricity for is recharging my dew heater battery during the day, and I can just carry that to the outlet if not nearby.  

 

One thing that was surprising, and I can't remember if ti was at Okie-Tex or NSP, was the presence of small cactuses in the ground, blended in with the grass.  They will stab you through a tent floor.  I heard about this and brought a tent footprint made out of indoor/outdoor carpet.  If this doesn't sound familiar from NSP, then it is at Okie-Tex. The more I think of it, the more I think this was at NSP, not Okie-Tex, but not sure.   

 

Also, the ground is a lot harder at Okie-Tex.  I brought screw-in tent stakes for the sandy ground at NSP.  At Okie-Tex, I used regular pound-in stakes.  They held well in the soil.  I'm not sure I could have gotten screw-in stakes into the soil at Okie-Tex.

Thanks for the information! The Prickly pears are an NSP staple so I think that was NSP as well. I normally run off of solar panels and LiFePO4 power stations so I will bring them too in case there is no shore power. As for the stakes, yeah figured the screw stakes will not be useful in most places other than NSP. I will bring my normal stakes.

[mogur]

Been to Okie-Tex twice. Didn't need any more than a 25' extension cord to get power either time. There are big yellow cords throughout the area, with outlets every ten feet or so. My advice is to arrive as early as possible in order to get a good spot. The field gets pretty full after only a couple of days.

 

I also was to NSP circa 2000 and I remember those da*m little cactuses! At Okie-Tex all you need to worry about is the tarantulas. 

[Blastroid]

This will be my 1st Okie-Tex and 1st more than one-night Star Party. Been trying Astrophotography for about 10 years with only good results in the last 2 years. Can't wait to get there and see and learn more. I have watched all the past year's videos of YouTube I could and it looks like my kind of crowd. If you see a tallish loner with a small tan dog come up and say hi. I will try to make the rounds as best I can but will be having foot surgery a few weeks before the event. Wish I could do my noob duty and climb the hill on my first visit. BTW just moved to SE Oklahoma so if you are in that area I am looking to make some new nerd friends. Age 46 M but get along with all types. Cya soon!

Edited by Blastroid, 31 July 2024 - 03:12 PM.

[bigbangbaby]

Okie-Tex has sand burrs. They stick to everything and are extremely painful if you're unlucky enough to get the spikes in a finger or foot. Ask me how I know! lol 

[Joe F Gafford]

The burrs tend to be in the old volleyball court. They like the gravelly soil there. That is a cone zone. People still walk through it. I wear my Red Wings work boots when putting down the field power cords through there. 

 

Joe

Edited by Joe F Gafford, 31 July 2024 - 10:51 PM.

[rsalva1]

Two or three years ago, there were a few tarantulas. They were harmless, just had to be careful, they don’t crawl near you.

[Blastroid]

Two or three years ago, there were a few tarantulas. They were harmless, just had to be careful, they don’t crawl near you.

I believe during the time of this event is migration time for the fury guys. You should only be worried if you look like a female tarantula though. Maybe I will camp in the middle of all yall just to be safe!

[t1duplex]

I'd like to have an Emotional Support Tarantula!

 

John Diller

[MikeTahtib]

Two or three years ago, there were a few tarantulas. They were harmless, just had to be careful, they don’t crawl near you.

When I was there in 2022, there were tarantulas.  They look intimidating, but I remember one guy explaining how docile they were, and picked one up and was letting it crawl over his hand.  Something happened, and the guy freaked out, and shook it off his hand, so I don't really recommend picking them up.  Apparently, they are not poisonous, but they can bite, and they can carry bacteria in their spit that can cause you problems.  I never saw one in my tent or on my stuff.  There were also a lot of grasshoppers, of many varieties.  They also seemed harmless.  I don't remember any black flies or mosquitos.  I'm going back, unconcerned about the wildlife.  I will shake out my shoes before putting them on, however.

[chvvkumar]

When I was there in 2022, there were tarantulas.  They look intimidating, but I remember one guy explaining how docile they were, and picked one up and was letting it crawl over his hand.  Something happened, and the guy freaked out, and shook it off his hand, so I don't really recommend picking them up.  Apparently, they are not poisonous, but they can bite, and they can carry bacteria in their spit that can cause you problems.  I never saw one in my tent or on my stuff.  There were also a lot of grasshoppers, of many varieties.  They also seemed harmless.  I don't remember any black flies or mosquitos.  I'm going back, unconcerned about the wildlife.  I will shake out my shoes before putting them on, however.

