Sonoran Desert Camo
... How to blend in
while operating in the desert Southwest.
 
|
Here's the Sonoran Desert wilderness inside the Phoenix city limits! There is a lot going on in these pics. Some of it not so obvious. Most of what you see is creosote bush palo verde trees, sahuaro cactus and sand. The location is 0.3 miles from a highly traveled, very busy city street. If you look closely you might be able to see high tension power lines in the distance. Those are just under one mile from the camera viewpoint. My campsite is just about dead center in the photos. If you were able to see it you'd find a Chevy Astro van, a QRO, all mode all band amateur radio station, and an 80/40m dipole with it's center point 18 feet off the ground. Can you see my operating position? |
|
See the van yet? You see a lot of vertical elements in these photos. Some are cactus. Some are utility poles in the distance. One of them is the 18 ft center support for my asymmetrical dipole. Can you tell which is which? |
|
There's the top of the van. It's dead center on the horizon, below the largest mountain in the center of the photo. Look for the 'hard edge' shape of the top of the van. It's one of the few horizontal visual elements in the photos. The van is facing the right side of the pic, perpendicular to the camera line of sight. The vertical element sticking up from the van is the 18 ft center upright support for my wire dipole. |
 
|
View from the road. Sadly, like a lot of remote areas this area attracts the idiots that dump their old appliances, landscape waste even toxic stuff like old motor oil. The unofficial name I've given to this desert road is 'Purple Couch Road', named as you would guess, because someone dumped a bright purple couch in the desert about 100 yards from here. If you (or one of the idiots) drove by my site this is what you'd see. |
 
|
Maximum Exposure Pic on the far left is the 'best view' any passing 4x4, ATV, hiker or equestrian would ever have while looking directly toward my site, IF they took their eyes off the rough road. And that 'best view' would only last a brief moment. Then as they passed, I would again be blended into the desert by the surrounding foliage Pic on the right is what you would finally see if you were to make your way down the animal trail and come to the clearing where I'm parked. My perimeter alarm(s) would let me know you were coming, long before you knew you had reached me. |
 
|
Asymmetrical 80/40m Dipole The center pole in the above photo supports a wire dipole that is an 80m quarter on one side a 40m quarter on the other side. I use it on all bands, 80 through 10. It yields about 3-4db gain on 20m. These 'flying saucers' are the terminal anchor points for the dipole. They are designed as dog tie-out anchors and have a 6 ft length of wire rope attached. The dipole wires are each tied to a 100 ft length of camo woven parachute cord. So the end result is a slightly inverted V, depending on how far out I'm able to extend the anchors. In an area where there might be 4x4s or dirt bikes, I'll sometimes hang yellow caution tape near eye level on the dipole/guy legs (not shown), or better, move to a more remote spot. |
 
|
My cable reel. Looks like trash. The wire and parachute cord that forms the legs of my dipole, are wound onto old, plastic, wire reels. I found the reels right here in the desert. I've added some wooden chair legs and dowels to make reeling easier. To the casual eye, the reels, even when deployed, look just like another piece of desert trash. A passerby might certainly see it, but it wouldn't look out of the ordinary or desirable in the least. |
   
|
Tall Monsters! These huge 'organ pipes' are Sahuaro Cactus. They are a protected species. Actually, all plants in the desert (or any wilderness) are typically protected. It is unlawful and environmentally irresponsible to remove or deface any vegetation. That includes tying ropes to them. Let the huge monsters live. BIG PLANTS NEED WATER - That means if you find Sahuaros try and camp there. It's usually a little cooler and a little shadier, than areas with plants that don't require as much water. ANIMALS NEED WATER TOO - Be Aware! Most animals will hide, run, shy away, whenever humans approach. But coyotes, big cats, feral dogs, anything that is hungry enough, and that has been forced from it's natural habitat by human incursion, will do whatever necessary to survive. Arm yourself with pepper spray and ALWAYS HAVE AN ESCAPE PLAN! Be prepared to dash into your vehicle for protection. Don't leave food out where animals can smell/see it. Coyotes and Pumas will swoop through campsites with more quiet and stealth than you could ever imagine. MANY domestic poodles and other pet dogs are taken by coyotes and birds of prey every year in the desert. WATCH WHERE YOU WALK! ALWAYS look down at where you are stepping. Snakes are very, very camouflaged and will sit very, very still waiting for their prey to move. If you happen to stick your foot in front of their 'hunting ground' they will very likely strike you out of either fear, defense, or the desire to eat. |
The rest of my life?
www.LumpyMusic.com