I sleep in my car when camping and I make it a habit to keep my shoes in the car with me. Or when tent camping, I keep them in my tent. Tarantulas, I am not too concerned about but I am deadly scared of any snakes getting in my shoes for warmth.

[Bob W4]

That's a level of detail I don't remember.  The only thing i need electricity for is recharging my dew heater battery during the day, and I can just carry that to the outlet if not nearby.  

 

One thing that was surprising, and I can't remember if ti was at Okie-Tex or NSP, was the presence of small cactuses in the ground, blended in with the grass.  They will stab you through a tent floor.  I heard about this and brought a tent footprint made out of indoor/outdoor carpet.  If this doesn't sound familiar from NSP, then it is at Okie-Tex. The more I think of it, the more I think this was at NSP, not Okie-Tex, but not sure.   

 

Also, the ground is a lot harder at Okie-Tex.  I brought screw-in tent stakes for the sandy ground at NSP.  At Okie-Tex, I used regular pound-in stakes.  They held well in the soil.  I'm not sure I could have gotten screw-in stakes into the soil at Okie-Tex.

The small prickly pear cacti are most definitely NSP.  I am on the VERGE of registering for my first Okie-Tex.  Maybe, just maybe will see you and Kumar there,

[Joe F Gafford]

Signed up, finally. Hopefully a better run this year! Rant on forces attempting to prevent me from attending Okie-Tex 2024 in the Off Topic Observatory/ How things change on a dime. This is my fave that I help do the venue setup. One of the setup Minions. 

 

Joe

[blueplanetphoto]

I'm registering for first time at Okie-Tex, also participating as a vendor. Looking forward to it.

[Daniel Dance]

Is there anyone going to be there on Monday, October 7th?  I'm doing my regular west trip and renting a ranch in the middle of the darkest skies in Utah (Capitol Reef / Escalante region) for a week, but on the way back East, I'll be passing through Black Mesa.

 

Thanks

[Joe F Gafford]

Is there anyone going to be there on Monday, October 7th?  I'm doing my regular west trip and renting a ranch in the middle of the darkest skies in Utah (Capitol Reef / Escalante region) for a week, but on the way back East, I'll be passing through Black Mesa.

 

Thanks

Nobody will be there. We all have to leave Camp Billy Joe before 10:00 AM on Saturday, Oct 5th. Check out the other accommodations in the area.  http://www.okie-tex....comodations.php

 

Joe

Edited by Joe F Gafford, 13 August 2024 - 04:50 PM.

[MAPastro]

I'm attending Okie-Tex for the first time this year and I noticed a comment I would like an opinion on.  Someone noted glow in the dark tape and that nobody complained, indicating that its a point of concern.  I have used this kind of tape for years now and never had an issue. Is this really a cause for concern? I find the tape far less noticeable than the bright red field markers folks use to indicate equipment. Any seasoned vets to Okie-Tex have advice on the matter?

[Joe F Gafford]

I'm attending Okie-Tex for the first time this year and I noticed a comment I would like an opinion on.  Someone noted glow in the dark tape and that nobody complained, indicating that its a point of concern.  I have used this kind of tape for years now and never had an issue. Is this really a cause for concern? I find the tape far less noticeable than the bright red field markers folks use to indicate equipment. Any seasoned vets to Okie-Tex have advice on the matter?

The tape you mentioned is no concern. It is far dimmer than the cameras, mounts and power supplies blinking lights and certain computer screens. The tape reminds me of the green glow foxfire fungus from the rotted tree roots I dug up one year at the cabin. 

 

Joe

[MikeTahtib]

I'm attending Okie-Tex for the first time this year and I noticed a comment I would like an opinion on.  Someone noted glow in the dark tape and that nobody complained, indicating that its a point of concern.  I have used this kind of tape for years now and never had an issue. Is this really a cause for concern? I find the tape far less noticeable than the bright red field markers folks use to indicate equipment. Any seasoned vets to Okie-Tex have advice on the matter?

That was my comment.  I did not see a problem with the glow tape, it was dim and far less harmful than some of the crazy bright red headlights some people use.  I was surprised to see it though, because it seems like some people are fanatical about the red-light rule, and I wondered if there were people who would get upset about it.  Maybe not, though.

[bunyon]

I’m also in the “very dim glow tape” is fine. The key is very dim. We need to kill the “red is good” philosophy. Dim red is good. Really bright red kills night vision efficiently.

[Daniel Dance]

I think people just need to lighten up.  There seems to be an immense sense of entitlement that increases with growing aperture and dimmer objects.  If you really want to observe in a place that has zero light pollution or nearby lights, then drive 2 miles away from the star party in the middle of the desert somewhere and observe by yourself.

  

Star parties are community gatherings and with communities there are going to be people using lights for whatever.  To expect everyone to follow some ridiculous set of rules on what lights they can and can't use, is just . . well . . . ridiculous.

Sure, there are some generalized rules on what lights to use and what not to use, but when i see people asking about using dim glow tape, that's just absurd that they even *have* to ask about that.

  

That's the main reason i don't go to Cherry Springs anymore.  After I saw some azzhole break someone's windshield for accidentally turning the headlights on in their car during a star party, i lost all enjoyment in going to that particular park.

Edited by Daniel Dance, 18 August 2024 - 08:35 AM.

[mogur]

I think people just need to lighten up.  There seems to be an immense sense of entitlement that increases with growing aperture and dimmer objects.  If you really want to observe in a place that has zero light pollution or nearby lights, then drive 2 miles away from the star party in the middle of the desert somewhere and observe by yourself.

  

Star parties are community gatherings and with communities there are going to be people using lights for whatever.  To expect everyone to follow some ridiculous set of rules on what lights they can and can't use, is just . . well . . . ridiculous.

Sure, there are some generalized rules on what lights to use and what not to use, but when i see people asking about using dim glow tape, that's just absurd that they even *have* to ask about that.

  

That's the main reason i don't go to Cherry Springs anymore.  After I saw some azzhole break someone's windshield for accidentally turning the headlights on in their car during a star party, i lost all enjoyment in going to that particular park.

Spoken like a true astrophotographer. The worst offenders!

[rjacks]

I think people just need to lighten up.  There seems to be an immense sense of entitlement that increases with growing aperture and dimmer objects.  If you really want to observe in a place that has zero light pollution or nearby lights, then drive 2 miles away from the star party in the middle of the desert somewhere and observe by yourself.

  

Star parties are community gatherings and with communities there are going to be people using lights for whatever.  To expect everyone to follow some ridiculous set of rules on what lights they can and can't use, is just . . well . . . ridiculous.

Sure, there are some generalized rules on what lights to use and what not to use, but when i see people asking about using dim glow tape, that's just absurd that they even *have* to ask about that.

  

That's the main reason i don't go to Cherry Springs anymore.  After I saw some azzhole break someone's windshield for accidentally turning the headlights on in their car during a star party, i lost all enjoyment in going to that particular park.

Another way to look at this is: if you don't like the rules, don't go. No one is making you. You could go two miles away and photograph by yourself. Just pointing out the logical flaws in your argument. Your philosophy could be interpreted as: visual observers are just going to have to put up with light and not worry about dark adaption. So, who's entitled?

[blueplanetphoto]

So inviting. I can’t wait.

[ABQJeff]

Registered!!  Crossing fingers, I stayed away last year due to weather.

 

I went in 2022, great time, no tarantulas that I spotted, just lots of flies. On critters, just remember to zip up your tents so zipper is on top.

 

As far as lighting, as long as red light doesn't hurt to look at it with dark adapted eyes and it is pointed down, you will be fine, faint glow in the dark tape on tripod legs, cables, etc. will be fine.  And the attendees are nice enough they won't break windows or hurl insults if there is an accidental light discharge (from opening a door, or head lamp accidentally get switched to white or a very bright red), but you will get groans and/or gentle reminder.

[rsalva1]

I can’t help but wonder when they'll start carving out special spots for astrophotographers and visual observers—though I'm still on the fence about those EAA folks.